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186 below. Victoria experienced this when attacked by a regular force under Miyares, (as stated in the sketch of the Revolution,) against whom he tried in vain to maintain his ground: but as a strong hold in a Guerrilla war, the possession of Puente del Rey was of importance, by enabling the Insurgents to cut off the ordinary communication with the Capital, and to bid defiance to small detachments of the Royalist Troops. A sketch of the bridge and surrounding rocks will be found in the first Volume, which, though on a small scale, sufficiently indicates both the beauties and the difficulties of the Pass.

The distance from the Pūēntĕ to Plan del Rio does not exceed six leagues, but we found, on arriving there, that our carriages were, as usual, so very far behind, that it was useless to attempt the ascent to the Ĕncērrō, which commences a little beyond Plan del Rio, without fresh mules. These there was no possibility of obtaining, so that we resolved to halt at once for the day. The luxury of an inn actually built of brick, and subdivided into a number of separate rooms, each with a door opening into the Patio, or Court, and, though without windows, whitewashed, and provided with a small table and a chair, reconciled us to the delay. Such indulgencies were quite unexpected.

There is a fine bridge at the Plan, thrown over a rapid stream, which, in the rainy season, would be impassable without it. It consists of a single arch