Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/280

264 Mrs. Ward performed the journey in a litter, a description of which the accompanying sketch will render unnecessary.

It is by no means an uncomfortable conveyance in a wild country, particularly where riding, or the violent motion of a carriage over roads intersected by gullies, and covered with fragments of rock, must have proved dangerous; as in Mrs. Ward's case, who was at that time so near her first confinement, that she was hardly expected to reach the capital in safety. All the rest of the party rode. At the Mănăntĭāl, we were met by an officer, whom General Bărrăgān, the Governor of the State of Veracruz, had sent to receive us, with a whole cargo of wine, porter, and refreshments of every kind. At Puente del Rey, where we slept the first night, we found a most abundant supper in waiting, and lodgings prepared for us in the only brick house in the place, which had been built since my first visit. At Plan