muscular action, from that of hard riding to that of still harder
climbing. It is a lesson worth remembering, as in some cases it might
cause much difficulty.
I have already said the mountain is composed of white quartz rock, and
with it a little glossy clay-slate is associated. At the height of a
few hundred feet above the plain patches of conglomerate adhered in
several places to the solid rock. They resembled in hardness, and in
the nature of the cement, the masses which may be seen daily forming on
some coasts. I do not doubt these pebbles were in a similar manner
aggregated, at a period when the great calcareous formation was
depositing beneath the surrounding sea. We may believe that the jagged
and battered forms of the hard quartz yet show the effects of the waves
of an open ocean.
I was, on the whole, disappointed with this ascent. Even the view was
insignificant;--a plain like the sea, but without its beautiful colour
and defined outline. The scene, however, was novel, and a little
danger, like salt to meat, gave it a relish. That the danger was very
little was certain, for my two companions made a good fire--a thing
which is never done when it is suspected that Indians are near. I
reached the place of our bivouac by sunset, and drinking much mate, and
smoking several cigaritos, soon made up my bed for the night. The wind
was very strong and cold, but I never slept more comfortably.
September 10th.--In the morning, having fairly scudded before the gale,
we arrived by the middle of the day at the Sauce posta. In the road we
saw great numbers of deer, and near the mountain a guanaco. The plain,
which abuts against the Sierra, is traversed by some curious gullies,
of which one was about twenty feet wide, and at least thirty deep; we
were obliged in consequence to make a considerable circuit before we
could find a pass. We stayed the night at the posta, the conversation,
as was generally the case, being about the Indians. The Sierra Ventana
was formerly a great place of resort; and three or four years ago there
was much fighting there. My guide had been present when many Indians
were killed: the women escaped to the top of the ridge, and fought most
desperately with great stones; many thus saving themselves.
September 11th.--Proceeded to the third posta in company with the
lieutenant who commanded it. The distance is called fifteen leagues;
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