208 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



We at length arrived opposite the mouth 

 of the cave, which a smoke made by the 

 Indians pointed out to us. It was situated 

 about 150 feet high, on the steep side of the 

 ridge of mountains that form the valley, 

 amidst a thick cover of trees and underwood, 

 in a place where there was not the slightest 

 indication of its existence. To this it was 

 necessary for us to climb in an almost per- 

 pendicular direction, obstructed by the roots 

 of fallen trees often piled together or lying 

 one over the other; in some parts it would 

 have been impossible to have forced a pas- 

 sage, had not the Indians with their bills 

 cut down the opposing bushes. Completely 

 exhausted, breathless, and soaked in per- 

 spiration, I lay down as soon as I reached a 

 spot where it could be done in safety, as in 

 the ascent the ground was so soft that we 

 sunk knee-deep, when unsupported by the 

 roots and branches on its surface. After 



