Tombstone prospector., 1897-10-29

sONSEN. DEFAk lNbN lO bE |
 Cor oMBIA, SsUTH AMERICA,
 September 8. ie97.) ErIToR PROsPBC OR:
 Stree last writing yol, l have been travelling about considerably in this department. one of the richest in this re3uhlic, and ss the incidents oi travel m foreign lands are generally anuSing to mos, people, I will give . few of them here for our many readers and sor:e O my associates of by-gone days whom have not forgotten in my tedi- ous and interesting journeys by land and sea.
 Well, not to dwell on Ierliminaries, left Meiellin on th- 29sh of August for Rio Negro, five and ore half leagues, over an immense mountain range, threading my way through forests, over beautiful mountain treoks and fields of corn and coffee. Travel is quite tedious as well as eI- pensive here, so 10 economize costs left my trunks in Meddellin, directing my local agent to forward my port mantesn containing my samples, clothing for the journey and other necessary articles, altogether about 30 pounds, to be forwarded to me by frs, opportunity by native carrier. Beth men and women here of the Indian races are common carriers, and their endursL C. ss such is phenomenal. My baggage came a. half past two p. m. by an Indian girl of eighteen, agile and well built, scccmpauie by her little brother of ten years old, and ss I was blged to be in La Ceji Deft morning to meet ore of my south bound sgent., and having no other carrier at hand, the Indian woman proff-red her servi ;es for two dollars Colombian currency(eighty cents gold) to take my bundle on 10 the lac, named town four leagues and she kept up with me although I kept my animal a, trot part of the distance. The rough condition of the eastern spur of the Andes will not admit Of conveyance otherwise than by pack oxen and mules, and the rougher part. by I'd an csrrie,s. The whole hereabouts is covered with rich psstursgc which is perennial, tim Der plentiful, and the whole codn- tryis of yellosish clay formation with vegetable cap coil from one |" three feet thick. The climate is ex- cellent and the people robust and healthy. Al La C.ia 1 procure an in- telligsnt peon at 10 cents gold per day, and rstiohs to see me through 10 SOnson. The rainy season is upon us, and the recent incessant rains make the road rather tedious. We wend cur way over mountain alter mountain, through beautiful little wales through which clear mountain streams ripple along, and nov again comes rushing some swift mountain torrent from the steep wooded eides of the mountains, while on all sides the entire distance it is perpetual verdure of forest, rolling grassy hills, fern covered brakes and vine-clad knslls. We cross many suspension bridges roofed with tile, under which rush mad mountain streams. We pace many little miserable villages and note great poverty, owing to their own indolence, as nature has given them abundartly of every necessary ele- mrnt which labor ard perseverance would turn to gold. Old women and hslf-naked girls sit alongside the road, or rather mountain trails, and beg or sell fruits and sweetmeats, or undis- titled beverages which are quite re- freshing to the weary traveller.
 At six o'clock we cams to . beau,i- ful mountsi inn, 8 900 feet above the sea Here we met a rather in telligent man Of fine features and . pice- .ook- Dg young wife, both bsreioo ed, but the rlace had "A neat aspect, while the mesls and chocolate were splendid, and the goed soft beds and clean linen were really to be admired. "Senor. allow me to congratulate you on your weli-kept tavern" "Gracior, senor we have e great deal of travel by the rich mise owners and othe. respect able people, and ~e like to please thsm, as they pay us we'll. Be seated in this rocking char for . minute while prepare yeu . nice cup Of before dinner, SC it is quite 
 Ju-t before reaching Scnfsn, which Is I0,6O0 feet above the seq, we were climbing a steep mountain side, and | sll Of sudden came upon 6 young