Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-30

ticeabe in a less rarified atmosphere. One
gets so fatixued that he lies down in eX-
haustiOn, but after lying IA few moments
he can get up and 20 on, and all fatigue
will have disappeared for the time, |
wonder now how | dared ride up that
mountain for one misstep would have
hurled both horse and rider into eternity.
As we rode up the ever winding path, we
could look into the valley below, where
the waters of the MapochO went dashing
along in its headlong speed to bury itself
/ in the sea. Here and there bit OF green,
/ (for vegetation has now almost entirely
ceased) is seen along the river banks and
/ above all huge snow banks. From one
point we saw little lake rs green MS en-
erald. 1t was Il pretty sight, reminding
one of a rich emerald set III the midst OF
a flashing diamond.
Somewhat weary we reached little
/ hut called dCSpdchO, for here food and
supplies are sold to the miners. We threw
ourselves on the bed while the woman
made us some coffee. 1t was miserable
stuff-a mixture of beans and coffee, but
we drank it with II relish as also the
/ marina tOStddd, which much refreshed us
/ Here we were obliged to leave our horses
/ and go about three hundred feet on foot.
/ 1t was IA hard climb, for we were tired and
the sun was very hot We sat down by II
/ little snow bank, and although our friends
told ia the snow would surely Kill Us, II
we took it when we were so heated, we
ate all we wanted
While we sat here a condor flew over
our heads, but fancy he thought such Il
jaded looking party not worth his notice
for he flew away after sailing around us n
few times. Once more on again, and at
last the climbing is done DR.. Philips is
part owner Of this mine which is called
"Rosario.' His partner Mr.. Mac Namara
of California, met us and welcomed us
most cordially. He brought us mattress
to lie on, and cup of tea to drink,
soon 1t became so warm that the gentle
men built shade about us. Then sud
denly Il fog began to surround us and it
grew colder. What could it mean
| Would we be fortunate enough to have Il
snow storm 1t was then time to 20 down
into the mine, so off we started in high
Glee. This was to be Il new experience in
deed Each took a miners lamp and fol
/ lowing the guide we descended. 1t was
nice to be there once but | would not like
to 20 many times The walls were lined
with ice and crystalized snow which
sparkled and glistening III the light shed
by the lamps. We went IA far as we
could go, and were shown some very
rich veins that have just been struck.
| These are all silver mines.
| was the first one out and to my delight
| saw it showing. At first the snow came
down in shot like PARTICLES, but soon they
grew into feathery flakes that really look
ahead of tIs-fOr we We're wrapt in the
clouds. How bitter cold it was and how
our hands and feet ached After collect
ing some more specimens, we enjoyed Il
jolly snow ballng. 1t is needless to say
the male portion of our party badly beat
US. Who ever knew lady to throw
straight We went into the shanty for
rest and iire-and were supplied with plen-
ty of soup. What a delicious dish it was.
They told us it was what the miners had
but am inclined to think it was made
little better for our benefit.
The snow was falling in clouds, but as
it was getting late and we mad a long trip
home, we had to face the storm.
We Americans, who had been through
many Il snow storm before, felt equal to the
occasion, but our English friends, to whom
this was new experience, hlnched a lit
tie. How the storm beat against our
faces Some of our number, who, had
been i'll Chile for years, and had not seen
snow since they left the States, deemed it
even more fun than did |. Our English
friends had never before seen snow flake.
On our way back we visited "La Fortuna
mine and procured more specimens, then
were ready to make the descent
The question arose-'who will ride
down - From out of the crowd came such
answers as "Not l." | thought | was not
afraid and another young lady was too
sick to walk, so, with Mr.. Mcnamara for
our escort, we began the descent. Where
ignorance is bliss It's folly to be wise"
rode down in safety but would not again
for a goodly sum, neither would | have
missed the experience for greater
amount. We mad to dismount very often
to have our saddles frightened, and | con-
fess to having drawn long breath, when
was fairly down. Mr. Mcnamara told me
was the first lady who had ever ridden
down, and he knew many men who much
preferred To- walk.