22 TRAVELS A3I0NGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. ii. 



The buttresses in the immediate vicinity of Tortorillas were very 

 steep, and came to sudden terminations on the sandy plain. 

 The vallons, however, between them were moderately inclined, 

 and we heard that mules frequently went up one of them to 

 fetch ice, which was cut for sale in Gruayaquil. It was clear 

 that we should be able to take natives about 2000 feet above 

 Tortorillas, or to about 15,000 feet above the sea, — how much 

 higher could not be said. 



Having learnt this, and obtained a notion of the position of 

 Chimborazo, we returned in the course of the evening to Gua- 

 randa,^ and on the next day, the mountain still remaining invisible, 

 made the acquaintance of the very thin upper crust of the town, 

 which was composed of the official termed the ' Jefo-politico,' 

 the Commissary of Police, and the Priest ; and discovered on the 

 other side of our courtyard a pretty Spanish girl, with lustrous 

 black eyes, who captivated the Carrels — by peeling their potatoes. 



The Jefo-politico, Sefior Don Dario Montenegro, Lieut. -Col. 

 in the Ecuadorian army, and Senor Don J. Pazmino, Commissary 

 of Police, made themselves agreeable. We exchanged visits, and 

 I found tliat they knew more about my intentions than I did 

 myself. A few days later they gave me another call, evidently 

 with something upon their minds, though I could not perceive 

 what was the object of the interview. At length the principal 

 official thus addressed me. "'Senor, we understand perfectly, 

 that in an affair like yours, it is necessary to dissemble, — a little ; 



1 Whilst returning, I was overcome with dizziness, feverishness, and intense 

 headache, and had to be supported by two of my people part of the way. Owing 

 to this, we occupied as long in returning as in ascending. I took 30 grains of 

 sulphate of quinine in the course of the night, and was covered up with a mount- 

 ain of blankets, and in the niornmg became all light again. 



Left Guaranda 4.30 a.m. Stopped 20 min. en route. Arrived at the top of 

 the Great Arenal 10.35 a.m., and at Tortorillas 11.45 a.m. Left Tortorillas 

 1 p.m., and arrived at Guaranda 8.30 p.m. I, estimate the distance to Tortor- 

 illas and back at 35 miles. 



At 6 a.m. the shade temp, in the open air was 45° Faht. At 7.45 a.m., 49°; 

 at 10.35 am. (summit of Arenal), 52°; and at Tortorillas, at mid-day, SG^'S. 



