2IO THROUGH THE HEART OF PATAGONIA 



zipp of the wind as it swept past our ears mingled with the cry of 

 the astonished waterfowl. Nearer and nearer, clear water showed 

 under the left bank, and in a moment more we had swept round 

 the corner of rock and out into the main channel of the river once 

 more. We flew along in the strong rip, the launch shook and 

 quivered, and we discovered with joy that we had gained the 

 wide lower reaches. 



Our troubles were at an end for the day. A dozen miles 

 still lay before us, but in fair and open water. In due time we 

 recognised a big stone which marked the site of our old camp 

 vi^here we had rested on the way up. We secured the launch 

 a little way below it, where the Leona enters Lake Argentine. 



After landing we pitched the tent and sat down to talk it all 

 over. In the meantime we cooked and ate an armadillo, which 

 Burbury had caught on the previous day. It tasted very like 

 sucking-pig. 



Then a curious thing happened. The launch, which was 

 bumping slightly at her anchorage, had to be moved, and going 

 on board we found that the pump had again struck work, as it did 

 on many subsequent occasions. One could not help thinking what 

 the result might have been if it had broken down a little earlier in 

 the day. What a wonderful word that little "if" is ! Two letters 

 long, but it may mark the distance from pole to pole, the difference 

 between life and death. 



That night a series of heavy squalls blew out of the west. Wc 

 lay in the tent and listened to the wind with the luxurious feeling 

 that comes of good shelter. 



