Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/21

 until further orders. I was then conducted through fifty different towns: the governor of each allotting me a fresh guard, to convey me through their repetitive districts to the place of my confinement; every guard also renewed my setters, so that in one day I had frequently half a dozen different pairs of irons upon me.

At length we arrived at my destined place, the town of Guatimala or rather of Larmeta: for Guatimala formerly the capital of the province, and the residence of the Spanish president or governor of the southern province of New Spain, had lately been destroyed by an earthquake, and its inhabitants had begun to build themselves habitations at a convenient place; a few miles distant from it, which they called Larmeta. On our arrival here my guards conducted me to the entrance of a subterraneous dungeon, and there ordered me to dismount my steed. This being done, a ponderous door was opened, which presented to my view a gloomy passage under ground, into which we immediately entered and the door was firmly secured again. Being now enlightened by candles, we walked a few yards forward, by a gradual descent, and came to another door which was instantly thrown open till we passed it; after which it was again secured    In this manner we passed four stupendous doors; after which we arrived upon level ground, in a large subterraneous dungeon, the dismal habitation of murderers,