DESCENT OF THE BRIGANTIXE. PI 



enjoy a little needful repose, tliey partook of a repast chap, viii 

 which the missionaries had prepared, and in due tiint, 

 returned to the convent. 



The days which our travellers passed at this religious Oceupntion 

 house glided hastily and pleasantly away. From morn- ° ^""'^' 

 ing to night tliey 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 hell 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 

 imperftct knowledge of the Spanish language possessed 

 by the latter. The evenings were employed in taking 

 notes, drying plants, and sketching those that ajjpeared 

 new. 



The natural beauties of this interesting valley engaged Embarrass- 

 them so much, that they were long in perceiving the {116?/ hosts 

 embarrassment felt by their kind entertainers, 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 exceed- 

 ingly difficult. The missionaries have given the name 

 of Purgatory to an extremely steep and slippery decli- Pnrgatoiy. 

 vity 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 toward the 

 left the great peak of Guacharo, which presented a very 

 picturesque appearance ; and soon after entered a dense 

 forest, through which they descended for seven hours 

 in a kind of ravine, the path being formed of steps from 

 two to three feet high, over which the mules leaped 

 like wild goats. The Creoles have sufficient confidence 

 in these animals to remain in their saddles during this 

 dangerous passage ; but our travellers preferred walking. 



The forest was exceedingly dense, and consisted of 



