90 DESCENT OF THE BRIGANTINE. 



As the missionaries were unable to persuade the 

 Indians to advance farther, the party returned. The 

 river, sparkling amid the foliage of the trees, seemed 

 like a distant picture, to which the mouth of the cave 

 formed a frame. Having sat down at the entrance 

 to enjoy a little needful repose, they partook of a 

 repast which the missionaries had prepared, and in 

 due time returned to the convent. 



The days which our travellers passed at this reli- 

 gious house glided hastily and pleasantly past. From 

 morning to night they traversed the forests and 

 mountains collecting plants ; and when the rains 

 prevented them from making distant excursions, 

 they visited the huts of the Indians ; returning to the 

 good monks only when the sound of the bell called 

 them to the solace of the refectory. Sometimes 

 also they followed them to the church, to witness 

 the religious instruction given to the Indians ; which 

 was found a difficult task, owing to the imperfect 

 knowledge of the Spanish language possessed by 

 the latter. The evenings were employed in taking 

 notes, drying plants, and sketching those that ap- 

 peared new. 



The natural beauties of this interesting valley 

 engaged them so much, that they were long in per- 

 ceiving the embarrassment felt by their kind enter- 

 tainers, who had now but a very slender store of 

 wine and bread. At length, on the 22d September, 

 they departed, followed by four mules carrying their 

 instruments and plants. The descent of the rugged 

 chain of the Brigantine and Cocollar, which is about 

 4400 feet in height, is exceedingly difficult. The 

 missionaries have given the name of Purgatory to 

 an extremely steep and slippery declivity at the base 

 of a sandstone rock, in passing which the mules, 

 drawing their hind-legs under their bodies, slide down 

 at a venture. From this point they saw towards the 

 left the great peak of Guacharo, which presented a 

 very picturesque appearance ; and soon after entered 



