It is depressing to see so many evidences of past magnificence and present poverty.

It was almost dusk when, after skirting the edge of a deep gorge, we reached a piece of bad road, where the coach with difficulty made its way, with frightful jolts and pitchings, till we drew up at Venta Colorado.

Here the coach was finally abandoned.

Our animals were packed and mounted, and after fussing and quarreling with our ugly _cochero_ as to whether he or we should carry the bulk of our baggage, we started.

The distance was not great.