The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1861-05-23
PERILOUS AND THRILLING
EXPLOIT.

THE FIRST ASCENT OF TIE uRuSArHUA.
To those who love to dwell on the horrors
and dangers of an ascent OF Mont. Blanc.
we would recommend a psrRsal OF the
"Scenes ct Paysases dams les Andes" BY
NJ Paul Marcov, in the Rer4s C9aten po-
ruiae. Our space does rot allow US 70 give
the entire thrilling descrip ion of the Uru-
say hus mouniain of Peru. situated in =
neighborhood OF Caxco. bat The following
extract will give sufficient idea OF the per
iloas exploit:
-.At first sight both sides the mountain
appeared absolutely the sane. and equally
inaccessible. but upon closer scrutiny. We
found that. while 10 the right il preseatea an
all but vertical plane, the LEFT side displayed
certain reddish lines. which had much the
appearance oil a natural ight of stars. We
therefor. resolved 10 attempt the esealade
on this side.
On the third day we Arrived at that point
cf the Urasayhus whica ! had often ex.
amined from below. and where Vegetation
having ceased. the bare rock appeared; bat
what had been unable to distinguish, aud
what appeared TO me ~ this moment an
insurnouatable object. was the expansion
of the summit, which gave ii. fifty feet
hi her up. the appearance of y mushroom.
wall. but with one projecting over our heads.
For a moment stood aghast; but, on
examining the rock, | remarked certain
PROJECTIONS, just large enough for mans
foot. and situated at intervals. 50 that. by .
bold stride. one might pass from one to the
other, aud thus reach the opposite side OF
the mountain, where further ascent might
be practicable. The distance TO be got over
did not exceed ffty PAGES, but as the space
was quite denuded of bushes or liauas by
which to take hold. the slightest false step
might precipltate the adventurer into the
valley whore the torrent Hullcamayo was
dashing along at the rate of tea knots an
hour. Nevertheless. | took off my shoes.
fastened rope around my body. giving the
other end to Gaspard to holi. and gradually
reached the third projection.
As was trying to get - the fourth, the
rope l was dragging after me was caught
by something. | turned my head to see
what it was, and in SO doing my eyes en-
conpassed the empty space below. 1t was
ike flash OF lightning. \ confused mass
of verdure danced before me, intersected by
the Hullcanayo, glIttering In the sun like
thread of mercury. | closed my eyes to
avoid the horrible vision, but the vision re-
mained IN me. AMI continued 10 see it
Then | was seized with singing inmy ears;
an nsupportable blast Of heat rosa from my
entrails t. my brain; then ielt M, legs trem-
BILE and my wrists lose strength as if under
The influence of electric pile; an unknown
force superior TO my will made me open my
eyes. and look again at thss river OF liquid
silver. wLiah seemed 10 wr;lhe in lhe san.
Dizziness, the demon of the abyss. had
5lss.-s.---.1s.A------ A6e6-~-.
.n this last moment, whens tfonsaais of
red atoms wefo whirling before ray eyes, |
still had strength enough left to call, Gas
pard. helpi" The brave fellow had seen
The look had involuntarily cast into the
abyss. and guessing what mi ght occur. had,
mprudently Tor himself, but happily ior me-,
he daring To follow me. As my hands,
grasped, were about to lose
hold, he seized me by the nape of the neck,
.aiiing me to take courage. | regained my
elt-posse sion succeeded in retracing nv
tepS, and feeling the gruanI oace more
inier my feet, | swooneI away