He concluded to take a look at the stream himself and so form his own opinion.

For this purpose he went to Toledo and found there a narrow, turbulent river, rushing over great masses of rock.

He hired a mule and rode several miles down its banks and discovered no improvement.

In making inquiries of the natives about the character of the river, the invariable answer was, "Mucho malo, Senor; mucho malo." "Very bad, sir; very bad." Boyton was far from liking the looks of the river; but made up his mind to try it anyhow, especially as everyone told him he could not do it.
After deciding on a course, he returned to Madrid and witnessed the fetes attending the marriage of King Alfonso and Queen Mercedes.

The young King took great interest in the proposed voyage; he sent word over the country that the American was the guest of all Spain, and requested his people to receive him hospitably.