Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-12-22
A PeriIous and Unwilling ExpioIt-The


To those who love to dwell on the horrors
and dangers of an ascent of Mont Blanc, we
would recommend perusal of the "Scenes
ct Paysages dams les Andes" by NJ. Paul
Marcoy,in the Revue Contemporaries. Our
space does not allow US to give the entire
thrilling description of the ascent of the
Urusayhua, q mountain of Perd, situated in
the neighborhood of Cuzco, but the following
extract will give sufficient idea of the por-
ilous exploit:
AT first sight, beth sides of the mountain
appeared absolutely the same, and equally
inaccessible; but upon closer scrutiny, we
found that, while to the right it presented
an all but vertical plane, the left side dis
played certain reddish lines, which had
much the appearance Of a natural fight of
stairs. We therefore resolved to attempt
the escalade on this side.
On The third day we arrived OF that point
Of the Urusayhua which | had often exam
ined from below, and where vegetation
having ceased, the bare rock appeared but
what had been unable to distinguish and
what appeared to me at this moment an in-
surmountable object, was the expansion of
the summit which gave it, fifty feet higher
up, the appearance of a mushroom. We
had no longer to cope with vertical wall,
but with one projecting over our heads. For
a moment we stood aghast; but on exam-
ining the rock, | remarked certain pro-
iections, Just large enough for mani 5 foot,
and situated at intervals, so that, by a bold
stride, one might pass from one to the other,
and thus reach the opposite side of the
| mountain where a further ascent might bo
practicable. The distance to be got over did
not exceed fifty PAGES, but as the space was
lol l. L,- L..
to hold, the slightest false step must precipi-
tate the adventurer into the valley where
the torrent Hullcamayo was dashing along
at the rate of ten knots an hour. Nevertbe-
less, | took off my shoes, fastened O rope
round my body, giving the other end to
| Gsspard TO hold, and gradually reached the
third projection.
As was trying to get to the fourth, the
rope was dragging after me was caught by
something. turned my head to see what
| it was, and in so doing my eyes encompasSed
| the empty space below me 1t was like a
flesh of lightning. A confused mass of ver-
| dure danced before me, intersected by the
| Hullcamayo, glittering in the sun like o
| thread of mercury. | closed my eyes to
! avoid the horrible vision, but the vision re-
mained in me, and | continued to see it.
Then was seized with a singing in my ears;
an insupportable blast of heat rose from my
! enITdllo W my bIdlui tu6u lelL my lcPS
tremble and my wrists lose strength as il
under the influence of an electric pile; an
unknown force, superior to my will, made
me open my eyes and look again at tina
river of liquid silver, which seemed tC
writhe in the sun. Dizziness, the demon o.
the abyss, had seized upon me, and was draw
ing me down.
In this last moment, when thousands O
red atoms were whirling before my eyes,
still had strength enough left to call, "Gas
pard Help p The brave fellow had seer
the look l had Involuntary cast into thu
abyss, and, guessing what might occur had
imprndently for himself but happily for me
the daring to follow me. AS my hands, con
vulsively closed, were about to lose the
hold he seized me by the nap of the neck
calling to me to take courage. l regainet
my selfpossession, succeeded in retracins
my steps and feeling the ground once mort
under my feet, l swoored away.