486 



the Creoles, he passed the rest of the day in a 

 neighbouring plantation, gazing at us with a 

 spying-glass directed to the Silla, as we climbed 

 the mountain. Unfortunately for us, he had 

 taken charge of the water and the provisions so 

 necessary in an excursion to the mountains. 

 The slaves, who were to rejoin us, were so long 

 detained by him, that they arrived very late, 

 and we remained during ten hours without 

 bread or water. This monk, who was not des- 

 titute of knowledge in natural philosophy, was 

 murdered a few years after by the savage In- 

 dians of Apure. 



The eastern is the most elevated of the two 

 peaks, which form the summit of the mountain, 

 and to this we directed our course with our 

 instruments. The hollow between these two 

 peaks has given the whole mountain the Span- 

 ish name of Si/la (saddle). A crevice, which 

 we have already mentioned, descends from this 

 hollow toward the valley of Caraccas. It is 

 nearest the western dome at it's origin. The 

 eastern summit is accessible only by going first 

 to the west of the crevice over the promontory 

 of the Puerta, proceeding straight forward to 

 the lower summit ; and not turning to the east 

 till we have almost reached the ridge, or the 

 hollow of the Silla between the two peaks. The 

 general aspect of the mountain points out this 

 path ; the rocks being so steep to the east of 



