The road passed over the level but narrow plain, bounded on one side by lofty hills, and on the other by the Cordillera.

The next day we turned up the valley of the Rio Cachapual, in which the hot-baths of Cauquenes, long celebrated for their medicinal properties, are situated.

The suspension bridges, in the less frequented parts, are generally taken down during the winter when the rivers are low.

Such was the case in this valley, and we were therefore obliged to cross the stream on horseback.

This is rather disagreeable, for the foaming water, though not deep, rushes so quickly over the bed of large rounded stones, that one's head becomes quite confused, and it is difficult even to perceive whether the horse is moving onward or standing still.