244 TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xiii. 



April 12. Corredor Machai to Cmnp on Sara-urcu. Advanced 

 with the Carrels to the place where food was deposited yesterday, 

 and left the others at Corredor Machai to keep up communica- 

 tions. Whilst descending to the bottom of our valley, saw a 

 large bear walking along the other side, going straight ahead 

 through the reeds as if they interposed no obstacle. Shouted 

 to it, but it scarcely deigned to notice us, and only just turned 

 its head aside for a moment, and went on into a thicket of 

 scrub. Tracks of wild animals aiforded assistance, as the reeds 

 had often been trodden down. Passed several cattle lairs. The 

 slopes here were as swampy as upon the other side. 



Seldom saw two hundred yards in any direction on this day. 

 Eain fell incessantly in a steady mizzle. Encamped in the 

 afternoon against a bit of cliff with very slightly overhanging 

 rock, at the height of 13,754 feet,^ not knowing where we were, 

 though believing we were close upon Sara-urcu. No fire possible. 

 Minimum in night 35° ; and, at 6 a.m. on the 13th, 36° '5 Faht. 



April 13. In Camp on Sara-urcu. Made small excursions, 

 to find out where we were. Discovered nothing, beyond a large 

 glacier on the north, which we conjectured proceeded from our 

 mountain. Sent the Carrels out in different directions exploring, 

 and endeavoured to improve shelter. Built a low wall of clods 

 and stones round the open side, — an addition which made the 

 place as comfortable as an ordinary ditch on a winter^s night. 



Jean-Antoine came back hurriedly in the afternoon, looking 

 behind him nervously. ^^ Why, Carrel, man, what is the matter V 

 '^ Monsieur," said he, '^ just now I was over there, looking at 

 the glacier to find a way down, when I heard a noise behind, 

 and turning round saw two big bulls a few yards off, with 

 their heads down, ready to pitch me over the precipice. I ran 

 away up a rock, and they came after me ; and one stood on one 



* The Mercurial Barometer at 6 p.m. on April 12 (reduced to 32° Faht.) read 

 18"278 inches, air temperature 40° Faht. The simultaneous reading at Guayaquil 

 (red. to 32°) was 29'917 inches, air temperature 78° Faht. 



