228 A DANGEROUS ROUTE. 



in their route, by a stupendous barrier of precipi- 

 tous rock, as if a mountain, impending over the 

 river on the right, had shot forth one of its mighty 

 arms, for the purpose of arresting the waters in 

 their progress. On drawing nearer, however, a 

 fissure, extending from the summit to the base, 

 through the very heart of the rock, was perceptible, 

 through which the river rushed in a more confined 

 channel. It was evident that, unless they could 

 pass' onwards through this fissure, there was no 

 alternative but to return. As they approached, 

 the guides evinced considerable anxiety, casting 

 anxious looks at certain blocks of stone embedded 

 in small pools detached from the main current of 

 the stream. 



" The waters are higher than they were yester- 

 day," said one. 



" And are rising at this moment," replied his 

 comrade,*\vho was carefully watching the smooth 

 side of one of the detached blocks, half-filling the 

 calm and unruffled surface of one these diminutive 

 lakes. And again, with scrutinising eyes, they 

 looked towards the fissure. 



" Shall we be able to stem the torrent in yonder 

 spot ?" asked the traveller. 



" We hope so," they hastily answered ; " but not 

 a moment must be lost." And suiting the action 

 to the word, their horses were spurred on at full 



