THE GREAT CORDILLERA. 



159 



little cut, and the bulletin of his health was alto- 

 gether incredible. 



With that surprising anxiety which the mules ali 

 have to join the troop, or rather the leading mule 

 which carries the bell, he continued his course, and 

 actually walked over the pass without compulsion, 

 although certainly with great caution. 



We then continued our course for two hours, un- 

 til we came to the Rio de las Vaccas," which is 

 the most dangerous torrent of any of those which 

 are to be crossed. We got through it with safety, 

 but it was very deep, and so excessively rapid, that 

 large stones were rolled down it with the force 

 of the water. The mules are accustomed to these 

 torrents, but they are, notwithstanding, much 

 frightened at them, and it is only long spurs that 

 can force them into them . 



While we were crossing, the peons stood down 

 the stream, with their lassos hurling round their 

 heads, in order to catch anything which might have 

 been carried away ; but as the boxes which I had 

 seen washed from the mules were dashed to pieces 

 before they had got twenty yards, the peon'^s lassa 

 came a little too late; and besides this, as the 



