The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-04-05

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ty they can he separated. The lamb fol
lows the Indian girl in direct disobedenct
and neglect of its mothers call. Domes
tic cats are few they cannot live on high
elevations.
Droves of Jackasses pass, loaded with
small raw-hide bags, filled with quicksilver
Tor the mines of Cerro de Pasco; many
fine mules are dashing down the narrow
road;the drover tells me he's from lea, bound
to the Cerro Pasco mines, where he trades
mules for silver, lea is situated inland
from Pisco on the coast.
We ascend the top of mountain and
see perpetual SNOW in all directions, over.
hung with heavy, black, cumuus clouds,
above which the cirrus shoot upwards; in
the zenith the sky is clear and of the
deepest blue. A clear snow water lake
is speckled with white wild geese and
black wild ducks tad-poles but no fish
were to be seen.
The Lama is pasturing and giving
birth to its young, close under the per.
petual snow line. They occup1 the use,
tul position among the aboriginal race o.
South America, that the camel does to the
wandering man in Arabia. They carry
loads Of one hundred pounds over roads
too dangerous for the mule or the ass
and to climb mountains difficult for man
They are principally used for conveying
silver from the mines. When one lags
behind or lies down on the road, the In
dian talks to it and pursuades it to forget
its fatigue and get up again. They hang
little bells about their graceful necks and
decorate the tips of their ears with bits ol
coiored ribbon. Their dispositions, like
those OF their masters, are gentle and in
offensive, except when too much hurried
then they cast saliva at the Indians or at
each other. This is their only offence. 1t
Is thought to be poisonous. Their food is
the mountain grass, which they never
IL Ike az night; the loads are taken off at
midday that they may feed, They seek
tho cold regions Of the Andes; nature has
provided warm fleece of wool, and they
need no shelter. Though they are feeble
animals, their usual daily travel is about
fifteen miles; but after three or four DAYS
journey they must have rest, or they
perish on the road. The motion of their
head and neck as they cross the mountain
crags may be likened to that of the swan
as It floats over smooth water.
Huanaco is known by its being rather
larger than the Lama; it is said 20 be
| difficult to train, even if taken when
young. 1t never gives up its ideas o
liberty, and will regain its companions
whenever All opportunity admits.
The Alpaca is the smallest of the fam.
lily, with the finest long wool. Its body
resembles the sheep, with the head and
neck CT the Lama. Jose tells me they
are good TO cat; but like the Others, the
meat is not very palatable. Alpaca wool
Is well known in the markets. In South
Peru and Boiiva, great numbers Of these
new world animals are raised.
After Il long and tiresome descent, we
halted in the main plaza Of the town of
lluancavelica, in front of small shop
on the corner. Drawing out letter Of
introduction To the owner Of the house,
handcd 1t to a very pretty young wo-
man seated in the doorway sewing. She
invited me in, and ! followed to the bed
room Of her husband, who was mapping
There were so many female dresses hang
around, was obliged to be seated on
the bed. The husband shook hands,
gapcd, and then laughed. lie said he
wa1 very glad to see me, that everything
in his house was mine. Our baggage
was put into room, and preparations at
once made for dinner.
While | was resting, an officer with n
gold laced cap, gray trowsers and halt
buttoned military jacket came in, and en-.
quired from whence came and said rs he
was a Lieutenant of Police he would thank
me to show him my passport. In return, h ,
was asked whether, in his opinion, the
world was not sufficiently civilized to
pass without such documents 1t is very
certain the Lieutenant never had such u
question put to him before told him to
call when my baggage was unpacked, but
never saw him again. Though heard that
Don had been told that North A.
mericans required different treatment
from ,ho'e OF some other parts OF the
world, they did not know what passports
meant, Notwithstanding they were a very
intelligent people"
The town Of lIuancaveica has a popu-
lation OF about eight thousand, and is
"ituated in deep ravine, amidst cluster
OF lofty peaks. 1t is the capital of the
Department, and was named 10y the Incas /;
counts six churches, a hospital, ,and coIcdge
for young men,in which physics, chemistry
and mineralogy are taught. The plaza is
adorned with fountain ofstone; a cathe.
dral stands by the side of the mountain of
stone; cathedral stands by the side of
the mountain Of Cinnabar, which contains
the celebrated quicksilver mine of Santa
Barbara. Climbing up this mountain, we
camo to a doorway fifteen feet high and
twelve wide, carved in the sandstone. The
entrance, on the southwest side Of the
peak, was like railroad tunnel. The
eternal glaciers are at this doorway; lei.
cles hung over head, and sheets Of ics
spread under our feet; sooty faced, roupl,
looking Indians taundled wheelbarrows
loaded with quicksilver ore.
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