18 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
requires several hours to make the passage. The latter 
city is the capitol of the province, and is situated on the 
slope of a mountain, and in fact rests in a valley formed 
by the mountain you cross in going to it, and another 
higher mountain south a few miles, the towering summits 
of which, during a clear atmosphere, form a beautiful 
prospect, and seem to overhang the city. This mountain 
is called the Silla, and is the north-eastern termination 
of the great range of the Andes, and rises to the height of 
about 9000 feet above the sea. 
“ During the few months I remained at Caraccas, it 
was proposed by one of my friends that I should join him 
in an excursion to this mountain, not only to behold the 
beautiful scenery, which an ascent would unfold to view, 
but spend a few days to range the table lands and promon- 
tories in hunting some of the wild animals known to abide 
o 
in that region. Accordingly we made every preparation 
necessary for the occasion, and, accompanied by a guide, 
we departed on the appointed day towards the summit of 
the Silla. We had arranged matters so, that by starting 
at sunrise, we should be able to make a tolerable ascent 
before night, and on the next day, if not able to reach the 
summit of the mountain, go at least to the boundary of 
vegetation and back again to our resting place before the 
evening. 
“Born in the wild and mountainous regions of my own 
happy land, I had learned from childhood, to scale the 
rugged sides of the green hills in Vermont, (my native 
state,) and wend the toilsome way after game, as often in 
fruitless as successful pursuit, the characteristic features of 
those highlands having made hunting a necessary part in 
the life of every resident there. It was, therefore, not 
without peculiar sensations of pleasure, that an occasion 
was presented to vary the scene of action, especially as it 
was so eminently calculated to recal to mind the incidents 
I had so often experienced at home. 
“My companion was one whose friendship I had tested, 
and whose energies were unabating, and to whom I had 
formed a sincere attachment, which became mutual, and 
strengthened by absence from home and a residence among 
strangers; and in the enjoyment of these social ties, we 
passed much of our time together, without mixing with 
the heterogeneous inhabitants of Caraccas. 
“The day was remarkably line, and by three o’clock, 
P. M. found we had made great progress in our ascent, 
although we had overcome many difficult passages over 
rocks, across savannas, and through almost impenetrable 
vegetation; we therefore resolved on halting for half an 
hour, previous to another and last attempt for that day. 
We then pursued our course with a view to reach a spot, 
known as a resting place at night for travellers. In this 
we succeeded about seven o’clock, and made preparations 
to remain for the night. Our intention was to complete, 
if possible, the ascent of the mountain, without deviating 
from a direct course, and spend no time in hunting until 
after we had descended nearer the base of the mountain; 
but on the above evening we had reached our goal at an 
earlier period than we had anticipated; and being enticed 
by a neighbouring promontory, we determined to reach 
its summit, and take a survey of the surrounding coun- 
try. We therefore buckled on our accoutrements, shoul- 
dered our guns, and with our guide directed our footsteps 
successfully to this elevated spot. 
“ The sun had sunk behind the great western mountains, 
and we could see his traces no where but by the golden 
tinges of a few flying clouds. Mildness and serenity 
reigned throughout the vast expanse which lay beneath 
our feet, and no living creature animated the scene but a 
few king-vultures, which were hovering around and over 
us. We sat musing, wrapt up as we were by the grandeur 
of the scenery, which to the east was bounded only by the 
distant horizon of the sea, while we computed our eleva- 
tion at upwards of six thousand feet. My companion’s 
feelings were completely in unison with mine; but our 
more thoughtless guide found pleasure only in searching 
the sides of the mountain for a number of small smooth 
stones. At this interesting period, our attention was at- 
tracted by an animal that had just emerged from a thicket 
close to our left, and seemed totally unconscious of the 
presence of an enemy. It was a small deer, ( Cervus 
Mexicanus,) and was browsing on the variety of herbs, 
which grew in great abundance, and might properly be 
called Alpine plants. The eyes of my companion and 
mine met at the same moment; and with smiles expressive 
of surprise at the new visitor, we hesitated to commit any 
violence, so little were we prepared in our feelings to effect 
its death. Poor littte innocent! — it had perhaps just risen 
from its lair, on the approach of twilight, to satisfy the 
cravings of appetite, and enjoy the bounteous repast which 
nature had spread before it, unconscious of attending dan- 
ger. In a moment, however, it was stricken to the earth 
by a tiger, or juguar, which no doubt had been so Intent 
on its prey as to be unheedful of every thing else. We 
instantly rose from our seats, and discharged our guns 
simultaneously at the monster, and killed it. 
“ Our guide, whose attention was attracted by the ani- 
mal as it sprung on its victim, and by the victorious growl 
in securing it, had become so panic struck, that he did not 
notice the report of our guns, but sunk on his knees and 
crossing himself, offered up constant ejaculations, address- 
ing himself sometimes in these terms — ‘ Oh! holy virgin, 
why have you permitted me to be led by these heretics 
