MENDOZA. 



245 



spontaneous combustion we at once entered 

 the house of La Senora Villa Nueva, and though 

 we should not be said, in London or Paris, to 

 fare sumptuously in her decent establishment, 

 yet if the greatest possible kindness and 

 anxiety to extend our comforts as much as 

 her means will allow, are any compensation for 

 the absence of a good table, we have no right 

 to complain of our sojourn here. Besides, 

 what can be deemed homely, after thirteen 

 days' discomfort on the Pampas ? 



Feb. 12. — Although seven days have elapsed 

 since our arrival, the guide and servant are still 

 missing. I fear the Indians have surprised them ; 

 and if they do not appear very soon I shall begin 

 to despair of them. They ought to have been 

 here five days ago. The sum of our delays 

 upon the road amounted to about three days ; 

 and having reached Mendoza on the thirteenth 



