CHAP. XIII. A CAMP IN A SWA3IP, 241 



most of the others, ou the 7th, 8th, and 9th to explore in the 

 direction of Sara-urcu. 



At this time I was feverish, and found my internals going 

 wrong, from the last few days^ experiences ; and remained in 

 the hut under a pile of ponchos, directing operations. The 

 scouts came back with bad reports. The animals, they said, 

 could go no farther ; there was an end to paths and trails, except 

 occasional wild-beast tracks ; there was nothing whatever to eat, 

 and everything must be carried ; there was no place to camp 

 upon, the whole country was a dismal swamp ; and everlasting 

 rain w^as falling ; so much so that, although they supposed they 

 had been near to Sara-urcu, they were quite unable to be sure. 

 On discussion, it was concluded that the tents must be left 

 behind, as we were not strong enough to carry both them, the 

 wraps and food. Hence it was indispensable to find a place 

 which would afford some protection against weather, and wild- 

 animals ; and on the third day they reported an overhanging 

 cliff' which would answer sufficiently well. It was arranged that 

 Cevallos should remain at La Dormida to care for his beasts, 

 with the Jovial Man to go to and fro between the village and 

 the hut transporting provisions, which Avere to be brought to 

 the front by A^erity and the Spy ; while David acted as camp- 

 keeper at the advanced post, and the Carrels and I pursued 

 exploration. 



April 10. From La Dormida towards Corredor MacUai. We 

 made a forward move, leaving Cevallos and his assistant at the 

 hut to tend the animals and keep up communications ; half of 

 the rest going in advance, while the others including myself 

 waited for some additional food from Cayambe village. This 

 arrived late, and delayed us so much that we could not reach 

 the next camping-place by nightfall, and had to stop in a swamp, 

 on a spot where, if you stood still, you sank up to the knees 

 in slime. This place was just on the divide, nearly 13,000 feet 

 above the sea, and during the greater part of the eleven hours 



2 I 



