VI SIERRA VENTANA 115 



that the jagged and battered forms of the hard quartz yet show 

 the effects of the waves of an open ocean. 



I was, on the whole, disappointed with this ascent. Even 

 the view was insignificant ; — a plain like the sea, but without 

 its beautiful colour and defined outline. The scene, however, 

 was novel, and a little danger, like salt to meat, gave it a relish. 

 That the danger was very little was certain, for my two 

 companions made a good fire — a thing which is never done 

 when it is suspected that Indians are near. I reached the 

 place of our bivouac by sunset, and drinking much mate, and 

 smoking several cigaritos, soon made up my bed for the night. 

 The wind was very strong and cold, but I never slept more 

 comfortably. 



September loth. — In the morning, having fairly scudded 

 before the gale, we arrived by the middle of the day at the 

 Sauce posta. On the road we saw great numbers of deer, and 

 near the mountain a guanaco. The plain, which abuts against 

 the Sierra, is traversed by some curious gulleys, of which one 

 was about twenty feet wide, and at least thirty deep ; we were 

 obliged in consequence to make a considerable circuit before we 

 could find a pass. We stayed the night at the posta, the con- 

 versation^ as was generally the case, being about the Indians. 

 The Sierra Ventana was formerly a great place of resort ; and 

 three or four years ago there was much fighting there. My 

 guide had been present when many Indians were killed : 

 the women escaped to the top of the ridge, and fought 

 most desperately with great stones ; many thus saving 

 themselves. 



September 1 1 th. — Proceeded to the third posta in company 

 with the lieutenant who commanded it. The distance is called 

 fifteen leagues ; but it is only guess-work, and is generally 

 overstated. The road was uninteresting, over a dry grassy 

 plain ; and on our left hand at a greater or less distance there 

 were some low hills ; a continuation of which we crossed close 

 to the posta. Before our arrival we met a large herd of cattle 

 and horses, guarded by fifteen soldiers ; but we were told many 

 had been lost. It is very difficult to drive animals across the 

 plains ; for if in the night a puma, or even a fox, approaches, 



