WE START FOR CIIIMBORAZO. 



39 



reduced the height of the place they had selected for the 

 second camp to 16,450 feet, and up to that spot, they said, 

 animals might be taken. 



AVe now thought that there was nothing to hinder us from 

 starting on the 24th, but upon discussing matters with the 

 arrieros it appeared that our departure must be postponed, as 

 they would not be absent from Guaranda on Christmas Day. 

 At 9.45 a.m. on the 26th our troop of fourteen animals (ten 



for baggage and four 

 for riding) filed out of 

 the yard,^ followed by 

 three arrieros and two 

 Indians who were em- 

 ployed to carry some 

 long poles which were 

 wanted for signals and 

 other uses. The Priest 

 blessed me and mine, 

 and all that we had. 

 The Chief of the Police, 

 dressed in his best, 

 came to see us oif ; 

 while the populace of Gruaranda sat on a wall and regarded us 

 with stolidity. 



The Indians were supplied by the Authorities, and proved 

 an undesirable contingent. They lagged behind under various 

 pretences, with the obvious intention of bolting, and would 

 speedily have disappeared had not somebody kept in the rear 

 to prevent their escape.^ One of them, an exceptionally sulky 



THE POPULACE AT GUARANDA. 



1 The price demanded for baggage or riding animals in Ecuador was generally 

 very moderate. On this occasion it was a 7:)e.so (equal to about 2s. 8d.) per day 

 and forage. 



2 They were paid in advance, according to the custom of the country, and 

 had to be provided with shoes. Although natives of all sorts were continually 



