SINGULAR MOUNTAIN OF GRANITE. 101 



was truly astonishing to see them resting literally 

 against the side of the mountain^ and thus crawl- 

 ing along. It occupied us some time in getting 

 the mules over ; but all passed without any acci- 

 dent, and we loaded again^ and proceeded on. 

 On the opposite side of the stream, was a most 

 astonishing mountain of granite, not to be equal- 

 ed, I should imagine, in the world. I pointed it 

 out to my companion, who had never before re- 

 marked it, but was equally astonished with my- 

 self. Tt consisted of one solid mass, of at least 

 fourteen or fifteen hundred feet high, and very 

 nearly perpendicular ; having all the appearance 

 of a tremendous dark wall, without one single 

 vein of strata running through it. We soon 

 came to the second pass, or Ladera de la Jaula, 

 which was tolerable, and we passed it easily 

 enough with the mules loaded; in fact, where 

 there is any footing, as I have before observed, 

 1 do not think any danger is to be appre- 

 hended, excepting from timidity ; for, even 

 should stones fall from above, by having presence 



