In Search of an Unknown Race — page 98: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 VAN. eranite blocks and slabs held together by and covered with a sort of pitchy asphalt which had hardened into the consistency of the stone itself. At intervals of ten and fifteen miles small houses of entertainment were placed, at one of which the party stopped for the night. There was nothing out of the ordinary in its surroundings, unless I except the natural ~ boiling springs which had hollowed out for themselves circular chasms in the rocks behind the little inn. Over these a rude house had been built, and here the three adventurers enjoyed a much needed and refreshing bath. At the respectful request of Quipo, their ragged, travel- stained clothing was left outside the bath house. And when it was time to dress, an agreeable surprise awaited them. Their rags had disappeared, and in their place were suits of clean, cool linen. If not stylish in cut, the gar- ments were eminently suited to the warmer temperature which they were told to expect on the morrow, as the road gradually sloped down to their final destination. There was no particular mystery about the matter, but simply an illustration of Mr. Richard Briscoe’s fore- thought. Both himself and Martin had been permitted to retain their European style of dress, which in effect did not differ so very much from that worn in Itambez. Similar clothing had been prepared for his nephew and the two others, each differing slightly in quality, that intended for Van being by far the finest, and forwarded to the mountain house by a runner from the city. A small, silent man, who in dress and appearance resembled one of the better class Mexicans, officiated CONNIE OO KS. e