[CHAPTER VI.]
THE PARADISE OF EARTHQUAKES.—FROM GUAYAQUIL TO QUITO.—A RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.—ALL CLIMATES UNITED IN ONE.—THE PLAINS OF ECUADOR.—CHIMBORAZO AND COTOPAXI.
THE CENTRAL PART OR ECUADOR.
The incident of the breakfast naturally drew their attention to the earthquakes that frequently shake the mountainous parts of South America, and render life and property more uncertain than in regions which are not subject to these disturbances.
"Ecuador may be considered the paradise of the earthquake," said the Doctor, "though it is not much ahead of Peru and Chili in that respect. To give a list of the earthquakes that have destroyed life and property in this country since it first became known to the Spaniards would be to recite a long series of dates; Guayaquil has been shaken up a great many times, but it has suffered less than the capital. Here, at the sea-coast, we are somewhat removed from the centre of the disturbance, but by no means out of its reach."
"We will hope," said Fred, "that the violent earthquakes will postpone themselves until our departure."
Dr. Bronson and Frank emphatically approved Fred's suggestion, and the Doctor proceeded with his comments.