Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-26
AN ANDEAN ADVENTURE.
On the Ascent from the Seacoast to tn.
Most EIe waited of Cities

On the Ascent from the Seacoast to the
Most FL" waited of Cities
While going from the SeacOast to Quito
in 1870, fell in with one of those close
chances for life which | shall not soon
forget. 1t may not be known to all how
strangely isolated is that ancient city of
Eucador, where whole families live and die
without seeing beyond their native hori-
zon. 1t can only be reached from the
west coast by paths cut in the sides of
those mountains of dazzling mista, dizzy
heights and mysterious glooms--the
Andes.
Centuries old are these narrow foot
holds; the fat lodges cut by the Incas are
now but narrow trenches worn down uy
the mule hoofs and only wide enough for
one animal.
At intervals there are wider foot paths
to allow travellers to pass each other. where
1t Is the custom to sound note of warn
ing, with horn, and wait a short time
before advancing. To meet anywhere be
tween these points means almost certain
death. The LuleS rush madiy together
in fatal combat which pIunges all to
destruction, it being impossible for the
rider to dismount in time to save him
self.
To return to my story. Having pro-
vided myself with the usual escort of ser
want, pack mule and guide, we threaded
our way without incident TIL the second
day, when | found myself some distance
ahead. Mile after mile the path wound
In and ont of those Jagged arms that
seemed to form monstrous teeth in the
mountain side and the gradual descent
was the only suggestion of an approach
to the valley which was but a simmer
ing sea of mists and ftful shadows. The
sensation of isolation and nearness TO
nature-never so dreamy and mysterious
as In these weird mountaina-was fast
producing In me peculiar ianguor and
oblivion OF the actualities, and reaching
passing place | was only too willing to
obey the unwritten law to "tarry," which
lent itself so well to my mood.
These hating places were usually cut On
the projecting points of the rocky arms
and commanded view of the path ahead
as far as the next halt. R0using myself
at length and receiving no answering sig
mails, had started on but few PAGES when
| heard that sound most dreaded the patter
of hoofs ahead. | was Utterly cold with
horror and for one second was unable to
move. and my mule stiffened under me
with fright. The path was like the letter
', and looking across | saw a riderless
mule trotting towards the converging
point In the rock, where noticed, as in a
fash, a narrow tissue out of which grew
sapling.
To reach that spot was my only thought,
to force my mules head into the cleft and
hang on to the tree, which looked fright
fully slender for such desperate strain.
| had no need to goad on my beast, for he
broke into frantic run, his instinct of
danger being as keen as mine It seemed
but 4 moment before the mule was half
way In the crevice and | was cIinging 10
the tree. The tramp mule bad now almost
reached the spot, and | saw to my horror
that small child was hanging TO the
reins and trying to stop the runaway.
1t all happened SO quickly | could only
shut nay eyes not to see the catastrophe
which came like a fash-the shock of
meeting, moment of frigntful strain. and
the boy and tie animal were pitched head
long over the edge.
| sat on my trembling beast literally
unable to move, and was only aroused
from my stupor by the voice of native
who came running up and crying, my