ness; but this time I resolved that I
would not return from this expedition, as I had from former ones,
without having made every possible effort to explore its dimensions
and recesses. Lindsay, Dr. Genu, and my brother, participated in
my resolution of verifying whether or not there was any semblance
of truth in what the Indians related concerning that grotto; or if,
as I had so often experienced it myself, their poetic minds did not
create what had never existed. Their old Indian traditions attributed
to that cavern an immense extent. There, they would say, are to be
seen fairy palaces, with which nothing could be compared, and which
were the residences of fantastical beings. Determined, then, on seeing
with our own eyes all these wonders, we set out for San-Mateo, taking
with us an Indian, having with him a crowbar and a couple of pickaxes,
to dig us out a way, should we have the chance of prolonging our
subterraneous walk beyond the limits which we all already knew. We
also took with us a good provision of flambeaus, so necessary to
put our project into execution. We arrived early at San-Mateo, and
spent the remaining part of the day in visiting admirable views and
situations in the neighbourhood. We also went down into the bed of
a torrent that takes its source in the mountains, and passes through
the north side of this district; there we saw several Indians, male
and female, all busy in washing the sand in search of gold-dust. Their
daily produce at this work varies from one to ten francs; this depends
on the more or less fortunate vein that perchance they fall on. This
trade, together with the tilling of land--to be equalled by no other
in fertility--and hewing timber for building, which is to be found
most plentifully on the neighbouring mountains, is all the wealth of
the inhabitants, who, in most part, live in abundance and prosperity.

At the next day's dawn we were on our way to the grotto, which is
about two hours' walk from the village. The road, which is bordered
by nature's most beautiful productions in vegetation, traverses the
finest rice plantations, and is of most easy access; however, about
half-way, it suddenly becomes dangerous and even difficult. Here we
leave the cultivated fields, and follow along the banks of the river,
which flows in the midst of not very high mountains, and has so many
bends, twistings, and meanderings, that, in order to cross it, it is
necessary at almost every moment to ha