[ 256 ] [MARCH, 



THE TIGER'S CAVE.* 



ABOUT three years since, after a short residence in Mexico, I 

 embarked for Guayaquil, in order to visit from thence the celebrated 

 mountains of Quito. On arriving at Guayaquil, I found there two tra- 

 vellers, who were preparing to take the same route. These were Cap- 

 tain Wharton, an English naval officer ; and a young midshipman, 

 named Lincoln. The frigate which Wharton commanded had suffered 

 considerably in her voyage through the South Seas ; and as it was now 

 undergoing the necessary repairs, Wharton resolved to devote some of 

 his leisure time to visiting the forests and mountains of Quito. It was 

 quickly agreed that we should make the journey together. I found 

 Wharton a frank and open-hearted man ; and his young favourite, Lin- 

 coln, a youth of eighteen, had a handsome sun-burnt countenance, with 

 an expression of determined bravery. 



We set out on a fine clear morning, attended by my huntsman, Frank, 

 and two Indians, as guides. On beginning to ascend the mountain, the 

 scenery became more enchanting at every step. The mighty Andes, like 

 a vast amphitheatre, covered to their summits with gigantic forests, 

 towered aloft ; the snow-crested Chimborazo reared its proud front ; the 

 terrific Cotopaxi sent forth volumes of smoke and flame ; and innume- 

 rable other mountains, branching from the far-spreading Cordilleras, 

 faded away in the distance. With an involuntary shudder, I entered 

 the narrow path that leads into the magnificent forest. The monkeys 

 leaped from branch to branch ; the paroquets chattered incessantly ; and 

 the eagles, from amidst the tall cypresses where they had built their 

 nests, sent down a wild cry. The farther we advanced, new objects 

 presented themselves on every side : the stately palms, with their broad 

 sword-like leaves ; the singular soap-tree ; the splendid mongolia ; the 

 tall wax-tree, and the evergreen-oak, reared themselves proudly over 

 the orange groves, with whose fragrance was blended the aromatic per- 

 fume of the vanilla. 



Towards evening, our guides began to quicken their pace, and we 

 hastened after them. In a short time, they uttered a shout of joy, of 

 which we quickly discovered the cause. By the light of a large fire, 

 which was kindled in an open space of the forest, we descried a little 

 Indian village, consisting of several huts erected on trunks of trees, and 

 to which were appended ladders of reeds. The Indian who was em- 

 ployed in replenishing the fire, answered the cry of our guides in a 

 similar tone ; and, after a short conference, we were conducted into one 

 of the huts, where we passed the night. 



Early in the morning, we again resumed our way through the deep 

 shade of the forest, and in due time stopped to enjoy a repast under a 

 broad-leaved palm. Suddenly, one of the Indians motioned us to be 

 silent, and bending his ear to the ground, appeared to be listening to 

 some sound, which, however, was unheard by us. We paused, and 

 attentively watched his motions. In a few minutes he arose, and 

 beckoned us to follow him into the forest : he stopped often, and laid 

 his ear to the ground, and shortly after we heard a female voice shrieking 

 for help. We hurried on ; with difficulty restraining our young mid- 

 shipman from advancing before the rest of the party ; and had proceeded 

 but a short way, when the shriek was repeated close beside us. We 



We give this narration upon Danish authority. It is related by A. F. Elm- 

 quist, of Copenhagen. [Eo. 



