LAKE OF GUATAYITA. 207 



connected with the worship of the Lagoon, 

 at the entrance of which formerly stood two 

 golden figures, as large as life. A Spanish 

 soldier who first wandered to the place, cut 

 off one of the fingers, when he was attacked 

 by the natives, wounded, and with difficul- 

 ty made his escape. Having related what 

 he had seen, a strong party of the Spa- 

 niards proceeded, well armed, to the spot ; 

 but no figures were to be found, nor could 

 they discover the entrance of the cave. The 

 Indians, hearing that a strong force would 

 come to revenge their wounded companion, 

 are supposed to have carefully stopped up 

 the cave, and thrown the golden figures into 

 the lake. 



From this spot the view is very remark- 

 able — verdant plains stretching beneath your 

 feet ; various collateral ridges of the Andes, 

 in straight lines, appearing to the westward ; 

 and the rear closed by the Andes them- 



