DESCENT OF THE CUMBRE. 



151 



nished to see the peons unload^ and quietly put 

 their luggage before them^ then sitting down, 

 away they went sliding the whole way to the 

 bottom, laughing and enjoying it very much. 

 I cannot say that I liked it quite so well ; but it 

 was too steep to walk down without running the 

 chance of tumbling head over heels, so I even 

 sat down to try what I could do. At first it 

 was all very pleasant ; but when my velocity in- 

 creased, so as to lose all command over myself, 

 I began to regret undertaking what I knew no- 

 thing at all about, for the peons can guide them- 

 selves with their hands any way they please. 

 This was beyond my ability to comprehend, 

 although I know very well how to steer a ship, 

 it puzzled me much how to apply that know- 

 ledge to myself. However, I arrived safe at the 

 bottom, when on looking up, and seeing others 

 follow me with the greatest velocity, was cer- 

 tainly astonished at the feat I had performed. 

 We were now in a valley walking over a river 

 that was covered with snow. Immense mountains 



