Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/400

380 bridge over the pass alluded to: the road might also be shortened in other spots by the same simple process. The last two leagues of this journey are as rapid in its descent as the former in its rise: you continue proceeding downwards till you arrive at the hamlet of Encuentros, which means the meeting of the waters of the Motagua and Mancegua, two fine abundant rivers. You plunge all at once into a tropical climate: vegetation becomes so thick that you can scarcely make your way amongst it: the palms and bananas and other tropical shrubs hem in the narrow path, till at length you see, when you arrive at their very doors, the few cane cottages and mud built huts which form the village of Encuentros.