The distance from the posta was about six leagues, over a level plain of the same character as before.

The ride was, however, interesting, as the mountain began to show its true form.

When we reached the foot of the main ridge, we had much difficulty in finding any water, and we thought we should have been obliged to have passed the night without any.

At last we discovered some by looking close to the mountain, for at the distance even of a few hundred yards, the streamlets were buried and entirely lost in the friable calcareous stone and loose detritus.

I do not think Nature ever made a more solitary, desolate pile of rock;--it well deserves its name of Hurtado, or separated.