STONE-CROSS ON THE KRISTAWAJA. 
89 
and wife of one of the men ; but no dogs, which, like those of 
Saint Bernard, might assist the discovery of lost travellers 
amongst the snows. They informed me, it was only in the 
depths of winter, that occasions occurred for the exercise of their 
duty; and then, independent of their own personal exertions, it 
often happened that a far-wandered, or half-famished traveller 
was rescued from impending death, by the simple means of 
marks being set up as guides, at certain distances, on long 
poles; and, when the drift has nearly hidden their little habit¬ 
ation from view, some distinguishing signal, in the shape of a 
cloth banner, or the sculls of horses, hung out from a very high 
wooden post, has led many a poor perishing wretch to the 
rude but welcome refuge. Yet, I am sorry to add, notwith¬ 
standing all these precautions, whole companies of travellers have 
been overwhelmed, and smothered, by sudden snow storms; or, 
by losing their road in the darkness of night, have sunk in the 
ravine-beds of the spring-torrents, to rise no more. 
On the very apex of the Kristawaja, and just before the 
descent is to take place into the Aragua valley, stands a large 
stone cross raised on a pedestal of the same lasting materials. A 
proper memorandum to those who reach that point, having 
escaped all the accumulated dangers by which they must inevit¬ 
ably be encountered in making this arduous and terrible journey. 
But thoughtless must he be, who needs such a monitor to sti¬ 
mulate his most fervent acknowledgments to that Supreme 
Being who has brought him in safety through so many perils. 
Indeed, it is not possible for the mind to be more powerfully 
excited to pour forth its sense of dependence and gratitude, than 
where this sacred stone is set up ; such awful impulses present 
themselves on every side. The view to the south, spreads before 
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