40 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



noisy celebration of the day. It began with a dark mist 

 that covered everything. Then rain and hail fell unin- 

 terruptedly for more than an hour, while lightning flashed 

 and blue-green flames seemed to leap toward the blackened 

 rock. Sometimes the bolts came from above, and again 

 they were below us so that we were enveloped in a weird, 

 ghastly light. The thunder was terrific and kept up a con- 

 tinuous crash and rumble. It was impossible to see any 

 other member of the expedition on account of the thick 

 haze — there was no shelter of any kind — only the narrow 

 shelf-like trail that snaked its way along the steep slope. 

 After the storm we made camp; the men and mules kept 

 straggling in until a late hour; they were very wet and 

 much bedraggled, but apparently none the worse for the 

 nerve-racking experience. 



Popayan was reached without further incident. Rich- 

 ardson's contract having expired, he determined to leave 

 the countiy, so we returned to Cali to rearrange the equip- 

 ment and pack the collections; then he left for Buena- 

 ventura to take a north-bound steamer. 



In the meantime Doctor Chapman, who had reached 

 New York, arranged to send down a man to fill the vacancy 

 left by Richardson. Doctor Arthur A. Allen, of Cornell 

 University, was selected for the place. He reached Cali 

 about the middle of August and accompanied me during 

 the succeeding eight months. 



In compliance with instructions received from Doctor 

 Chapman, I immediately planned an expedition northward, 

 then toward the east to make a zoological exploration of the 

 forests bordering the Quindio Pass and of the high paramo 

 of Santa Isabel. The first stage of the journey was down 

 the Cauca River. 



Regular steamboat service is maintained between Guan- 

 chito and Cartago during the rainy season. The Sucre, a 

 boat of small size, makes frequent voyages, requiring about 

 three days' time each way. On this vessel one may travel 

 in comparative comfort — if one is not too squeamish. We 



