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others insisted that we should return ; which, however, was 

 out of the question, as there were a great number cf mules 

 behind, in situations where it was impossible for them to turn 

 round. After much time spent in altercation, it was agreed, 

 that as our opponents had more room to move about in, they 

 should endeavour to drive their mules up the hill above the 

 road, which was there rather less steep; this, with the 

 assistance of our muleteers, was at length accomplished; and 

 while we passed down thej^ remained perched in situations that 

 hardly promised footing for as many goats. There is, perhaps, 

 more risk in the descent than in the ladera itself, the road 

 making several sudden turns on the face of the hill, where 

 it is cut into steps to prevent the mules from slipping. 



In this part of the valley, on the south side, a hill rises 

 abruptly to an elevation of nearly a thousand feet, and from 

 its summit a slender stream, like a band of silver, fringed with 

 verdure, winds its way down the steep declivity. At the 

 highest point, though not seen from the same spot, is a small 

 Indian village, very difficult of access, whose inhabitants are 

 called in the Quichua language by the now classic name of 

 « The Children of the Mist." 



The aspect of the scenery was here totally changed. The 

 Cacti, which abounded on the granite and greenstone rocks 

 to some distance above Yazo, had disappeared with the 

 rocks themselves, and were succeeded by a more kindly 

 vegetation. Traj) tvfa, or conglomerate, was here the pre- 

 vailing rock. Porphyry appeared in a few places, and rolled 

 masses of it are imbedded in the tufa. The hills, though 

 steep, were much less rugged than before, and mostly 

 covered with shrubs and herbaceous plants, but the greater 

 part of them were past flowering. Near Huarimayo are many 

 Pourrettice and Aloes, especially A. perfoliata. In the valley, 

 after passing the Pacron, Tecoma samhucifolia and Mutisia 

 vicicefolia were common ; and, as we proceeded, the bank 

 was studded with the scarlet flowers of the latter. The 

 Tecoma, a very handsome shrub, is called by the Indians 

 Huarumo, and its wood, which is very tough, is much valued 

 for the shafts of lances. Higher up, I found the Moimima in 



