CHAPTER IX.
Charles follows Jack. Melancholy effects of the Earthquake. Release from the Hut. Commencement of the Ascent. Bridge-building. The Bearded Bird. Return of Niger. The Lake among the Mountains. The Snowy Region and its privations. The Pass.

CHARLES was not unwilling to redeem his character from the reproach of indolence; he was, moreover, sincerely attached to his favorite companion Jack, and anxious to assist him. He passed through the opening, and over the roof without mischief, and descended over the fragment of rock which half buried the hut, he looked round, and was struck with wonder at the strange scene the late smiling valley presented. Immense stones which had been hurled from the heights, lay scattered or piled around: no vestige of cultivation remained; the whole plain was a mass of chaotic confusion.

On making his way forward, over rent rocks and uprooted forests with considerable difficulty, he at length reached Jack, who was sitting weeping on the summit of a pile of stones.

"Well, Jack, my good fellow," cried his friend, "Is this your olive-branch? What has happened to you?"

"Oh! Charley, I cannot help crying when I see all this," replied the boy. "Those huge rocks lying against the hut, | | 99 we cannot move, and dear papa and mamma can never cross them. And I actually believe, Charley, that the poor horses are laid dead beneath these great rocks, for they are nowhere to be seen; and without them we may remain forever shut up in our dark prison."

Jack was not of a desponding character, but terror and confinement had quite subdued him. Charles was compelled to use greater energy than was usual to his indolent nature, before he could rally the usually buoyant spirits of his young friend. He sugested brighter hopes, and engaged Jack to accompany him to examine the state of the hut. The immense mass of rock which had fallen before the entrance, being higher than the roof, had shielded it from further dangers. The back of the hut originally rested against the rock, and the ends were half buried in piles of stones. The pile at the south end had fallen about two feet from the hut, and the narrow pass left, induced them to hope an escape might be made from this end.

They raised one of the uprooted trees aginst the hut to form a ladder, and their return was thus easily effected and hailed with joy by the family, notwithstanding their melancholy report. Jack declared that he could not help crying out when he saw the poor dear horses were missing; he had forgotten that he should alarm them.

"But I was glad," added he, "when I saw Charley, for he knew what ought to be done at once. But, papa, how can we get on without our good horses?"

"They were not our horses, Jack," answered his father, "and I have felt no peace of mind since we brought them away. God has punished us for the act by depriving us of our ill-gotten treasures. The poor animals may have fled into the woods and I wish that I could be assured that they had returned to their true owners."

This wish was not heartily responded to, for Jack and Tom had not forgiven the Indians for carrying off the boat. Dr. Lewis observed, that all animals have an instinctive knowledge of an approaching earthquake, and that doubtless they had fled to a less dangerous situation.

"My faithful mule," said Almagro, "the companion of my days of misery, will certainly return to me, if he be living. Besides, the two llamas have been trained to carry burthens, | | 100 and wilL be very useful in our journey. Fear not, kind fellow-Christians, God has saved us in the earthquake, and will not leave us here to perish."

"Well, then, Almagro," said Jack, "we must begin by pulling down this wall at the south end of the hut."

"Allow me to suggest," said Tom "that such a proceeding must inevitably let down the roof upon our heads. We must first prop the rafters, and then, the opening should be carefully arched to make it secure."

"Or what would you say, Tom," said Dr. Lewis, smiling, "if, since the hut can be no longer habitable, we should commence by taking down the roof, and thus avoid the danger of its falling upon us, or the necessity of an arched outlet?"

The plan was approved, and Almagro consented to the destruction of his hut. "I had hoped," continued he, "that after we had abandoned it, it might, at some time have afforded shelter to other distressed wanderers; but this is a necessity."

The removal of the thatch and rafters that formed the roof was soon effected; after which the end wall was demolished. They had now light and air sufficient, but the accumulation of stones, trees, and soil, before the opening, formed an obstacle difficult to surmount. But a little contrivance and industry smoothed the difficulty. At the part where the pile of rubbish was lowest, they shovelled the soil and formed an inclined plane, which it was easy even for Mrs. Merton to cross. Wearied with labor they sheltered themselves as well as they could, and lay down to take their last night's rest within the walls of the hut.

As if it had had an instinctive knowledge of their intention, the lost mule waked them early in the morning with its welcome braying. Almagro started up to meet and caress his faithful friend, which was in good condition, and quite uninjured. They all now commenced with alacrity the labor of the morning. They moved to the least encumbered spot of the plain all their packages, loaded the two strong llama, reserving the lightest burden for the female, which was least able to carry. A load of skins was placed on the mule, on which Mrs. Merton was seated, while her husband led the animal.

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All being ready, Almagro took a last look at the hut he had inhabited for so many miserable years, and they moved in a tedious and perilous manner over the impediments in their way. As they proceeded they still found the way obstructed by scattered rocks, and broken trees, and they were continually obliged to deviate in order to avoid them. At length they reached the stream which bounded the valley, but found, to their consternation, it had become a torrent, which, contined by the steep rocky banks, was now deep and impassable--a roaring and foaming river. They looked at Almagro for counsel.

"It is absolutely necessary," said he, "that we should cross this stream in order to reach the pass. It may be many days before this torrent subsides; more rain even may fall and keep up the impetuous waters. Laden as we are, it is impossible to ford the stream we must therefore make a bridge."

"I know something of the principle of bridge-building," said Tom, with a sage look, "and I pronounce that such an undertaking would take too much time; though we have abundance of material close at hand."

"How very simple you are Tom," said Jack. "Of course Almagro did not mean that we should build a grand stone bridge, like London Bridge; so you need not tire the girls with a lecture on piles and arches."

"I should not be tired of a scientific lecture," said Matilda, "if it was applicable to our case; but give us your plan of a bridge, Jack."

"Just a lot of smooth planks laid across the river, and thou shorter ones placed crosswise, to make it firm. There you have my bridge," said Jack.

"Which would require more time and labor than we can give, and better tools than we possess," said Lewis. "I suspect that Almagro's bridge will be more simple."

Almagro explained his plan; then the animals were released from their burthens for rest and refreshment; the tent cover was suspended over two opposite pieces of rock, and under its shelter dinner was prepared, while the young men set vigorously to work on their bridge.

They easily found a prostrate tree long enough to span the narrow torrent; they lopped off the branches, and drew it to | | 102 the bank. Then, studying one end of the trunk against a piece of rock lying at the brink, they raised the tree by long ropes of twisted thong, and let it fall across the stream. Their first attempt succeeded happily, and they prepared and lowered a second tree in the same manner. A little distance intervened between the trunks, but Almagro, accustomed so cross streams on these slight bridges, pased over and assisted them with his sound arm to place the trees side by side. This bridge about three feet across, was sufficient for the agile boys; but the timidity of Mrs. Merton obliged them to fill up the hollow in the middle with the broken branches and brushwood. It was then perfectly safe: Jack ran across several times to show its stability; then the mule and llamas were led over, and finally Mrs. Merton submitted to be carried across by Dr. Lewis, who was tall and strong. The rest of the party had no fears; and they very soon had their tent again raised on the opposite shore, which they preferred lest any new storm should carry away their bridge; and without any disturbance they spent the first night of their journey.

They were waked by the chattering of the parrots, and the charming song of an unknown beautiful little bird, which Jack captured and brought to the tent, that the naturalists might give it a name.

"I should say it was a canary-bird," said Tom, "if it be possible to meet with a canary-bird in the Andes."

"Or if a canary-bird ever wore a black velvet cap on its head, as this pretty creature does?" said Matilda. "I pronounce that it resembles more our English goldfinch in its note and plumage than the canary. Am I not correct, papa?"

"Who ever saw a goldfinch or a canary with a long beard, like this curicus warbler?" said Jack. "I think it must have been some venerable old hermit of these woods, trans-formed by some wicked sorceress into a bird."

"It is certainly not the goldfinch, Matilda," said Mr. Merton, "though it must be one of the same family, the Frangillidæ; but I am not so well versed in the ornithology of South America as our friend Dr. Lewis, who doubtless can tell you the species."

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"It is the Fringilla barbata," said Lewis,"remarkable for the beauty of its plumage, the melody of its song, and the singularity of its venerable black beard. You may observe that the throat is covered with black hair, which increases in length every year the bird lives, and I believe its existence generally extends to ten years. From the length of its beard, we may conclude our captive has reached extreme old age, yet you hear its voice is undecayed. It builds in the rocks a nest of small stones and feathers, and feeds, like the rest of the Fringilla family, on the seeds of plants. I would advise you now to release it, Jack; we shall have more pleasure in hearing its notes when it is in freedom, and I presame you have no design to roast and eat it."

There was a general cry of horror at such a suggestion; the creature was too charming to be eaten; and finally, Jack was persuaded to set it at liberty, as they could not preserve it, unless they took the trouble to make a cage for it, and even then it must be an incumbrance in their toilsome journey.

The road by which Almagro conducted them led along the side of the mountains, ascending gradually; and though it was rugged and entangled with thicket, was less bewildering than their former aimless course. As they reached a higher region, the trees became stunted and thinly scattered, and the pasturage still more scanty. They rarely found any birds for food, but had no fear of famine, for they had still a large stock of dried meat and maize, and the mountain springs were unfailing. They also carried some straw for the animals, when they should have ascended beyond vegetation.

But they did certainly wish for some fresh meat, after many days' slow travelling; and they looked anxiously out for the appearance of the guanacoes, but in vain; till one night, when they were preparing to rest under the shade of a projecting rock, Jack declared he heard the step of a guanaco. They all remained silent; the trampling was distinctly heard; the bolas and lassoes were made ready. Then a loud neigh was heard--the guanaco was at hand--and they ranged themselves about to intercept the welcome visitor. A minute elapsed, then a rustling was heard in a thicket behind them, and out sprung a horse!

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"It is our faithful Niger!" cried Jack; and they all recognised with pleasure the stoutest of their lost horses, a great favorite with the boys. He was much improved in condition, having evidently led a life of ease and plenty during his travels.

"He must have followed us for some days," observed Charles, "for I have more than once fancied I heard a distant neighing. Poor fellow! how glad he seems to be to see his friends again, little thinking of the reception he so narrowly escaped."

"And now, papa," said Mary, "as Niger has given himself up voluntarily to us, I suppose we may conscientiously keep him?"

Mr. Merton paused, and then agreed that they should use Niger as their own; for as he understood the horses which roamed over the Pampas were common property, they should not infringe on justice by appropriating this wanderer. Niger was therefore provided with a saddle of skins, and Mr. Merton mounted him, carrying his daughters alternately behind him. The rest of the family were supposed never to be tired of walking, though this was a mistake; for night after night they encampled weary and footsore, and sat down to patch their dilapidated shoes, in the best way they could, with pieces of hide.

But they all continued in excellent health and spirits; Mrs. Merton was so much stronger, that she now took her turn to walk for an hour, while Nanny took her place on the mule and Amiagro's arm was perfectly well. They were now little interrupted by the thicket, for vegetation had decreased to a few half-dried shrubs and some scattered blades of grass,--insufficient pasturage for the hungry animals. The shrubs were collected to light the evening fire, under some sheltering craig; or, better still, in some cave, when they had the good fortune to meet with one, for the nights were intensely cold; this cold was not, however, detrimental to health, as they all experienced.

From time to time they passed over the ridges of the mountains into some of the numerous valleys of the Andes, where they found better shelter and herbage. But still before them rose the gigantic form of the principal Cordillera, which, like a monster wall, semed to shut out the world be- | | 105 yond, and to reach to heaven. The trembling girls inquired of Almagro, if they should have to ascend to that snow-crowned summit; but he assured them that would not be the case, but begged them to collect in the valley all the dry roots and grass they could obtain, as they would probably meet with no more vegetation or fuel. They now ascended banks of a stream, on a sort of pathway, left by the passing-off of the waters of the last winter's snows, which in the spring have swollen that slender stream into a torrent. Slowly and patietly man and beast toiled up this rugged ascent for hours, till they reached a ridge of rocks, where a shelving spot allowed them to light their fire, and take rest and refreshment, and to give their poor animals the last straw they possessed.

Morning showed them, beneath their resting-place, another valley or basin, green with a slight vegetation, towards which they gladly proceeded, and allowed the animals to crop the few blades of of grass. Crossing the valley, which was about two miles in width, they encountered a broad and rapid river. It looked dark and deep; but there was no choice; they must attempt to ford it, for there were no materials here for making bridges, even if the river had been narrow enough for such an attempt. Dr. Lewis undertook to try the stream by riding over on the mule; he was an excellent swimmer, and therefore did not mind the risk. He found the water not more than four feet deep, but somewhat dangerous from its rapidity; but he succeeded in carrying the party over, one at a time, behind him. The llamas and horse were reluctant to enter the water; but they were attached in a line by ropes; and Dr. Lewis, leading the way on the untiring mule, drew the line across the river. There was much struggling and noise, but no damage; and, after a little rest to recruit them after their fright, they pursued their weary way.

The road they now took wound along the sides of the mountain above a precipice. The narrow path was scattered with stones, which rolled beneath their feet, and rendered it dangerous and painful to pass over them. They looked down into hollow filled with snow, for now verdure was no more seen, while still above them the snowy summits towered to the clouds, dazzling their eyes and depressing their hopes.

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They seemed to have passed the limits of animal or vegetable life, and were shocked to meet with the skeleton of a horse, left in all probability by the Indians in crossing the destroying mountains. The only living creatures they saw were the giant condors, hovering over their heads, flapping their huge wings, and watching for their expected prey. Mrs. Merton was in constant dread of these birds and, in truth, it would not have been difficult for these monstrous creatures to have attacked and overpowered any of the enfeebled party.

"Oh, Almagro!" cried Tom, "I can go no farther: my shoes are worn out and can be mended no more: I am sick and weary; and unless we had wings, like yon hideous condor, we could never mount to those snow-covered heights."

"My feet are bleeding too," said Jack "but I should not mind very much for that, if it was not so cold; and we cannot make a fire for want of fuel. We might, to be sure, burn the tent-pole."

"That we must certainly not do," said Lewis. "Under the shelter of this projecting rock, by the aid of the pole and sail, we can raise our tent, and then, wrapped in our blankets and cloaks, we must try to forget our toils and troubles. Besides, Almagro will satisfy you, Tom, that we shall not be compelled to ascend to yon snowy pinnacles before we reach the eastern descent of the Cordilleras."

Almagro smiled, and assured Tom that he hoped in another day to bring them to the pass: an assurance that revived their drooping spirits. They then made a good supper on a mixture of charqui and pounded maize, boiled to a sort of jelly, which Nanny, warned by Almagro, had prudently prepared before the fuel failed. The famished animals were supplied with a handful of maize each, a little milk was obtained from the llama, and then, thanking God that they had still food, shelter, and safety, they heaped all the covering they could obtain over them, and slept peacefully.

Jack, in spite of his sorrows and his sore feet, waked them up early next morning with a hunting-song. His spirits never flagged; he was the best worker, and the most good-natured assistant of the party. It was Jack who pounded the charqui when Nanny was tired; he fed the animals, rolled up the blant- | | 107 kets for his mother and sisters, and sometimes for Charles too. It was he who delighted Almagro with wonderful stories of English customs and English happy homes; and it was he who, when every one was desponding, cheered them with his gay laugh and merry song.

"Come here, Master Jack," said Nanny; "I have long thought of it, and just take my clogs to walk in. I have a pair of good shoes yet, and that's more than some can say. You laughed at me for bringing my clogs, and now see what a good job it was."

The fact was that Nanny, never to be persuaded that her future home was to be entirely unlike her native home, had, in order to provide against all emergencies, brought amongst her stores a pair of the wooden-soled shoes worn by the mountain peasantry of Westmoreland; and these clogs, as they are provincially called; she had worn in her toilsome pilgrimage. This had been a most fortunate experiment, for Nanny's feet had suffered less from the journey than those of any one else; and Almagro's admiration of the clogs had been so great, that he had declared, as soon as they had reached the region of wood again, he would certainly make a pair of clogs. Even Charles, who had destroyed a great part of his collection of light, elegant, London boots, looked with envy on Nanny's sabots, and admitted that he might himself have been tempted to endeavor to fabricate a pair of clogs, if the summit of the Andes had not been a locality so extremely unfavorable to the operations of shoemaking.

"On! on! chattering boys," called Lewis, "and let us take advantage of the bright sunshine to follow Almagro to the highest point of our pilgrimage."

The highest point, the long-sought for pass, was the flat summit of a peak, where the snow lay for ever. In the midst of the plain was a wide frozen lake, evidently the crater of an extinguished volcano. They gazed on it with astonishment and awe, wondering how many centuries had passed since it had poured its devastating fires down to the plains. They found several shells in a celcined state scattered around, amongst which they recognised the oyster, conch, and perriwinkle shells.

"It surelie must have been some of the fairy folks," said Nanny, "that have fetched these bonny sea-shells all the way | | 108 up these weary hills, and have laid them up here for their own bairns."

"And now that we have found them, Nanny," said Jack, "who knows but one of the good fairies may hop out of a conch-shell and turn it into a coach drawn by fiery dragons, to carry us over the mountains?"

"Don't you talk nonsense, Master Jack," said Nanny, "before folks that know things. Here's Master Tom, now, will know out of his books how these sea-shells came to be lying so far from the sea."

"These shells, Nanny, are probably antediluvian, the relics of an earlier world," began Tom, gravely.

"Which, in plain language, means, Nanny," interrupted Dr. Lewis, laughing, "that these shells were brought here by the great Deluge, of which you read in your bible."

"Doubtless," said Mr. Merton, "this is a fact, for we know that the animals which inhabit the plains, and the fishes from the depths of the sea, were alike deposited on the summits of the highest mountains, when, at the word of God, the waters covered the whole earth. The ignorant savage, wherever he is found, acknowledges the fact of the Deluge but the Christian knows that the sin of man brought this fearful visitation on the world. Let us contemplate its traces with awe and trembling, beseeching our heavenly Father to have compassion on the frailty of humanity, and to spare us and our children from the punishment our sins ever deserve."