CHAP. XIII. 



WE ARE TICKLED. 



243 



was almost the only spot where it was possible to camp, and it 

 afforded good protection on one side, of which we were glad, as 

 there were nnmerons tracks of bears, pumas and 

 other wild-beasts about. The lurch forward of the 

 cliff prevented rain falling directly upon us, unless 

 it blew from the north-east ; but everything burn- 

 able was dripping with moisture,^ and the sur- 

 rounding land was so wet that water oozed or even 

 squirted out in jets when it was trodden upon. 

 Corredor Machai was placed on the southern side of 

 a small valley, descending north-west, with several 

 depressions (passes ?) at its head. 



At mid - day despatched two men acfross the 

 valley to advance provisions in the direction in 

 which we supposed Sara-urcu was situated. It had 

 not yet been seen, and our view was limited by 

 the mists to the immediate surroundings. They 

 returned with a human skull which they had picked 

 up not far away. '' I know that skull, '^ said the 

 Spy ; "it belonged to a man who went out search- 

 ing for quinine bark. There were twenty of them 

 altogether, and four came back. This one laid down 

 to sleep, a snow-storm came on, and he did not 

 wake again. ^^'^ Sent some of the people to bring 

 up more food from La Dormida, and made the rest 

 hew down reeds to construct ' one man bed-rooms.' 

 Laid the reeds sloping against the foot of the cliff, 

 leaving room enough behind to creep into. Many 

 spiders about ; some very ticklish. Examined one 

 with a lens, and found out why. 



1 We found paraffin oil of great use in starting fires when fuel was damp. It 

 was employed here, and at all our high camps. A few pints of it were always 

 carried. 



2 Searching for Chinchona trees, to strip them of their bark, is a favourite 

 occupation in this country. 



A HIND-LEG OF A 



SPIDER FROM 



CORREDOR MACHAI. 



