42 TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. iit. 



The disappearance of the mules and Indians was a more 

 serious matter. The arrieros could afford to take it coolly, as the 

 hire of their animals had been paid in advance. Deprived of 

 seven backs, two journeys became necessary to the second camp, 

 and the best arrangement I could make was to despatch Jean- 

 Antoine in charge of the caravan, whilst Louis and I waited 

 below at the foot of the vallon, ostensibly to finish work there, 

 but really to prevent any more desertions. 



Jean-Antoine went away at 10 a.m. on the 27th, with eight 

 laden mules, the three arrieros and Perring. He was to remain 

 above, to commence the establishment of the camp, and to send 

 the team back as soon as it could be unloaded. One mule was 

 retained below, for this beast seemed to be oppressed with such 

 a load of melancholy (which I attributed to sore ribs) that I 

 had not the heart to send it higher. Louis was well employed 

 in collecting firewood, and in transferring surplus stores up the 

 vallon to a depot ; whilst I, after finishing my proper work, went 

 aside, and stripped for a real good wash before going to regions 

 where ablutions were unknown. Presently there was a noise, 

 and I became aware that the mule had broken loose and was 

 frisking about. The animal rejoiced in freedom, and, intoxicated 

 by success, went as near to standing upon its head as a mule 

 can go. Its behaviour seemed to me supremely ungrateful, and 

 I went for that animal. It ran away ; but it was handicapped, 

 for it had a long halter, which trailed along the sandy plain, 

 whilst I ran unimpeded, and gained on it at every stride. When 

 I seized the halter it was I who was captured. The wretched 

 beast dragged me unmercifully over the sandy soil until Louis 

 came to my assistance, and we then towed it in triumph back 

 to camp. 



On the side of the Great Arenal three vallons lead up into 

 Chimborazo.^ One of these, narrow at its mouth and broader 

 above, is bounded at its upper extremity by the glacier which 



I See the map of Chimborazo inset on the large general map. 



