ARRIVE AT USPALLATA. 



253 



ly enquired what state the rivers were in. The 

 courier informed them^ that if the machine was 

 not at the Rio de las Vacas, they might have to 

 wait on its banks three or four days^ for it would 

 be impossible to pass with their cargoes : about 

 6. 30. A. M. cleared the pass of the Cordillera^ 

 and entered the plain of Uspallata. Having here 

 to cross the river, we found it much swollen and 

 very broad and deep, but not running with any 

 velocity, therefore passed it very easily, and ar- 

 rived at the Guardia, from whence there is 

 beautiful full view of the mighty Cordillera, which 

 I have given a description of in my winter^s jour- 

 ney ; but at this time there was a vast difference 

 in its appearance, the tops of the mountains only 

 being covered with snow, whereas before, it all 

 appeared one impenetrable mass. Here we rest- 

 ed and turned the poor mules out to graze : they 

 had been nearly three days without any thing to 

 eat, and showed themselves not a little delighted 

 at their liberty and some good grass that grew 

 about the place. 



