154 



CUESTA DE CONCUAL. 



was no possibility of standing ; many parts were 

 also hard and slippery^ and how to get down 

 this was now our task^ which I should never have 

 thought in the power of human beings to accom- 

 plish^ had I not witnessed it and done it myself : 

 so little are we aware what we are capable of 

 performing, till brought to the trial. 



I stood and gazed with wonder^ scarcely be- 

 lieving it possible they would attempt it. How- 

 ever^ the loads were cast off, and away they flew, 

 tumbling and sliding dow^n like lightning. Our 

 beds went into the river, and were soon swept 

 out of sight. Then the peons prepared, and 

 laying themselves flat on their backs, with their 

 arms and legs extended, to my utter amazement, 

 they flew down one after the other, with the 

 swiftness of an arrow, guiding themselves clear 

 of the river, although going down with such ve- 

 locity ; one turned, and rolled once or twice head 

 over heels, then round and round like a ball, till 

 he reached the bottom without the slightest in- 

 jury. Now, I thought this would never do for 



