Doubling a large rock there appeared high above them the Fort of Cochicalcho, built by the ancient Mexicans on a spot elevated nineteen thousand feet above the sea. The travelers directed their course towards the base of this vast cone, which was crowned by tottering rocks and crumbling ruins.
After having dismounted and fastened their horses to the trunk of a tree, Martinez and Jose, wishing to ascertain the direction of their road, climbed up to the summit of the cone, assisted by the ruggedness of the sides.
Night now coming on made the outline of objects appear very indistinct, and assume the most fantastic forms. The old fort did not ill-resemble an enormous bison, crouching down, its head immovable; but as Martinez looked at the figure, his disordered imagination made him fancy that he saw the body of the monstrous animal move. He did not, however, say anything lest he should lay himself open to the railleries of the unscrupulous Jose. The latter hastily made his way round a part of the hill, and after he had disappeared for some time behind some broken fragments, he summoned his companion with the loudness of his " Saint lagos! " and " Saint Marias! "
All of a sudden, an enormous night-bird, uttering a hoarse shriek, slowly rose on its outstretched wings.
Martinez stopped short; a vast mass of rock was seen to shake -about thirty feet above him, then a portion of the mass became detached, and, shattering everything in its passage with the rapidity of a cannon-ball, came crashing down-wards, and was engulfed in the abyss below.
" Santa Maria ! " cried the seaman. " Hello, lieutenant, what has happened? "
"Jose!"
" Here ! " The two Spaniards joined each other.
" What a fearful avalanche descended on us ! " exclaimed the seaman. Martinez followed him without saying a word, and the two soon regained the lower plateau.
Here a large furrow marked the passage of the rock.
" Santa Maria ! " exclaimed Jose. " Look here ! Our two horses have disappeared crushed dead ! "
" It is too true ! " said Martinez.
" See here ! " The tree to which the two animals had Been fastened had been indeed carried away with them.
