ELDORADO 305 



named Houghton, commenced pawing the ground 

 about fifty yards off, and, by his persistence, attracted 

 the attention of the men. With a small spade which 

 they had brought along they commenced to dig, and 

 after sinking about four feet they found an abundant 

 supply of good water. The stragglers were all called 

 in and there was general rejoicing. They were fearful 

 of drinking too much, but having satisfied their thirst 

 they all fell to cooking their rice and whatever food 

 they had saved, in their drinking cups. Their next 

 thought was of those who had given out on the way. 

 Four of the party set out to their relief Vv'ith canteens 

 filled. They were found where they had halted ; two 

 were unable to speak from the swollen condition of 

 their tongues. Their joy was very great at the un- 

 looked for relief. They were allowed to drink, but 

 sparingly at first, but after a while they were able to 

 drink moderate draughts, and were assisted on to the 

 camp at the well. Most of the party remained here 

 all the next day, cooking and eating till they had noth- 

 ing left. Twelve of them started on and encamped in 

 a ravine without water, where they waited for the re- 

 mainder to join them and then continued their course 

 up the ravine that had the appearance of having been 

 blackened by volcanic fires. 



Tn their course they came to a very high mountain 

 which it seemed necessary that they must cross, but as 

 they came nearer they found a deep ravine interposed 

 and into this they must go. This seemed almost a 

 hopeless undertaking, as they had to get down by hold- 

 ing on to whatever they could, and by jumping from 

 rock to rock. When part of the way down they saw a 

 stream of water. In their eagerness to reach it many 



