HIDDEN TREASURE 505 



from which the expedition first spoken of regressed 

 in consequence of the Padre's sudden disappearance. 

 Beyond this point the climate begins to be warm ; 

 and there are parrots in the forest. The deep dry 

 quebrada (Ouebrada honda), which can be passed 

 only at one point difficult to find, unless by throw- 

 ing a bridge over it is exactly where it should be ; 

 but beyond the mountain of Margasitas, which is 

 shortly afterwards reached, no one has been able 

 to proceed with certainty. The Derrotero directs 

 it to be left on the left hand ; but the explanatory 

 hieroglyph puzzles everybody, as it seems to leave 

 the mountain on the right. Accordingly, nearly all 

 who have attempted to follow the Derrotero have 

 gone to the left of Margasitas, and have failed to 

 find any of the remaining marks signalised by 

 Valverde. The concluding direction to those who 

 lose their way in the forest has also been followed ; 

 and truly, after going along the right bank of the 

 Curaray for some distance, a stream running 

 between perpendicular cliffs (Canada honda y 

 Rivera de los Llanganatis) is reached, which no 

 one has been able to cross ; but though from this 

 point the mountain to the right has been climbed, 

 no better success has attended the adventurers. 



" Socabon " is the name given in the Andes to 

 any tunnel, natural or artificial, and also to the 

 mouth of a mine. Perhaps the latter is meant by 

 Valvercle, though he does not direct us to enter it. 

 The " Salvaje " which might have grown over and 

 concealed the entrance of the Socabon is Tillandsia 

 usneoides, which frequently covers trees and rocks 

 with a beard 30 or 40 feet long. 



Comparing the map with the Derrotero, I should 



