( 217 ) 



from which it is invariably separated by a stratum of vegetable 

 earth unequal in thickness; it has more the appearance of a thin 

 bed of quartz subsequently shattered into innumerable fragments. 



Having taken leave of the administrator, I proceeded through a 

 continuation of mountainous and sterile country, very thinly inha- 

 bited. 1 stopt at one of the best of the few miserable houses on 

 the road to procure some refreshment. There was a half-starved 

 cat in the door-Avay, the sight of which plainly evinced to me 

 what I had to expect. Poor animal, thought I, the habitation in 

 which thou existest, will not afford maintenance for a mouse, much 

 less for thee! While musing on this picture of distress and famine, 

 a poor meagre woman came to the door, of whom I requested a 

 little water, which she brought me, and while I was drinking it she 

 began to implore charity. Her countenance had already expressed 

 what her tongue now uttered : I gave her the few provisions my 

 soldiers had with them, together with a small piece of money, and 

 took leave; — the last words I heard from her were those of gra- 

 titude. 



Ere we arrived at this place, we had seen Tejuco at full twelve 

 miles distance, and were now much nearer. We crossed two rapid 

 rivulets, one of them called Rio Negro, the waters of which were of 

 a very black colour, and afterwards passed a guard-house, or register, 

 called Mielho Verde, situated near a stream of the same name, 

 formerly much noted for diamonds. Here a band of soldiers are 

 stationed, who are always on the alert, riding after and examining 

 passengers; The country is extremely rough, and destitute of vege- 

 tation, covered in all directions with grit-stone rocks full of rounded 

 quartzose pebbles. W e rode two miles along the Corvinha de St. 

 Francisco, which runs through the ravine at the foot of the mount- 

 ain on the side of which Tejuco is built, presenting much the 

 same appearance as Villa Rica. I entered the town, and took up 

 my abode at the best inn, which contained some neat rooms, and 

 afforded tolerable accommodations. 



