ry
engines for the Stockton and Darlington Railway before I left." {193}

Speculation was very rife at the time; and amongst the most promising
adventures were the companies organised for the purpose of working the
gold and silver mines of South America. Great difficulty was experienced
in finding mining engineers capable of carrying out those projects, and
young men of even the most moderate experience were eagerly sought after.
The Columbian Mining Association of London offered an engagement to young
Stephenson, to go out to Mariquita and take charge of the engineering
operations of that company. Robert was himself desirous of accepting it,
but his father said it would first be necessary to ascertain whether the
proposed change would be for his good. His health had been very delicate
for some time, partly occasioned by his rapid growth, but principally
because of his close application to work and study. Father and son
together called upon Dr. Headlam, the eminent physician of Newcastle, to
consult him on the subject. During the examination which ensued, Robert
afterwards used to say that he felt as if he were upon trial for life or
death. To his great relief, the doctor pronounced that a temporary
residence in a warm climate was the very thing likely to be most
beneficial to him. The appointment was accordingly accepted, and, before
many weeks had passed, Robert Stephenson set sail for South America.

After a tolerably prosperous voyage he landed at La Guayra, on the north
coast of Venezuela, on the 23rd July, from thence proceeding to Caraccas,
the capital of the district, about 15 miles inland. There he remained
for two months, unable to proceed in consequence of the wretched state of
the roads in the interior. He contrived, however, to make occasional
excursions in the neighbourhood, with an eye to the mining business on
which he had come. About the beginning of October he set out for Bogota,
the capital of Columbia or New Granada. The distance was about 1200
miles, through a very difficult region, and it was performed entirely
upon mule-back after the fashion of the country.

In the course of the journey Robert visited many of the districts
reported to be rich in minerals, but he met with few traces except of
copper, iron, and coal, with occasional indications of gold and silver.
He found the people ready to furnish information, which, however, when
tested, usually proved worthless. A guide whom he em