248 



TRAVELS A3I0NGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xiii. 



of the ridge bounding the southern side of the large glacier pro- 

 ceeding from our mountain ; passed the base of a small lateral 

 glacier and took to the ice at 10.50 a.m. Put on the rope. 

 Could not see a hundred yards in any direction. Steered east- 

 south-east. 



The summit of Sara-urcu bore almost exactly due east from 

 Corredor Machai, and an east-south-east course was calculated 

 to bring us right upon it. To return steering by compass was 

 more dubious. We did not apprehend losing ourselves on land ; 

 nor upon snow and glacier, even in a fog, if our track was not 

 obliterated. There was every probability that it would be 

 quickly effaced ; while it would be necessary, to escape from the 

 glacier, to hit off the exact 23lace where we took to it. It was 

 by no means certain that we could do this, trusting to the com- 

 pass alone ; for it is very difficult to hold to one general course 

 in a fog, when courses have to be changed every other minute, 

 as they must necessarily be upon crevassed glacier. 



To ensure our return, Louis 

 therefore carried a quantity of 

 four-foot lengths of the reed 

 tops, to place as guide-marks 

 on the glacier ; and planted 



TURNING AN ENEMY TO ACCOUNT. 



