Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-25

l
Creoles who write As reading have
person in the country occupied, and have
public journal In the plaza the Indians sell barley wheat
maize potatoes, onions, lucee and fruits brought from
the other side the eastern ridge. In blackspith's
shop found the Mestizos burning charcoal and upon
asking whether they used stone COAL they all stopped
work. and with air Of astonishment said they had
coal dug out of the ground, neither
One of them showed piece of charcoal aud inquired
| whether had seen any before? As they were about
| shoenl mule, remained The smith into the
street with shorthandled whip, long lash, and box of
tools, accompanied by four workmen One of them dou
bed hair rope and sung the mules hind foot its tail
In doing there kicking the tools
aside, and the sprghtly mule cruelty whipped
after which the shoe nailed on and the hoof
fit it. The horse-shoes are imported.
This town formerly celebrated for manufacturers Of
beautiful gold and silver ornaments exported to Spain
where they highly priced Old ornaments still for
sale, which of virgin metal Of them curious
limitations Of birds and animals. In the small shops
around the plaza cotton goods sold but there is little
activity in any thing The picture of decay is distress
4 ing. Blind people walk arm in arnxth crpplcs No
sound of busy wheels business is heard deathi
silence pervades both day and night only broken by Tie
chime of enormous seeple bells, when the ragged popu-
aton kneel before altar groaning with the weight of
precious metals The priests, with few exceptions
the only atlookng people in this part Of the country
being taxed for the support Of the Government and
| the church.
frank and agreeable Several of them came to me-
expressed great pleasure at the idea Of advancing
their country by steam navigation. One grey headed
gentleman told me he probably would not live TO see the
result of the expedition, but he believed his would
and daughters too he gave his blessing, which was
quite sincere The Prefect also interested in the
terprise and showed it by presenting maps and furnish
ing many things necessary for passage through
o rough country. We comfortably quartered and
kindly treated by ALL The ladies of Ayacucho hand
some ride well horseback extremely agreeable in
conversation and naturally talented One who boast
of having been in Lima is O wall-hower among
Wi a
point. Some answer serious questions airmatFey at
twelve years of age one of the rstshey asks are you
married." .t.
Sugar and vanilla beans are produced on the eastern
side of the mountains Ice and rock salt brought
from the glaciers in sight with from the valley
Ice cream is made and sold by the Indian in the
plaza Our pistols keep bright and FURNISHED steel
mains in the open air without rustng Grapes, however
are not very fine in quality. Some Of the dishes, cups
spoons, and forks roughly made of solid silver
though there are thought to be few wealthy people in the
city, 5...s. .."... tsas. ...
| On Monday August 4th 1851, at A. NJ, Their. SOC,
vet bulb sac stretches to the eastward again.
over dry unineresting road, hedged in with cactus
bearing the fruit The country is unculyated,
| cept in the valleys es..# ...
We expected an extended view over lands to the east
of our range but when arrived at the ridge in the
gorge mountains beyond mountains, snow peaks
rocky tops deep valleys and narrow ravnes
all thrown about in confused shapes. After travelling
for hours make leagues by the road yet the distance
from the Pacific to the atlantic is short map.
The Peruvian mail passed by from Lima its way to
the Southern departments. The letters carried in
two small hide boxes the back Of fine mule, with q
swallow tail red and white flag flying from short pole
fastened between the trunks. The conductor is well
mounted and armed, scarlet cloak and rides af
ter, while the mounted arriero trots ahead blowing
horn They travel ut quckened pace up hill and down
| should like to overhaul that letter box. But remit
ances are often made by the mail and desire to lool
for the United States letters the road might be con
sdered unlawful. f., 2.
The master of Bombom Posta offered his house, anc
seemed asonshed that did not seek it in preference
our tent. He sent chicken soup and boiled corn fol
supper. flock of kids playing about tent
their faces resemble those of monkeys The Indians killed
large hog, and the women made blood puddings Jose
assured me it good with chcha He to fancy
the custom of living among the Indians. e.,
There is regular wind in this region. Currents OF
air draw in through the mountains from all directions.
Although the clouds far above show wind
able to tell that it comes from any particular direction,
and below it is quite calm. While encamped on these
high places frequent efforts made to distinguish the
satellites of Jupiter by the naked eye; but are not
high enough for that yet though sight is very good
The rivers around flow to point Of the compass and
make it difficult to decide if the waters make the winds,
or the relative positions of the mountains alone
these drafts. The winds very gentle and curl the
hairy clouds in most graceful shapes about the syered
crowned Andes in rich and delicate clusters When the
peak is concealed, except the blue nge below the snow,
natural bridal veil. An easery wind lifts and
them to dark cumulus Clouds settled the frosty
like old mans winter cap. The physiognomi-
1
MED with thunder, and seems to command oil around to
cothe themselves for storms. The cold rain down
in fine drops upon us, the cay grows darker and the
clouds press night close upon the earth Our ocoth hat
and India rubber pouches admired at small
settlement The children at school under shed,
putting their bare feet under them to keep them
they looked they wished school was out The people
better looking travel SOUTH and cheer
full girl slowed Jose's saddlebags with fresh bread
and cheese from doorway, and said she would rather
travel than keep shop Jose said his work wet she
answered hers was too dry.
On the rolling mountains come to grazing again
the focks in the desert, where pass the night
At supper the arriero tells JOSE in Quchua this is dan
gerous country robbers live in numbers among
tain tops. They meet the travellers a. night upon this
unnhabed part of the road and make what terms they
please Their modes of attack differ If they the
party in day time, and know their number, they
boldly up and make their demands II tNC are in doubt
their gua gude) alone, inquiries after the travel
lers' health requests light for his cigar keeping his
eyes about him. After expressing wish to purchase he
returns to his party with full report OF his reconnos
sance, when they attack not The chances they
will steal the mules at pasture during the night Jose
don't feel at is anxious after telling the story
know what we shall do. The plan for the night was
arranged. If the gua came he to be made fast
the baggage he lit his cigar. jose to keep
hot the re arriero 10 sleep with asso at
hand the other watch the mules. Should any ap-
proach the arro instructed to lasso and
haul him in under oses hot water. Richards was armed
with carbine and large ships pistols my double
barrel gun and five shooter with rifle bore, made in
all ten shots.
At midnight jose peeped into the tent and after seye
raj anxious calls said Sr, the gua is coming" Jose
did not admire the general place of action but it was
not changed Upon close examination found the sup
posed guia to be donkey gazing at the fire. The wea-
pons used by the robbers are short thick club sung