We found the high-road most uninteresting.
For long distances we descended, passing a ranch and emerging finally into a deep, hot gorge.

By the time we reached Pichones we were tired, hot and thirsty.

There, however, we could get no water, for man or beast, for love or money; suffering with thirst, the road seemed long to the river near Totolapa, where we refreshed ourselves with water, but a heavier road than ever had to be traversed.

Much of the way we followed the stream-bed, fording repeatedly; the remainder was through deep sand and over rolling pebbles.

Passing Juanico, on a high bank overlooking the river, at noonday, we were delighted to strike upon a rock road, high on the river bank.