480 SPANISH AMERICA. 



months were these poor fellows reduced 

 almost to the last state of misery, without 

 even the consolation of having been of ser- 

 vice to those whom they came to assist, 

 not having as yet met the enemy ; but, on 

 the contrary, being despised and detested 

 by their companions in arms as a useless 

 burthen, or, as they expressed themselves, 

 not worth the meat they consumed. 



But the cup of misery was not yet full ; 

 two-thirds of these last-named unfortunates 

 were still doomed to witness the other third 

 perish on one day's march, not in the field 

 of honour, for which they had so long and 

 so ardently wished, and even prayed, but 

 like frantic maniacs, on the summit of the 

 Andes, on what is called by the natives the 

 Paramo of Chisba. On this Paramo the 

 air is so exceedingly rarified, that it is very 

 difficult to breathe, and those who are 

 affected by it (or emparamados) become be- 

 numbed, froth at the mouth, and lose their 



