JOURNEY TO THE SILVER MINE 



exactly similar to those which I have seen con- 

 structed in England of iron, although this bridge 

 has been there beyond the memory of man. The 

 path across it was covered with hurdles, and as the 

 torrent was much swollen, the water was rushing 

 over it with great velocity, which, of course, made 

 the bridge inchne very much. Our mules were unwil- 

 ling to cross it, and I certainly should have thought 

 it dangerous, had not a man who was on the oppo- 

 site side beckoned to us to come over. The bridge 

 bent with the weight of the mules, and the water 

 rushed with great violence against them, but they 

 leaned against it, and we all passed it without 

 accident; and in returning rode over it in the 

 dark. 



After continuing our journey about four miles, 

 we came to a small establishment for reducing the 

 ores raised from San Pedro Nolasco, and for the in- 

 teresting process of amalgamation, and we remained 

 here for the evening to inspect it. 



Without entering into a description of the esta- 

 blishment, it will only be observed, that the works 

 were laid out with a great deal of ingenuity, with a 

 very happy regard to economy, and that, although 



