Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-09-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
A yssNEEs.s .BOEtsNEY ACROSS
B'EfE ANDES.
INCIDENTS OF MOUNTAIN LIFE.

INCIDENTS OF MOUNTAIN LIFE.
Major F. Ignacio Rickard has published
in England an interesting account of his adj
ventures during Il journey across the Andes
from the Pacific side. lie was on his way
to some silver mines in the Argentine Re
public. where he is mining inspector. To
get to San Juan (whcre at present the mining
operations are chiefly carried on) from Val
paraiso is attended during portion of the
year, with no little difficulty or danger,
inasmuch as the Cordillera of the Andes,
which is only passablc for mules is subject
to storms of the most violent description,
| whilst the cold is excessive. But to those
who are willing to brave such obstacles the
author gives ample instructions respecting
the clothing and provisions necessary to be
taken. describes the best mode of packing
goods, and enters into various details which
concern the travellers comfort. Thus. good
port kline he recommends as the only anti
dotes against the effect of the extreme cold,
and advises that cognac he avoided as cspc-
cally injurious. The sleeping uccommoda-
tiOn on the road is eXecrablr, and the trav-
clcr is recommended to take Il light portable
camp 6edstead with mattress and air pillow.
! He would do wisely, also. not to wanGCr
from his guide or companions, as the author
by so doing found himself in the following
| pcrilous condition:
A STORM on THE ANDES.
Allow me to draw long breath before !
begin to describe the last hour of my first
scramble across the Andes by the Cumbre
Pass. Reader, it was tcrritic-ap appalling.
can find no filter words to describe it bat
! | will Illustrate these words, rs they are used
IN the present instance, and try to convey
| to You an idea of thCir sense. As ! have
before said, went on some distance ahead
of my companions, in ordcr to enjoy more
leisurcly amy fine view or other attractive
object. About half way up passed large
troop of mules heavily laden, the same, pro
badly, which ] had seen in the morning as
ccnding the other narrow road from the
GIGS dc .lgio. The road or track was still
perfectly visible, MS the snow had not yet
begun To settle down heavily; but every
moment it WAS becoming darker, and loud
pcalS Of thunder announced the approach OF
II violent storm. Sti.l pushed ON, anxious
to cain the summit and enjoy the view alone,
if may consider my dog as nobody.
About two thirds of the way up came to
a sort OF plateau of small extent, and 10 my
surprise, found here some bullock wagons
loaded with large pieces of machinery, scsE-
mcnts OF heels. shafts, crauks, Nc.. some OF
which must lave weighed three tors at least.
They We're partially covered with snow, and
how they came to be lying in such an out-of
the way place was then n mystery to me. l
afterwards learned that they were the prop
crty of Il gentleman from Mendoza, who had
determined on erecting flour mill IN that
city, anU had the machinery made III Naipn-
ralso. lie was on the road to Mendoza with
1t, when. on arriving at the Cunbre, he
tl1ft11 l,
Of the Goth March, sci. 10y which the entire
town was destroyed and his whole family
cntomhcd beneath the ruins. The blow was
81 severe that he never returned To claim ii,S
property, and there. on the wild Cumhrc, lie
some thousands Of dollars worth of machin-
cry, inferred beneath the snow, lost to all
intcnts und purposes. gazed short tune
mt these relics of civilization, and moved on
buried in thought.
From my rcycrie | was suddenly aroused
by the rapidly increasing violence OF the
storm and the ohscurity in which surround
ings 0H jic!s were wrapped could not see d!s-
tinctiy for distance OF ten yards ahead;
nevertheless | allowed my mule to follow
the track which every moment became more
and more OhlitCiutcd. passed the plateau,
and began ascending still higher and high
or; the snow being now nearly kncc-dyCP,
and the storm raging icariulIy. ! continued
for short time ascending beneath ledge
uf projecting rock, which served to shield
me from the fury OF the storm: but on
emerging from this shelter, farther up.
violent gust of wind rushing down deep
gorge, and carrying with it large quantity
OF snow and small pebbles almost blinded
me. | was now meditating a rapid retreat,
expecting much roughcr treatment higher
tA NNh |
should pursue, my mule became rcstiyc and
frightened. and attempted to turn back; in
so doing she lost her footing on the already
frozen and slippery snow, and came down
on her knees. kept in the saddle for
moment, hut eventually determined on
alighting and awaiting the arrival of the re-
mainder of my party.
On looking around me, all that met my
straining gaze was white desolaton, as il
universal nature was shroudcd in winding
/ sheet of snow not Il rock or landmark yiSi-
/ ible | began to doubt as to whether | was
/ in the right track OF not, and took out my
pocket compass to ascertain in what drcc-
ton had been going when | stopped; but
tAis was no easy task; my mule had turned
once or twice so had |, and for the life of
me could not tell in which direction had
come, or how to proceed. 1t became darker
and darker every moment, and the storm
/ increased tenfold. | had my compass on
| the palm of my hand to level it, and was
/ locking most anXiously at the needle, when
another terrific gust of wind, stronger than
the first, and charged with sand and snow,
came down upon me, carrying away my
compass, my hat, and my "poncho," tearing
my oycrcoat right up the back, and leaving
me in "tattcrsn My mule took fright, also,
and went oil at full speed down the side OF
the mountain, regardless of road or track.
was now obliged TO throw myself down
and burrow in the snow, in order to avoid
the continued fury of the tempest and pre-
vent myself from being blown over precl-
pice, which through u mOmentary clearing
/ got glimpse of on my right. My poor
dog huddled himself close To me and whined
most piteously. was in danger of being
blown away il stood upright, and of being
buried beneath the enormous MASSES o! snow
drift if | lay still. knew not what to do
or how 10 turn, when To- my delight, found
that the wind Was blowing OH the snow
from around me, and had ceased To carry
down more from above. now clearly saw
the track about ten feet oil and erept towards
il ON my hands aud feet In THIS way l
reached the ledge of rock which before
mentioned ns being a sort Ot shelter, AMI
/ - 49,. III ftr a .ltrFf time. until tile lurk