270 BENEATH THE FOEEST. 



wc crossed, and cncumpcd upon the right bank. The next 

 morning one of our Indians was suflering from a sprain, 

 and we were compelled to remain in camp for the day. A 

 heavy rain, that had set in the night before, continued 

 throughout the day, until the Cosanga became so swollen 

 as to sweep away the bridge by which we had crossed the 

 evening previous. Fortunate was it for us that we had 

 not encamped upon the opposite bank. The following day 

 found our Indian no better, and, not daring to delay 

 longer, we left him in a little ranch, with a suj^ply of pro- 

 visions, to await the return of the others from Archidona. 

 For the greater part of the day we made a gentle descent, 

 the trail running along the crest of Guacamayo ridge, 

 which radiates from the main cordillera. Descending 

 from this range, we crossed the Cochachimbamba, and 

 passed the night at a camping-place which rejoiced in the 

 name of Guayusapugaru. 



Early the following morning we reached the Hondachi, 

 a broad stream, rushing down an inclined bed, broken by 

 liuge bowlders. In attempting to cross, it was with the 

 utmost difficulty that our Indians, accustomed as they were 

 to fording torrents, retained their footing. We scarcely 

 realized the danger of the attempt until one poor fellow 

 was swept from his feet and borne down the rapids ; for- 

 tunately, he caught a projecting bowlder, and was assisted 

 ashore. In fording streams, instead of leaning against the 

 current, as we very naturally did, before initiated, our In- 

 dians would lean with it. With the body in this position, 

 the water tends to press the feet upon the bottom. Lack- 

 ing the dexterity of our Indians, we deemed it prudent, 

 before attempting the passage of the maddened Hondachi, 

 to have stretched across the torrent a rope, with which we 

 were fortunately provided. This, being too short to span 

 the river, was held at either end by an Indian, who, stand- 

 ing: a short distance in the stream, braced himself with a 



