The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-09-14
UNDER THE SNOW.

III paSSlDS from Cnill 10 Jue AFSeH-
tine Republic, the lofty Andes present
an almost insurmountable barrier.
There are but two points throughout
the whole extent of that country
where travel can be undertaken with
any certainty of successful terInira
ton. One of these is situated in the
valley of Aconcagua, and is by far
the more popular route. The other.
near Tome, though shorter, is more
PERCEPTIONS and difficult Of passage
For six months of the year both
these passes are closed by the almost
perpetual snow storms which prevail,
and it often happens, that during the
summer months, when least expected,
the traveller finds himself weather
bound by a premature fall of snow.
At these times, however, it quickly
evaporates under the influence of the
suns rays, and the imprisoned ones
go On their way rejoicing, but it is at
the commencement OF the so-called
rainy season that real dangers are en-
countered. All intercourse between
the two countries must now be sus-
pended. Friends who have tarried
too long On their visits to friends are
now anxious to return. Cattle drov-
ers are desirious Of making one more
trip. Merchants count up their i'm
aginary gains, which one more mule
train of goods, safely transported
across the country, would yield. The
snow-line, always visible the entire
year, still maintains its position near
the peaks of the mountains. The old
weather prophets prognosticate fair
weather for a week or two yet, and so
the adventurous ones start out, trust
ing to luck for safe passage.
In 1869 had occasion to undertake
this journey, and L consider it as a
miraculous dispensation Of Providence
that was spared to tell the tale.
MY business was urgent-a case OF
life or death. The travel was nearly
suspended for the season, but fool
hardy drover was found who had de-
termined upon one more trip, and l
gladly seized the opportunity of ac-
companyiDg him.
Our route for the first two or three
days was pleasant and agreeable, the
weather, all that could be desired.
We were nearing the summit; one day
more would bring US past the worst
part of the road.
AT this juncture we came to the Gel
ebrated "Cuexa del Visjeros," which
affords the best of protection to the
benighted traveller. Completely shut
in on all sides, it extends back some
two hundred feet, and is perhaps half
as wide, with only one entrance, and
that half hidden by a thick under
growth of espino and cactus.
Although we could have travelled
some little distance yet before night
fall, Cifeuntes-the drover-conclud-
ed it would be best to spend the night
here, and make up for lost time by an
early start on the morrow.
Our retreat, though rough and rug
ged, afforded ample room for the cat
tie, which were reluctantly driven into
the almost impenetrable darkness, and
were LEFT to accommodate themselves
as best they might, while we turned
our attention to satisfy the want of the
inner man.
With our party was an old mOntene
no Qmountaineer,) who lad spent his
seventy years among these wilds, and
to whom every cloud, every gust of
wind, or flight of birds was a sure in
dicator Of coming events, and as read
lily defined as his constant observation |
could possibly make them. He had |
been sent out to gather fuel, and now |
returned with doleful tale about a |
flock of wild geese flying southwark,
and snow banks piled up in the north
ern skies.
Cifeuntes was not disconnected by
the intelligence; he thought there
might be a slight fall; but, to be pre-
pared for any emergency, We all sat
about gathering the scant supply of
fuel and storing it away inside the
cave.
To me snow-storm was but a trif-
ling affair. l had often heard travel
ers tell their almost incredible stories
of the immense drifts which thew had
encountered, but 1 was quite unpre-
pared for the spectacle which 1 beheId
the next morning-the mouth of our
cavern was completely blocked up.
With shovels we worked our way
through, to obtain glimpse of what
was trsnspiring around US.
The air was thick with the fast fall
ing snow, and made still more dense !