Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-31

formed their source almost ceased 10 flow
The wild animals in the mountains flee
from their accustomed hsunts, where il
was impossible longer to subsst, ant
betook themselves to the lower valleys
and plains Even the birds Joined in the
general flight from the higher lands
where there was no longer bug, al
insect or a worm to supply their increas'
ing wants.
Still we tarried in our mountain retreat
until the forests around us, on the hill
sides and in the valleys, become as desc
late and barren of any living thing oil
any green object as the most psrched and
barren desert in the world. We delayed
thus, in hope that the terrible deartt
would soon cease, and reviving showers
again return tous. We dreaded, more
over, the wearlsome journey to the coast
through binding dust and parching
fainting heat. For every day, and almost
every hour, had brought US intelligence
of the gradual abandonment of the noun
tains, as the springs dried up, and of the
departure of the entire population to the
sea coast. And we knew that however
serious the case might become with us
there, it would be little improved, al
best, ip the midst of that vast threng on
the crowded, devastated lowlands.
However, the perils with which we were
surrounded multiplied with each return
ing day. Our springs, one after the
other, dried up, and the nearest place
where water could be got was two miles
distant, over difficult, rocky road, fully
exposed to the intense heat of the sun,
and the direct force of the blistering hot
wind. And at last the supply of water
in this only remaining spring became SC
greatly reduced that delay of more than
two hours was necessary to catch sut'
fcient water to qHench the thirst of the
three donkeys belonging to our native
assistants, and to meet the wants of our
party of seven for the remainder of the
day.
The time dragged YEARLY by. and
brought no prospect of change for the
better. The little village of San Maquero,
in the valley mile and half below us,
had been deserted for more than week
past, and looked silent and wretched
enough. It's beautiful avenues Of shade
trees stood brown and bare and ghost. like
in the unfrequented streets The low
rooted houses and the fences and shrub
berry were covered with thick coating Of
white dust, and looked much like gray
boulders of rock in the midst of desert
region.
Finally, one morning, our three native
attendants came to us and declared their
intention of departing to the sea-shore on
that very day. The forests and the grass
and shrubs had become so dry that a great
fire weuld soon break out, they declared,
end then every living thing in the noun
tains ana or the plains would perish.
They would secure as much water that day
as could be carried on the donkeys with
the small quantity of provisions that was
left, aud when evening came, would set
ont for the coast We might accompany
them if we wopld, otherwise they would
60 alone.
There was good reason Ia the state-
ments of these men, two of whom bad
good many years before Witnessed oatas-
trophe similar to that which they now pre-
dicted. There was, therefore, but one
course left for us, and that was to go, much
es we dreaded the undertaking. Accord
ingiy ell preparations were made to that
end, and by the tiu.s tse srn had disap-
peared we had packed up sueh ARTICLES
as we designed to take with us, and began
the descent of the mountain.
The distance to the coast at San Jago
yopld haye made an easy two days jour
ney With pleasGpt, sesqonable weather,
but under the then existing eifeuqi-
stances it became severe tssk for three
days. We had plentiful supply OF pro-
visions for the trip, but very limited
quantity of wster--twenty-two gallons
being all that we possessed the means Of
carrying, and of this amount we were
compelled TO dispense small quantity
to the faithful little bessGs oi hprden TO
keep them from perishing on the way.
Occasionally, though rarely, we found
small stumps of canebrake growing In
moist places, and still green, while every
thing around pss gee1 and crisp. On the
green leaves and stems Of this ceneorake
our animals fessted raveuously, and itno
doabt ssyed them from fsmishiug, as the
only Rorsels OF food they copld get be-
sides consisted of the few fresh Eoots that
could be torn up where the ground had
not vet become thoroughly baked.
Two of our party were invalids, who
had been to the mountains in the interior
20. ire benefit of their health, and on
them this rorssd iergney was especially
severe. Yet, Of these two geniiepsH, ,ons'
only was 30 delicate as to be unAble to
yslk any considerable distance, aud for
him We Hais PROVISION BY each carrying
sufficient Of ths baggage to aHord him
transportation on one ofthe apipals. =.
In this mapner We journeEed YEARLY
along, travelling By night aud trying to
rest through the day. Yet the air was
ever so sitting. and so little shade could
be found, that there was generally more
comfort in jourueying slowly along than
in lying inactive in the smothering at
moSphsre. There was a olOnd Of dust in
the cir both night aud day, sba ths earth
was so heaved up by the constant expau.
sion Of heat that the soil became loose
and yielding as bed Of ashes. The beds
of creeks and rivers were baked hard like
6oors Of eslFai:
On the might Of the second days jour
ney we we're convinced By an awful spec
tsele Of The correctness Of the predictions