

THE BELLS OF PEDREGAL. 



CHAPTER Aail. 



THE FIRST ASCEKT OF SINCHOLAGUA. 



During our stay at tlie summit of Cotopaxi, we had remained 

 continuously for twenty-six hours at a lower pressure than had 

 been experienced during any twenty-six consecutive hours on 

 Chimborazo/ without having a recurrence of what I have ven- 

 tured to term the acute symptoms of mountain-sickness ; and this 

 was satisfactory^ as it indicated that we had become somewhat 

 habituated to low pressures. It is material to observe that, 

 although we were actively employed during much of the time, 

 the Avork in which we were engaged did not tax our strength. It 

 is by no means certain, if larger demands had been made upon 

 it, that our condition would have remained equally sound. 



The ascent of Cotopaxi, however, was considered severely scien- 

 tific by my men. Prolonged residences in exalted situations were 



^ The highest reading of the mercurial barometer (reduced to 32° Faht.) at our 

 camp (135 feet below the summit of Cotopaxi) was 14*808 inches, and the lowest 

 was 14-761 inches. This (19,500 feet) was the most elevated position at which 

 we encamped on the journey. 



