A TIGER- HUNT. 47 



Spending the night at the upper hacienda, at early- 

 dawn we were preparing for the excursion of the day — a 

 tiger-hunt among the mountains. Hastily taking our 

 coffee, we mounted our saddles, and were on our way up 

 the Cordillera, attended by two natives and the hospitable 

 German who had charge of the hacienda. From time to 

 time in the ascent we caught a momentary glimpse of the 

 country below through openings in the white fleecy clouds, 

 but, as the highest point of observation was reached, the 

 mist was dispelled, and we had before us a picture that 

 we shall long remember. As we cast our eyes downward, 

 almost beneath our feet we beheld the charming valley we 

 had left, and beyond, separated by a range of wooded 

 hills which appeared scarcely elevated above the sur- 

 rounding level, was the fertile plain of Valencia, and still 

 farther on the Golden Valleys of Aragua. There was the 

 city of Valencia, and beyond, in the midst of forest and 

 cultivated grounds, was that gem of lakes whose waters 

 glistened under the light of the morning sun. To oiar left 

 and far distant rose semi-isolated mountains with barren 

 slopes and sharp summits, while to the southward wei-e 

 the siex-ras of Nirgua and Guique, and beyond, range 

 after range piled itself against the sky. Rarely, indeed, 

 does the eye behold a more glorious prospect than is 

 gained from the lofty mountains of Valencia. 



Leaving the animals in charge of one of the natives, 

 with instructions to wait until our return, and taking the 

 other with us for a guide, we plunged into the dense for- 

 est. He who is acquainted only with northern woods can 

 have but a faint conception of the primeval forest of the 

 tropics. Gigantic trees rise to a height unknown in tem- 

 perate regions, displaying the greatest variety in the form 

 and aspect of their foliage. Towering and crested palms 

 shoot upward straight as an arrow, waving their pinion- 

 Uke leaves in the breezes. Arborescent ferns and grasses. 



