1835.] INC AS BRIDGE. 335 



cemented togetiier by the deposits of the neighbouring hot 

 springs. It appears, as if the stream had scooped out a channel 

 on one side, leaving an overhanging ledge, which was met by 

 earth and stones falling down from the opposite cliff. Certainly 

 an oblique junction, as would happen in such a case, was very 

 distinct on one side. The Bridge of the Incas is by no means 

 worthy of the great monarchs whose name it bears. 



5th. We had a long day's ride across the central ridge, from 

 the Incas Bridge to the Ojos del Agua, which are situated near 

 the lowest casuc/ta on the Chilian side. These casuchas are round 

 little towers, with steps outside to reach the floor, which is raised 

 some feet above the ground on account of the snow-drifts. They 

 are eight in number, and under the Spanish government were 

 kept during the winter well stored with food and charcoal, and 

 each courier had a master-key. Now they only answer the pur- 

 pose of caves, or rather dungeons. Seated on some little emi- 

 nence, they are not, however, ill suited to the surrounding scene 

 of desolation. The zigzag ascent of the Cumbre, or the partition 

 of the waters, was very steep and tedious; its height, according 

 to Mr. Pentland, is 12,454 feet. The road did not pass over any 

 perpetual snow, although there were patches of it on both hands. 

 The wind on the summit was exceedingly cold, but it was impos- 

 sible not to stop for a few minutes to admire, again and again, 

 the colour of the heavens, and the brilliant transparency of the 

 atmosphere. The scenery was grand : to the westward there was 

 a fine chaos of mountains, divided by profound ravines. Some 

 snow generally falls before this period of the season, and it has 

 even happened that the Cordillera have been finally closed by this 

 time. But we were most fortunate. The sky, by night and by 

 day, was cloudless, excepting a few round little masses of vapour, 

 that floated over the highest pinnacles. I have often seen these 

 islets in the sky, marking the position of the Cordillera, when 

 the far-distant mountains have been hidden beneath the horizon. 



April 6th. In the morning we found some thief had stolen 

 one of our mules, and the bell of the madrina. We therefore 

 rode only two or three miles down the valley, and staid there the 

 ensuing day in hopes of recovering the mule, which the arriero 

 thought had been hidden in some ravine. The scenery in this 

 part had assumed a Chilian character : the loyver sides of the 



