Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-20
TIGERS CAVE.

an adOeatiire among Tee naolntains Of Quito.
Ifanslated from the Danish OF Emquist and the German
Oh porng' by one OF tho Authors OF the "odd Volume
wales aud Legends" SCI
On leaving the Indian village we continued 70 wind
round ChiInbor9 wide base but It's snow crown
ed head no longer shone above us in clear briiancv
lor dense tog was gathering gradually around IT,
Dur guides looked anXously towards il and announ-
ced their apprehensions Of n violent Storm We
SOON found that their fears were well founded. The
Jog rapidly covered and obseured the whole Of the
mountain the atmosphere sutocGtiug and vet so
humid that the steel work of our watches was cover
ed with rust, and tuo watches stOpt. The river be-
side which we were travelling rushed down with s,l
greater mpetuosity and from the cefs of the rocks
which lay the Lett VI our path suddenly pre-
cpitated small rVulets, that bore the roots Of trees
and innumerable serpents, along with them. These
rivulets often came down SO suddenly violently.
that we had difficulty in preserving footing. The
thunder at length began to roll, ard resoundcd thro
The mountainous passes with the most terrific gran
icur. Then the vivid lightning lash follow
ing fash-aboye, around, beneath,--every where a
sea of fire. We sought a monetary shelter in a
Cleft of the rocks, whilst one Of our guides hastened
forward to seek more secure asylum. In n short
time he returned, and informed that ne had dis
covered spacious cavern, which would afford ug
sufficient protection from the elements. We procee
ded thither immediately, and, with GREAT difficulty,
and not little danger, at last got into il.
The noise and raging Of the storm continued with
- much violence, that we could not he the sound
rour voices. ! had placed myself near The entrance
Of the cave, and could observe, through The opening
which was straight and narrow, tue singular scene
without. The highest cedar trees we're struck down,
bent like reeds; monkeys and parrots lay strewef
rpon the ground killed by the falling branches; the
water had collected m the path we had lust passed
and hurried along 1t like mountain stream. From
every thing saw, thought it extremely probable
that we should be obliged to pass some DAYS in this
cavern When the storm, however, had somewhat
hbated, guides ventured out in order 20 scertan
if il were possible to continue our Journey. The
cave IN which we had taken refuge was so e2tramc-
ly dark, that if we moved q few PAGES from the on
trance, VIC could not sec an inch before us, and VIC
debating to the propricty Of leaving il even
before the Indians came back, when We suddenly
heard singular groaung or growing at the further
rnd Of the cavern, which instantly fixed all cur alton
zion. Wharton and myself listened anxiorsly. bnt
Our daring and iHconsidcrate young friend Lincoln
together with my huntsnan, crcpt about upon their
hands and knees, and underworld to discover BY
cropping, from whence the sound proceeded. They
had not advanced arinto the cavern before we heard
them utter exclamation OF sUrpri2e and they re-
turned IN us, c0ch carrying in his arms n aniru;l
sngulary MAIL CL and about the size of cat seem
lngy OF great strength and power, aud furnished with
immense tanys. he eyes were Of Il green dor
strong claws wcr: uron their foct, and biool-rcl
tongue hung out cf tlc.r mouths. Wharton had
scarcely glanced % tncip, when he exclaimed h con
s.ernehon, Good Goli We hlvc como into a den yf
a. lie was rt'rru0'rd BIZ o fearful cry cf dis
may from orr ld.', EJ. ctug rushing precipi'a e,v
towards u5. calling ONT. 90 tiger. t~,.! and - fhe
same fine w.t. c-'.0pt.r1r a,.fi.v. thew climbed
UP cedar tree when stood az the en'rsncc Of tie
cave, and lid themselves among Inc hrtnchcr
After the first sensation ofhorroT and surrrze which
r,ndercd me Diotjoic.s Tor moment, had aibs,5nd
paspei nv IRE a.nl5. Wharton had already rcrains
his compo.Grc and s-pnsses l,0; aa0 he called ~ ~
20 assist him instantly 10 blocking up taeuoutb oftUe
Uave Nifi an ihnnHgc s'ruc which fortunately itt
urarit. Tac scnsc ofapprooc.ing danger augmented
orr strength !,r now distinctly heard tho growl o
tirc tcToc'ora 0ur0d, and wn wore lost beyond 70
d'mpton fi re1 1ad the entrance before we could re-
- closed Ere he was done. VIC could distinctly fe'
ne tiger V1urHrg invord- iic spot. anA Shopping ir
ord"r TO creep INTO his d.a 10y tc narrow opcEing. Al
chs icaru moment cur eTcrt.uns successful and
tn gr-at stone .ay' Che wild hcasi al sav There yr,,
small one. space. however Ion hctrecn The ton oi
tho cr'rgrca ar t6c s'oe, through which &c could
SO The mead o. 'lo 1l''l. Illuminated byi's g.ovioc
eye, which 81 To|'1 1~idg with fury upon us. ~
tngn"n r5aroC too r.no'Js'el 70 tho depths Of thc
"lyHrn, anI wos answered bg inc hosrtc srov'ing al
'Ie cubs, which uinc7" and Foud had nov tossed
isoia iiirDi OK .c."c'os~ ,ncwy attempted frs, p.