CLEAR THE SNOW. 



157 



we very soon came to green shrubs, to rest 

 our wearied eyes upon, and nature again ap- 

 peared in her smiling aspect, cheering us up 

 to prosecute our journey. One of the passes 

 on this side had also given way, owing to a 

 heavy fall from above. The broken part of the 

 mountain showed five distinct lines of strata, as 

 perfect as if they had been painted : I picked 

 up the different specimens of each. The cargo 

 mule on passing this ladera, slipped, and rolled 

 down the mountain into the bed of the torrent, 

 two hundred feet beneath, and cut its hind legs 

 in a dreadful manner. 



As the sun went down, we arrived at La 

 Guardia, the first habitation coming out of the 

 Cordillera; but such had been the severity of 

 the winter, that it was deserted : neverthe- 

 less, finding ourselves safe out of the dismal 

 Cordillera, it proved a most welcome and cheer- 

 ing habitation to us ; and it was with the purest 

 feelings of gratitude I lifted my heart to God 

 for his gracious protection and preservation to 



