Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-01


watched the msts clear from the mountains
and the valley grow distinct before IA. After
horst we ent, red the so-caled gate
which marks distance OF twelve miles from
the city. Then began the long series OF
winding roads---sharp turns bringing us con-
stau,ly into new relations with mountain and
valley. On one side Il Us lay deep ravine,
through which rushed the mountain stream
we were following to its source. On the
other rose lofty hills covered with shrubs and
flowers. The ascent, gradual as it was, taxed
our horses considerably, and the gentlemen
avaled themselves OF The opportunity OF
walking and sailed forth, leaving the ladies |
to guard the precious luggage. -Four miles
from the frs, gate brought US to the entrance |
to the private wagon road leading to the |
mines. Here to our dsmay. we discovered |
that our passes had gone on with the gentle |
men, and we were not TO be allowed to pass |
without them. Fortunately, however, our |
extra horsemau, who had charge OF the relay
of horses, was at hand, and he, riding ahead,
secured the passes and returned to escort us
through the gate. We bestowed loaf OF
bread upon the ungracious gate-keeper, and
he, not to be outdone in generosity now that
his duty was discharged, presented us with
two cheeses. Having overtaken the at of
the party, little later our appettes suggest.
ed break fast, so, battling by the wayside, we
lighted our spirit lamp and soon had ready a
refreshing cup of tea, which, together with
fruit and sandwiches, proved very acceptable.
The sun had now begun TO make itself felt,
and after ride of two hours further, we
rested for our incoming" in delightful shady
nook by the side OF the stream. Atahuapo
was not forgotten, being treated to handfuls
of long grass which grew upon the bank.
With prudent foresight the gentlemen cut
Alpenstocks from the dwarf trees OF our
thicket, and had they not done so we should
have had difficulty in finding them-as soon
vegetation grew very scarce. During the
afternoon we separated into three parties,
four Of US pushing Oh afoot, while the others
remained with the cdrretela to give the horses
| a rest In consequence Of the poorness OF the
horses, we were unable TO reach The bodegd,
! which was to have been our lodging place /;
and it was thought best, at nighttall, to pitch
our camp by the roadsi lie aud not attempt to
go further. Accordingly we looked about us
for fitting place, and soon hit upon what
seemed to be Just the thing. rude stone
hut, with adjustable roof, and quite bare OF
furniture OF any description, was kindly
offered US by its peon owners; and between
that and the carreteia we thought to make
ourselves quite comfortable. Tired and
| hungry we first applied ourselves TO the task
OF getting supper. Owing TO the shifting
nature OF our candlestick, our light was quite
uncertain, and in the semi-darkness. butter
found its way into our tea-cups, in place of
the condensed milk, and we found il difficult
to maintain possession OF our own portion o.
the viands. However, We were too tired to
care for the prophecies, and despatched the
meal as soon as possible. The gentlemen
| considerably urged the ladies to take the
cdrreteia for their resting place, anG they pre-
pared their bC ds upon the ground. Well, we
passed the night--but lest any
account from our ride should b'
pronounced exaggerated-it may no
be well to venture upor details of the com
fort 10 which we passed it. Suffice it TO say
Il at We all agreed with the one of our mum
her vi hO, on being asked next morning "HOw
many are slive in there2' replied, about a
thousaudp Warning: Don't choose to sleep
| in carreteid iu Chile, if you have any al.
| tentative. After an early lunch we brok"
| camp and started anew upon our journey. A
| short time brought us 10 a broken bridge,
where, the carreteld being too heavy to be
drawn across the stream, we were obliged to
lead the provisions upon pack mules and SCI
off up the hill, the ladies upon horses, the
gentlemen afoot At about nine we reached
the bod.gd, where we were kindly welcomed
by Mr.. Sassi and Mr.. MacNamars, extensiv,
mine owners in that region. At this poin
we were about forty-6ve English miles from
Santiago, at a height Of 10000 feet above sei
level. The atmosphere was exh;lsrating, anC
after second breakfast in the open air, W
started for Las Bronces, group Of mine
some two leagues further up the valley. Thre
hours of quite steady walking brought us Il
our destination, although those OF our part,
who rode might have reached there soone
had they not waited for the rest of US to over
take them. Our delight at seeing snow agai
was unbounded. Needless Of the warning O
our guide, we not only played in the snow
banks but even dared to quench our thirs
with the icy morsels. Nor did we suffer il
effects from our imprudence. Nature SCENE
Tor once to be indulgent and humored us i
: acts which, in our usual state Of mind, "
! would ourselves have deemed impruden
Arrived at Las Bronces, our attention wa
per ore scattered about at the mouth OF tn
mines. Regardless OF their intrinsic value
we began to lay in stock of the bits OF orr
which shoDe beautifully in the sunlight. Al
the col"rs of the spectrum blended, and It wa
with difficulty that we tore ourselves ava
from the brilliant piles. Great was the as
tonishment depicted upon the faces of th
miners at seeing ladies in their midst, tor un
til our coming no ladies had ever been ther,
we were told. Ascending little farther. "
we're ushered into the temporary dwelling {
the Administrator OF one of the mines. Her,
our. host, insisted upon serving tea and bee
steak; which were gratefully received, a
though the light atmosphere at a height {
$4,000 feet prevented our having hearty az
petites. After short rest-two OF US takin
, maps while the rest were at lunch-we wtI
> ont to explore the mine itself, With car,
b. fully adjusted lamps, held near TIE groun
l by means of the long iron rods to which the