CHAP. XVII. A TENDER CONSCIENCE. 311 



the Quito road to get ' a scale ' for Chimborazo ; next to ascend 

 Carihuairazo, to test the snow-going abilities of the aspirants ; 

 then to cross between the two mountains and to ascend Chim- 

 borazo by the long snow-slope which had been remarked from 

 Guaranda (see p. 25) ; and lastly to complete the circuit of the 

 mountain. Though little margin of time was left for the unfore- 

 seen, if everything went happily, it was possible to do this by the 

 8th of July, the date on which it would be necessary to leave, to 

 catch the steamer going north from Guayaquil. 



Before starting from the town, we took advantage of market- 

 day to lay in additional stores ; and as my people fancied the bread 

 of the country, which was brought in for sale by Indian women, 

 Jean-Antoine and I went to the Plaza, and bought a sackful. We 

 then moved off to continue purchasing in another part, and pre- 

 sently found ourselves followed by one of the women, who talked 

 glibly in some incomprehensible aboriginal dialect, proffering an 

 armful of bread, which apparently she wanted to sell. We shook 

 our heads and tried to get rid of her, but she would not be rebuffed, 

 and became an annoyance by creating ^a scene.'' It was at last 

 explained by one of the bystanders that she wished us to take the 

 bread gratis, that it was our due, she had not given enough for the 

 money that had been paid ; and nothing would induce that woman 

 to go away until it was accepted, and her conscience was satisfied. 



Jtine 25.^ From Riohamha to Camp on lower slopes of Cliim- 

 horazo. Despatched the Carrels, David, Campana, Cevallos, and 

 Domingo at 9.15 a.m., with eleven beasts, and followed at 11.15. 

 Made for the depression between Chimborazo and Carihuairazo, 

 and camped about two and a half miles to the north-east of 

 Chuquipoquio.^ Rainy day. Min. temp, at night 30° '5 Faht. 



June 26. Measurement on road, (&c. Sent out Domingo to cut 



1 At the place marked Camp 7 on Map of Chimborazo. 



2 On the 24:th, I received a letter from Mr. Chambers (Guayaquil), which had 

 been written, and despatched by the ordinary post, on April 3. All letters in this 

 country are liable to be opened and delayed. In 1880, it was said that the British 

 Minister's letters were the only ones which were exempt from this treatment. 



