THE ROUGH, jagged border line which separates the Domi-
nican Republic from its western neighbor and ancient
enemy, the Republic of Haiti, has been the scene of many
a fearful and bloody encounter, and even today, when an
atmosphere of at least outward tranquillity prevails, the
visitor can feel a sort of mysterious tension in the air. For
here is where two civilizations, two utterly different peo-
ples, have clashed for many, many generations.

It is a wild country. Part of the frontier line runs
through brownish, desert, cactus-covered territory which
is similar to parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Some of
this land is under irrigation, but much of it is as primitive
as it was ages ago. In the northern part of the border coun-
try stand mountains which have an elevation of as much
as 8,000 feet, and the passes through them are traversed
only by trails--and the best way to go is by muleback.
Farther south there is another freak of nature, Lake En-
riquillo, which is more than 160 feet below sea level. Along
the international road which now winds along most of the
border there are forests, cliffs, rivers, and the most star-

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