Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A FAMOUS 12-ANGLE STONE
Appears in an ancient wall at Cuzco, Peru. Though fitting
so closely that a knife blade cannot be inserted between the stones,
no mortar was used. To this day scientists are puzzled
how the ancient masons fitted these enormous stones.
Vampire bats had often attacked my horses, and I suspected that there were likely to be
some of these pests in this hot, narrow valley. I made enquiries, and when I was told that my
fears were well founded I went into the backyard to sprinkle my horses' backs with a strong
kind of Indian pepper that keeps the bats away. I had already finished with Mancha, and was
approaching whatItooktobeGatointhedark,butbeforeIhadtime tojumpawaytheanimal
had turned and given me a vicious kick with both hind legs, sending me sprawling against the
adobe wall. Both my thighs were numbed bythe violent impact ofthe hoofs,and as Isat there
I wondered what could have caused so tame and gentle a horse as Gato to kick me. I soon
found out that owing to the darkness I had mistaken one of Mr W.'s mules for my horse, and I
had paid the penalty. Luckily there were no bones broken, but I suffered severe pains for quite
a number of days, and after that I took good care to avoid making a similar mistake again.
The name Limatambo is a corruption of the old Quichua name Rimac Tampu (Speaking
Fort) and there are some very interesting ruins in the place.
Not far from this little settlement are the practically unknown ruins of Huatta, but unfortu-
nately time did not permit me to make an expedition to visit them. These ruins, together with
those of Machupichu are said to be the finest in Peru.
