Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-05
Dicks Mountain
Adventure

u ~ 4
w Aunt Phyllis arrived at La
Guayra It was a particularly
hot day even for that latitude, and
they fairly gasped for breath.
when can one get train for Cara
cas?" inquired Miss Randall, anxious
ly.
"Three o'clock. ma'am," replied the
hotel waiter who spoke English.
"Oh, are you going by train?" asked
Dick, with pretended surprise.
"Do you expect to fly over?" laughed
Mary
mo, but 1 was thinking of walk
ing"
"It's a hard climb. senor," observed
the waiter more than six thousand
feet ascent"
What route do you mean?" de-
man6ed Dick.
"This path over the mountain, Sc
nor"
"Well, intend going by another one
altogether. 1 have got the map of 1t
in my pocket. 1t starts about three
miles down the coast. Drake went
that way when he sacked Caracas"
Dick" interrupted his aunt, II can't
consider for moment your undertake
ing any such foolhardy trip-you shall
go in the train with us"
But I'm inviting you to come along
with me-"
"Why, senor," said the astonished
waiter that other path-if you mean
the one from Macuto-goes a thousand
feet higher-ladies couldn't possibly
Hes only Joking" interrupted Mary.
Don't mind him."
"Well, I'm not joking about myself,
anyway" retorted Dick.
"And neither am 1 when 1 tell you
| forbid the project said Miss Ran
dali, sternly.
But, aunt, why? It's perfectly safe;
L could leave early tomorrow morning
with guide and reach Caracas by
night You said you wanted me to see
all the places of historic interest, and
-
Aunt Phyllis burst into laughter.
"And you know how much I've al
ways thought of Drake
do you think it safe?" Miss Ran
dali demanded of the waiter.
"Oh, yes, am, if he takes a good
guide. l can recommend-ah, there's
Juan Costa, he would do. He doesn't
speak English, but he knows the noun
tains well. Shall 1 call him in?'
dol
obviously.
Juan. being duly questioned and
cross examined, gave the most assur-
ing promises for the trip. The path
was not very difficult the views were
and they could easily
reach Caracas by evening.
Dick was jubilant. ASK him when
we should start" he said to the waiter.
He thinks he had better call at the
hotel at 8. Then you could get fairly
started by A. He says you might take
your rifle if you like" pointing to a
small target rifle that Dick had in his
hands.
"Oh, are there any wild animals?'
asked Miss Randall, quickly.
mo, ma'am," laughed the waiter,
"enly burros and goats. But he might
get shot at an eagle or vulture."
Arrangements having been duly COM
pketed to Miss Randalls satisfaction,
and hotel in Caracas having been
decided upon, that Dick should know
where to go upon his arrival, that good
lady and her niece departed on the
afternoon train, impatient to reach the
cooler climate of the Caracas valley.
Dick, too hot to try sightseeing, re-
turned to the hotel where he sat pant
ing in the courtyard until dinner was
announced. After dinner he very SEN
sibly went to bed.
He was called before dawn the next
morning, and after hastily dressing
and eating his "desayuno" he declared
himself ready for the trip. Mules had
been provided to take them to Macuto,
and thence short distance up the trail,
and Dick lost no time in mounting his
animal and setting out. The guide
,trotted closely behind him, and little