MINKS. 343 



found a difficulty in advancing, in conse- 

 quence of the vast accumulation of manure, 

 from multitudes of bats, who had taken up 

 their abode in the cave, since its desertion 

 by man. The noise they made in the inte- 

 rior resounded like thunder. We soon en- 

 countered some of them, who flitting past 

 us, extinguished two of our three candles, 

 which made us more cautious in guarding 

 our light ; and by throwing stones before us 

 as we advanced, we succeeded in expelling 

 them. On reaching the load, at the extre- 

 mity of the mine, I found it, on examination, 

 to consist of white marble, containing appa- 

 rently a little silver, but in very small quan- 

 tities, and no signs of gold whatever. On 

 quitting this cave we clambered over the 

 mountain to another. On gaining the sum- 

 mit, we encountered a piercing cold air, 

 which much affected my chest, as I had no 

 means of wrapping myself up, being only 

 provided (in conformity with the advice of 



