Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-31


between November and April but COUNTLESS
herds OF cattle are driven over it from the
Argentine pampas to the fertile valleys of Chile
The trail winds higher and higher along the
sides Of sheer cliffs and clings to the edge Of
awful precipices, where only trained mules can
be trusted. Each party is led by one or more
guides on foot, who, in their skin brooches and
raw-hide shoes, will each carry 100 pounds of
luggage and keep pace with their mounted en-
ployers. Travellers differ as to which is the
most nerve-trying experience-having to cross
some fearful gorge on one Of the swaying cow
hide bridges or to meet in the narrow trail
herd Of wild Argentine cattle. In the latter
case ones only salvation Is in keeping his mule
close to the wall Of rock that always rises on
one side of the path and leave the edge to the
crowding cattle. If he has the grit to remain
notionless as the rocks around him the chances
are that the herd will pass him by without at
tention- IL a brute disputes the right Of pas
sage. as they sometimes do, protect yourself if
you can, by fourishing the whip. II that fails
and ne insists upon battle. the only alternative
from his terrible horns is to shoot him between
the eyes with unerring accuracy of aim.
swAYISa SKIN BRrDGEs
There are q number Of skin bridges in this
part Of the Andes, stretched after the manner
OF modern suspension bridges, over yawning
abysses, and their swaying Is SO great that most
people are compelled to dismount and lead
their mules across and to lie down midway
themselves when overcome with dizziness.
Each bridge has Q door made by flashing the
branches of trees together with thongs lust
wide enough for q mule to pass, and along each
side raw-hids rope is slung to serve az a hand
some ten or twelve thousand feet higher than
the top OF Trinity Church spire, mounted or ON
foot, crossing such an unsubstantial structure
which hangs suspended Ikea certain historic
coffin. with nothing between your feet and the
neither air Of q bottomless chasm but a few
ed Wit at
are rare and most of those that have occurred
we're due to the ''little foxes that spoil bridges
a. well a. vines by their nibbling.
AcoNcAaUA AND cHMBoRAzo.
Aconcagua, the mighty monarch that lifts
his snowy head to height of "a, AIS feet, NAV
be plainly seen on clear days from both VAL
paraiso and Santiago, though it stands long
way north Of both cities. Mr.. Curtiss saws:
For a long time Chimborszo was supposed to
be the king Of the Andes and in the biographies
Published twenty years ago it is described as
the highest summit in the world. No one has
ever reached the peak Of either Chimborazo or
Aconcagua, owing to the depths Of snow and
impossible gorges, but recent measurements,
taken by means OF triangulation, give the latter
an excess Of 1900 feet over old 'Chimbo.'
Humboldt made Chimborazo famous and few
travellers have gone beyond the point he
reached. But no serious attempt has
ever been made to explore the summit
OF Aconcsgua, for Chileans seldom 60 where
their horses cannot carry them. In gloom and
glory Chimborazo is said to surpass all rivals,
standing as il does within sight Of the sea and
surrounded by cluster OF twenty peaks, like
king among his councillors. But Aconcagua
IL grand enough, and has nothing near to dwarf
its size. The latitude in which it stands brings
the snow line much lower than upon Chimbo-
raxo and the other peaks Of Ecuador, and the
purity Of the atmosphere gives spectators an
opportunity to view its picturesqueness from .
very long distance.
CITY RUINED BY An EARTHQUAKE.
There Ia nothing remarkable about the VII
lage Of Santa Rosa, except the mountain yiews
that may be had from its balconies Mendoza
on the other side OF the mighty wall that
separates Chile from the Argentine IL one Of
tho Oldest cities in the latter country, having
been founded in the year 1859 by Garcia de
Mendoza. In l776 il was made the administra-
tive center Of the "vice royalty Of La Plata {"
II u the only town Of consequence in the extern
siSe province Of Mendoza, and was formerly
euut with considerable elegance, but in the
year 1851 was almost entirely destroyed by an
earthquake. in which more than 1000 people
psrished: The terrified populsce sought safety
IN the churches and were buried amid their
fallen walls Among the victims was Mons.
bravard, French geologist who had often
predicted that just such Q catastrophe was
bound TO occur. Extensive ruins mark The
sate OF the old town and the new one has been
1Axnx b WAND.