DEPARTURE FROM LA MESA. 303 



though, as the event proved, very fortunate- 

 ly enquired if it were necessary to take any 

 provisions for my journey on to Purification; 

 and, on being answered in the affirmative, 

 immediately made purchases necessary for 

 a four days' travelling ; my guide, or capo- 

 ral, having promised to conduct me in that 

 time to Purification. 



At one o'clock I left La Mesa, and jour- 

 neyed onwards through a very picturesque 

 country, where, however, there is but very 

 little cultivation, notwithstanding the ferti- 

 lity of the soil, and the fitness of situation. 

 Still descending, I arrived at Anapoyma at 

 four o'clock, there being no other place, short 

 of a day's journey, where grazing-ground 

 could be found for the mules. Here I found 

 Farenheit's thermometer at 85"* in the shade, 

 a heat so oppressive as to compel me to cast 

 off all flannel and warm apparel, and assume 

 my coolest clothing, with a riband only 



