Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/704

684 leagues, when an almost precipitous descent leads from the edge of this elevated platform into the valley of Sinapecuaro below. I thought that I should never reach the town, for during a whole hour I saw it below me without being apparently any nearer to it than I was when I commenced the descent. At last we arrived, and, after dismissing my guide, I followed at a rapid passo the road to Mărăvătīo, by which the coach had proceeded, about three hours before me. I overtook the party at Ăcāmbarŏ, (six leagues from Sĭnăpēcuărŏ, and eleven from Ozūmătlān,) and, after taking some refreshment, and changing my horse, we continued our route towards Mărăvătīo, where it was our intention to sleep. We were imprudent enough to loiter some time at Ăcāmbarŏ, in order to see the town, which, though now nearly in ruins, was a place of importance before the civil war; and the consequence was, that we were benighted on our way to Mărăvătīo, (the distance being ten leagues,) where, after losing our road, and wandering over the plains for some hours, we did not arrive till near eleven o'clock. To add to our misfortunes, the cook, who had been sent on in the morning to lay in provisions, and get some rooms ready for our reception, seemed to have experienced the same fate. He was not heard of for three days, when he rejoined us at Tlalpujahua, very nearly starved, his horse having thrown him in the mountains, and made his escape, leaving him to find his way, as he could, to some