The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-14

is situated in the Cumbre between the two
lofty snow-clad peaks of Tupungato toward
the south and Aconcagua toward the north.
From the Chile side the line winds along
the terraced mountains of the valley of the
Aconcagua River; from the Argentine side
the valleys Of the Mendoza and Cuevas
rivers are followed amidst innumerabe OBJ
stacles, owing to the capriciOus course OF
the streams, the interruption caused by
loose pebbly earth, or ''ripio," by masses of
gravel carried down by the lateral torrents
and piled up in cones, and by 'barrancas."
gravel apparently deposited in times past
by the rivers.
{ In order fully to realize the natural diff
culties of this great transandlne enterprise
one must have been over the ground, eX-
amined the peculiar dangers due to landslips,
torrents and avalanches. and passed through
the silent region Of eternal SHOWS which the
line avoids by burying itself in the bowels
of the EARTH One must have seen, too, the
mountain-Side dotted with long strings of
pack-mules laden with timber, iron, bricks
and even with their own fodder, for every
thing used in the construction of the line
hitherto has been brought by thousands of
mules either from Mendoza or Los Andes.
However, now the works are beginning to
become easier. The rails are being laid
more rapidly. This year the track will be
available up to Upsallata. In 1891 the
10 the public, while on the Chile side the
line will be ready for traffic as far as Juneau
at the same date, and thus the mule journey
will be reduced TO a single days ride.
Finally, about 1895. we may hope to see the
whole line in working order.
The business prospects OF the line seem
fair 10 those who have put money in the en-
terpriSe, the main element of income being
expected from passenger traffic. at present,
during the five summer months, there is an
average of twenty-five passengers day
crossing in each direction. When the rail
way is open this number will increase per-
haps tenfold. A second source of revenue
will be local traffic and merchandise be-
tween Chile and the Argentine provinces of
Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis. A third
element of profit is looked for in the trans
port of cattle from the Argentine to Chile.
At present some 10000 to $4,000 head are
driven over yearly by
THE UsPALLATA PASS,
And arrive in Chile mere skeletons.
These cattle have to be fattened
in Chilean "potrerOs," where pasture
is very dear; whereas by the line
for killing. Fourthly, 1t is hoped that mines
will be discovered and worked in the region
opened up by the railway. AS for general
merchandise and imported goods, the trans
andine will not be able to compete with
steamboat freights, and therefore the port
The Inca's Bridge is simply an arch of
stratified shingle, cemented together by de-
posts Of pctrificatiOns from the hot springs
which bubble up all over the neighboring
bluff, the river Cuevas having eaten its way
through the shingle and falling in cascade
below. The bridge is 66 feet high, 100 wide,
and varies from 90 to so feet in thickness,
and, seen from below the bridge, tits found
to be covered with yellOwish stalactites
more curious than beautiful. In the sides
of the ravine, in grott0s, are bubbling hot
springs of crystalline water, which even in
winter. has temperature OF 81 Fahren-
heit. This water contains sulphur, iron and
other mineral properties, and is reputed
to be OF great efficacy. Doubtless. when
the transandine railway is opened for
traffic, a company will buy up Puente del
Inca. construct a fine bath establishment
and take in handsome profits. Even as it
is, although the grottos are merely
inclosed with few plauks and
although neither at the springs nor at the
inn is there tie smallest element OF comfort
or even decency, many people come every
year from Chile and the Argentine in order
to take the baths. Indeed n more miserable
and desOlate spot could hardly be imagined.
1t is a stretch of Teddish-brown ground at
the foot of the mountains without particle
of vegetation on it. Toward the river the
ground is covered with a yellow or white
etffOreScence that suggests coral formation,
and innumerabe little springs of hot water
bubble up through cracks in the rock with
a Kissing sound, and trickle over green or
yellow floating fiber toward the edge of the
rock, where the fiber hangs over and grad
ually sulidifes into StalactteS, which in turn
become converted into projecting Lodges, on
which other staactites hang. The whole
aspect of the ground is uncanIy; Just as at
Vnnta de las Vacas. the inn is surrounded
of filth. bones, horns.
40 inn