PERILS BY THE WAY. 



43 



roots, high at the trunk and tapering, not round, like 

 the roots of other trees, but straight, with sharp edges, 

 traversing rocks and the roots of other trees. It was 

 the last of the rainy season ; the heavy rains from 

 which we had suffered at sea had deluged the mount- 

 ain, and it was in the worst state, to be passable ; for 

 sometimes it is not passable at all. For the last few 

 days there had been no rain ; but we had hardly con- 

 gratulated ourselves upon our good fortune in having a 

 clear day, when the forest became darker and the rain 

 poured. The woods were of impenetrable thickness ; 

 and there was no view except that of the detestable 

 path before us. For five long hours we were dragged 

 through mudholes, squeezed in guUeys, knocked against 

 trees, and tumbled over roots ; every step required care 

 and great physical exertion ; and, withal, I felt that 

 our inglorious epitaph might be, tossed over the head 

 of a mule, brained by the trunk of a mahogany-tree, 

 and buried in the mud of the Mico Mountain." We 

 attempted to walk, but the rocks and roots were so 

 slippery, the mudholes so deep, and the ascents and 

 descents so steep, that it was impossible to continue. 



The mules were only half loaded, and even then 

 several broke down ; the lash could not move them ; 

 and scarcely one passed over without a fall. Of our 

 immediate party, mine fell first. Finding that I could 

 not save her with the rein, by an exertion that strained 

 every nerve I lifted myself from off her back, and 

 flung clear of roots and trees, but not of mud ; and I 

 had an escape from a worse danger : my dagger fell 

 from its sheath and stood upright, with the handle in 

 the mud, a foot of naked blade. Mr. Catherwood was 

 thrown with such violence, that for a few moments, 

 feeling the helplessness of our condition, I was horror- 



