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CHAPTER VI. 



Storm abates — Proceed — Find our Luggage buried in Snow 

 — :Cross over Natural Bridges of Snow — Arrive at the Foot 

 of the Cumbre— Magnificent Appearance — Description of 

 the Ascent — Arrive at the Summit — Puna, or Difficulty of 

 Breathing — ^Descend immediately — Deserted Goods laying 

 in the Cordillera — Terrific Descent of the Cuesta de Con- 

 cual — Method of Descending — Meet our Peons from Chili 

 — Clear the Snow — Feelings at the Time — Arrive at a 

 Deserted Guard-house — Alto del Soldado, or Soldier's 

 Leap — ^ Arrive at the Valley of Aconcagua — Chilian Ladies 

 — Valley of Quillota — Arrive at Valparaiso — Advice to 

 Travellers — Table of Thermometrical Observations. 



August '22nd, It pleased God to abate the 

 storm, and the morning proved fine^ but the wind 

 still high^ with thermometer at 30^ We started 

 early^ and commenced ascending the tremendous 

 mountain of snow before us ; every track was 



