Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/141

CH. VIII.] lawn, shaded with two or three large trees, under which we reposed, consoling our appetites with maize-fritters, tomates, and other light refreshments which the place afforded. Six leagues from hence, is the village of Los Esclavos, which we reached about five o'clock in the evening; passing over a fine stone bridge of five arches thrown across a foaming cataract rather than a river. This architectural work, which appeared to be the only one that I had seen, since my landing, as a structure worthy of remark, and as testifying the civilization of the country, was erected so late as the year 1792, and repaired in 1810. The village itself is a poor place, consisting, chiefly, of Indians who are employed in agriculture. It was formerly of much greater consequence; and, independently of the bridge, the road in and out of the town is not only good, but has the appearance of being actually kept in repair;—a circumstance which, I since understood, is, in some