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NARRATIVE OF A 



trying a second time, she turned her head first on one 

 side, and then on the other, as if she contemplated taking 

 a leap. 



Apprehensive of this, I hastened to dismount, and 

 taking the bridle in my hand, tried to lead her over ; but 

 she had resolved not to advance another step. I would 

 fain have embraced the alternative of retracing my steps ; 

 but this was an undertaking even more hazardous than 

 that of proceeding. The bridge was scarcely five feet 

 broad, and, as before stated, had no railing on its sides. 

 Thus, the space afforded for turning the mule was just 

 equal to the distance between the fore and the hinder feet 

 of the animal. The risk of her falling over, either back- 

 wards or forwards, was imminent. But the attempt must 

 of necessity be made. Accordingly, holding the bridle 

 loosely in my hand, so as in case of a mishap to avoid 

 being entangled by it, and dragged into the water, I drew 

 the mule gently round, and, to my surprise and satisfac- 

 tion, saw her perform this evolution with complete suc- 

 cess, though, in the act of it, her feet before and behind 

 came at the same time within an inch or two of the edge 

 of the bridge. 



Having forded the river, and joined the party, I was 

 rallied on my adventure, and made a subject of merri- 

 ment for the rest of the day. 



Leaving the valley, we now commenced ascending a se- 

 ries of rocky heights, from which a fine view was afforded 

 occasionally of the plains below the town of Salama, the 

 river, and the hacienda of St. Geronimo, which could be 

 seen in the distance whitening through the trees. The 

 country grew more wild and rugged as we advanced, until 

 it became a very labyrinth of woods, and rocks, and preci- 

 pices. Further on, in passing through a forest, I was 

 struck with the size and beauty of some of the trees, on 

 the branches of which might be seen a variety of parasiti- 

 cal plants, that grew without any other nourishment than 

 the little moisture they derived from the bark to which 



