LADERA DE LA PULVIDERA. 



251 



without signs of life in him^ it appeared to be 

 only a source of amusement to the peons. 



We were detained at this river five hours, 

 when we proceeded on, following by the side of 

 it, till it empties itself into the Mendoza. The 

 difference to me now was, that I was travelling 

 above, whereas, before, I passed in the bed of 

 the river. 



At five leagues distance from Las Vacas, came 

 to the Ladera de la Pulvidera ; for an account of 

 which, in the winter, see my journal. The differ- 

 ence now was very great having a good path to pass. 

 The height to look up was certainly awful. Imme- 

 diately on descending this Ladera, we struck into a 

 branch of the Mendoza, which ran deep and close 

 up to the side of the mountain itself, so that we 

 were obliged to pass in the river with some diffi- 

 culty, and presently arrived at the Ladera de la 

 Cortidera which was very good, having been well 

 repaired and all the broken places filled up with 

 stones, in fact two mules could pass abreast with 

 ease. The next river was the Pichauca, so 



