ushed on as fast as the rugged
nature of the country would allow us to move; crossing valleys and
streams, and climbing mountains, till we arrived at the foot of a lofty
and perfectly perpendicular precipice, along the foot of which we moved
for some distance. As I looked up, I saw that stones hurled from the
summit would completely have annihilated us. Almost at right angles
from the cliff arose another hill, up which we now began to climb. On
reaching the summit, we turned once more in the direction of the cliffs,
which we found were connected with the hill by a natural bridge of rock
thrown across a dark and frightful gorge. Ordering the horses to be
turned adrift on the hill, Manco, with his child in his arms, led the
way across the bridge, and along a narrow ledge, which now appeared as
if cut by natural labour in the side of the cliff. I kept close to him
to assist him if required; Ned followed, supporting Nita; Pedro, leading
Don Gomez, went next; and the Indians in single file after us. A couple
of hundred yards along a ledge, where a single false step would have
proved certain death, brought us to a hollow in the face of the rock,
entering which, we found ourselves in a cavern of very extensive
dimensions.

The ground was perfectly level, and the roof dry; and from the
appearance I judged that art had been employed to render it habitable.
Near the mouth were several pieces of wood which served for torches; and
fire being produced by some of the Indians, the cavern was soon
sufficiently lit up to show us its extent. On one side, a fountain of
pure water spouted from the rock; on the other, a quantity of wood was
piled up; and in some oven-shaped buildings, I found was stored a
quantity of corn.

It is impossible to conceive a place more impregnable by nature. The
summit of the cliffs, I afterwards found, was perfectly inaccessible;
while below they extended in a perpendicular wall to a depth of four
hundred feet at least. In front the valley widened out to a
considerable extent, the opposite cliff being also almost inaccessible,
so that the only possible approach was by the narrow ledge along which
we had come. Indeed it seemed capable of holding out against any
besiegers, as long as the provisions within might last.

As soon as we entered, Ned placed Nita on the ground, and Manco, faint
with loss of blood, as well as with fatigue and agitation, sunk down by
her side. Taking the infant from him, sh