154 



PASSAGE ACROSS 



spot. It is the worst pass in the Cordillera. The 

 mountain above appears almost perpendicular, and 

 in one continued slope down to the rapid torrent 

 which is raging underneath. The surface is covered 

 with loose earth and stones which have been brought 

 down by the water. The path goes across this 

 slope, and is very bad for about seventy yards, 

 being only a few inches broad ; but the point of 

 danger is a spot where the water which comes down 

 from the top of the mountain either washes the path 

 away, or covers it over with loose stones. We rode 

 over it, and it certainly was very narrow and bad. 

 In some places the rock almost touches one's shoul- 

 der, while the precipice is immediately under the op- 

 posite foot, and high above the head are a number 

 of large loose stones, which appear as if the slightest 

 touch would send them rolling into the torrent 

 beneath, which is foaming and rushing with great 

 violence. However, the danger to the rider is only 

 imaginary, for the mules are so careful, and seem 

 so v/ell aware of their situation, that there is no 

 chance of their making a false step. As soon as 

 we had crossed the pass, which is only seventy yards 

 long, the capataz told me that it was a very bad 



