JOURNEY. 



375 



they had made but little progress. In one 

 of these falls my thermometer was broken, 

 although most carefully wrapped up in flannel. 

 It is hardly possible to convey these' instru- 

 ments safely over the mountains, as so many 

 unforeseen accidents occur. — I here had the 

 luxury of shaving, v^hich I had not enjoyed 

 during my journey ; and after a bath in a 

 neighbouring brook, found myself much re- 

 freshed. 



Jan, 8th. At daylight commenced making 

 preparations to start ; but, unfortunately, one 

 of Lieutenant Ortegas' mules had strayed into 

 the woods, and could not be caught by the men 

 sent in pursuit ; but on application to the Al- 

 calde, an old black man, we obtained some 

 dogs and men, accustomed to the woods, and, 

 after two hours' delay, secured the animal. 

 About nine o'clock we mounted, and left La 

 Balsa, being informed that there was a good 

 road for mules all the way to Cartago ; but, 

 oh ! how terribly were we deceived I Scarcely 

 had we proceeded a mile when we found the 

 roads execrable ; mud to the girths, and so 

 slippery that the mules were constantly falling, 

 to the imminent risk of our necks. At last we 



