The journey from London to Sta.

Marta in mail boats and the special carriages of the Sta.
Marta coast-line (the only railway so far) had been tolerable--even pleasant--quite tolerable.

But the trip over the mountains to Sulaco was another sort of experience, in an old diligencia over impassable roads skirting awful precipices.
"We have been upset twice in one day on the brink of very deep ravines," he was telling Mrs.Gould in an undertone.

"And when we arrived here at last I don't know what we should have done without your hospitality.
What an out-of-the-way place Sulaco is!--and for a harbour, too! Astonishing!" "Ah, but we are very proud of it.

It used to be historically important.
The highest ecclesiastical court for two viceroyalties, sat here in the olden time," she instructed him with animation.
"I am impressed.