SNOW-CORNICES. 



CHAPTER VI. 



ON" COTOPAXI AND ILLINIZA. 



When I was detained, a very unwilling guest, in the inn at 

 Chuquipoquio, kept by the possible Marquis, a project entered 

 my head from the execution of which I promised myself some 

 compensation for being obliged to quit Chimborazo prematurely. 

 My vexation had been keen at being compelled to retreat from 

 that mountain after so much labour had been expended in 

 establishing our lofty camps ; and although this was lessened 

 when I learned the real cause of the defection of my assistants, 

 and anger gave place to pity for the unfortunate sufferer, it 

 did not alter the fact that we left before our work was finished, 

 and that it was interrupted at an interesting point. 



We had learned on Chimborazo that mountain-sickness was 

 a reality. Although the more acute symptoms had disappeared, 

 whilst remaining at low pressures, it was not certain that they 

 would not reappear ; still less that they would not recur if we 

 remained continuously at a yet lower pressure than we had 



