path till we gained a broad terrace, from whence we could look down into
the valley and over the summits of numerous heights beyond. Still the
air, though pure and bracing from its dryness, caused no sensation of
cold. High as we were, too, there were several mountains in sight which
were still higher.

We had proceeded along the terrace; one mountain rose directly in front
of us, with a perpendicular face of great height. The rush of water
sounded in our ears; and as we advanced we caught sight of the stream
flowing across the platform, and proceeding out of the very side of the
mountain, as it seemed to us. Advancing for a few hundred yards? more,
we discovered that it flowed from beneath a magnificent arch forming the
entrance to a vast cavern,--the rocks which surrounded it being covered
with superb trees, and rich vegetation of most varied hue, nourished by
the ever-flowing stream. Here were the gigantic mammee-tree, and the
genipa, with large and shining leaves, raising their branches vertically
towards the sky; while others, extending their boughs horizontally,
formed a thick canopy of verdure over the entrance. Orchidae, and a
host of plants whose names I do not know, grew out of the clefts of the
rocks; while creepers waved in the wind, or formed a graceful drapery of
festoons hanging from the boughs, decked with flowers of nearly all the
colours of the rainbow--some of purple, others of orange colour, many of
bright yellow, and numbers perfectly white, glittering like stars amid
the dark green of the surrounding foliage. We all stood for a few
seconds lost in astonishment at the unexpected scene.

"In the recesses of this cavern, my friends, you may remain as long as
you desire, without danger of being discovered by your enemies,"
observed Kanimapo. "The Gothos are unacquainted with its existence; and
but few of our people, indeed, know the way to it. Abundance of wild
fruit is to be found in the woods, and game of all sorts is plentiful;
while the cavern itself will manage to afford us an ample supply of
food, should we be prevented from going forth to search for it."

As may be supposed, we were eager to explore the cavern; but my mother
and sister, as well as my father and the padre, were too much fatigued
to make the attempt. My father suggested, therefore, that we should
encamp in a shady spot at the entrance and take some food; after which
those who were so disposed might, under the guidance