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NARRATIVE OF A 



are only strong, flexible fibres, called in America bejucos^ 

 a great number had been woven together, so as to form a 

 cable of considerable strength and durability. This was 

 stretched across the river, and formed the floor of the 

 bridge, while on either side of it, and about three feet 

 higher, two parallel cables of smaller size, about the same 

 distance apart, formed the banister, or railing. The 

 space between the upper cables and the main one was 

 defended by a net-work of bejucos of a smaller size. 

 Some idea of this invention may be formed by comparing 

 it to a long narrow book, half open. In passing it, we 

 seemed to be playing the part of rope-dancers ; only that, 

 instead of a balance-pole, we had the side cables to aid us 

 in keeping an equilibrium. We passed one at a time, and 

 at every step we took, the bridge trembled from one end to 

 the other. The mules had to be unloaded, and being 

 driven into the stream, crossed it swimming. Their bur- 

 dens were carried over the bridge by the muleteers : an 

 operation that was not without its difficulties and dangers. 



It was some time before we were fairly on the other side, 

 and ready to pursue our journey. Meanwhile, I was 

 agreeably occupied in contemplating the beauty of the 

 natural scenery around me, which had very much the ap- 

 pearance of a theatrical decoration ; for there, a broad deep 

 river was flowing majestically before me in a serpentine 

 direction, its lofty banks fringed with a luxuriant vegeta- 

 tion ; a labyrinth of woods and mountains was visible in 

 the distance, and, over-head, a sky of refulgent brightness 

 spread a canopy of cerulean blue. 



Notwithstanding the delay incurred at the bridge, or 

 puente de bejucos, we performed that day a journey of 

 eight leagues. We passed the night among a few huts, 

 with few comforts to boast of, or, rather, with many incon- 

 veniences — hard beds, indifferent fare, and even some ex- 

 posure to the rain. The weather, which, during the day, 

 had been unusually fine, had changed towards evening, 



