The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-25

least desire oil iurthet diSturDnig tneii Ddii
quet. These cond0rs were the Only hostile
animals encountered in this part Of the
Puma.
1t was now two o'clock in the afternoon,
and had ridden on continuous though
gradual ascent, since sunrise. My pantirg
mule slackened his pace, and seemed unw'l-
ling to mount a rather steep ascent which
we had now arrived at; To relieve him
dismounted, and began walking at rapid
pace. But soon felt the influence OF the
rarefied atmosphere. and / experienced en-
oppressive sensation which ! had never
known before. stood still ior aiew mo- |
ments to recover myself, and then tried to
advance; but an understandable oppression
overcame me. My heart throbbed audibly;
my breathing was short and interrupted.
worlds weight seemed to lie upon my chest;
my lips swelled and burst; the capillary
vessels Of my eyelids gave way, and blood
flowed from them. In few moments my
senses began to leave me. could neither
see. hear, nor feel distinctly. A grey mist
aoated before my eyes, and felt myself
involved in that struggle between life and
death which, short Time before, fancied
could discern on the face of nature. Had
all the riches Of earth, or the glories- of
heaven, awaited nue. hundred feet higher,
| could not have stretched out my hands 10.
ward them. I
In this half senseless state lay stretched
on the ground, until 81 felt sufficiently Ne
covered to remount my mule. One Of the
Puma storms was nov gathering. thunder
and lightning accompanied heavy fall OF
snow, which very soon lay foot deep on
the ground. In q short time discovered
tina, | had missed my way. Had then
: known the Puma rs we'll as afterwards did.
should have shaped my course by the flight
of birds. But, unluckily, pursued the
fresh track of herd of vicunas, which led
me directly into swamp. My mule sank,
and was unable TO extricate himself. was
/, almost in despair. Nevertheless, | cautious
: iy alighted, and with incredible difficulty
; succeeded in digging out with dagger the
. mud in which the animals legs were firmly
q fixed, and at length | got him back to q
: solid footing. After wandering about in
= various directions, | at length recovered the
right path, which was marked by numerous
skeletons protruding above the snow. These
were the remains of beasts of burthen,
u which had persisted on their Journeys, wei
come, though an ominous guide to the wan
e dering traveller. The clouds now suddenly
Y separated, and the blazing light of the trop
8 ical sun glared dazzlingly OH the white
y plain of snow. In moment, | felt my
l. eyes stricken with surumpe.
N Suffering the most violent pain, and tor
n mented by the apprehension Of blindness,
y with great difficulty pursued my way. Ny
ne mule could scarcely wade through the sward
L. which was becoming more and more thick
re and night was advancing. | had lost al
10 feeling in my feet, my benumbed finger
could scarcely hold the Bride. and wei
u knew that the nearest point at which coult
le obtain the shelter Of human hsbitation
'e was eight German miles distant. / Twas be
n ginning to give myself up for lost, when
IL observed cave beneath an overhangin,
p rock. Mother Nature, in whose service
nt had undertaken my long and perilous wan
"a derings, at that critical luncture, providet
"a for ME retreat. though in one other rudes
4 sheltering places. entered the cave, which
s. protected me securely against the wind ant
m the snow. Having unssddled my mule.
m made bed Of my saddle clothes and pom
l. cho. | tied the animal to stone, ant
whilst he eagerly RECALLED himself with th,
n little grass that was not buried beneath th,
u snow. | satisfied my hunger with some roast
= ed maize and cheese.
D, Exhausted by the fatigue Of the day,
v lay down to sleep; but no sooner had fall
IS en- into slumber, Than | was awakened BY
d violent smarting in my eyes, occasionet
e by the surumps. There was no Longer
5 any hope Of sleep. The night seemed
u endless When the dawn OF morning ap
e peared. made an effort to open my eyes
" which were closed with coagllated blood
}. On looking around me beheld all the hor
n ror OF my situation. A human corpse hac
' servel for my pillow. Shuddering, | wen
in search Of my mule. for ! was eager t.
e hurry from this dismal spot. but my misery
q was lot yet at an end. Tie poor beast Lay
e dead on the ground; in his ravenous hunger
> he had eaten Of the poisonous gartancillo
2 Whar could do In despair | turned bach
; to the cave.
n The sun had now fully risen, and hi.
q genial rays difused warmth over this fro
e zen region. Somewhat reused by the re-
II viving light and life around me, began
l. TO examine the body Of my lifeless compan
e ion. HAPPY, thought |, be may be one oil
II nv own race; traveller who has perishet
}. of cold and hunger. No. He was half
II caste Indian, and many deadly wounds or
his head, showed that he had died Of the
d slings of Indian robbers. who had stripped
;, him even Of his clothes, and concealed tht
q body in the cave.
.. ! ssized my gun and shot rock rabbit
> then collecting some fuel, kindled fire
and roasted the little animal, which afford
q ed me a no very savory breakfast. Their
q waited patiently in the hope that some time
ly help would deliver me from my dreary
IS situation.
'f II wss about noon. heard monoton
. Gus short cry. Wild, Joy recognised the
vell-Enown sound, climbed up the near
est rock, and looking down into hollow,
d perceived two Indians whom he'd seen the
!! day before, driving their llamas to the near
est mine works. prevailed on them by
}, the gift OF a little tobacco. to let me have
9 one oftheir llamas to carry my luggage, and
!. having strewed few handfuls OF Garth o.,