306 JOURNEY. 



third of the lower class are prematureiy 

 lost for actual want of naedical aid, and 

 medicines. 



I bathed, which much refreshed me ; and 

 at four o'clock followed the baggage, which 

 had passed, and at half-past five overtook 

 them, when we again crossed the river Bo- 

 gota, the mules swimming, whilst we and 

 the baggage passed over in a canoe. 



The method of driving the mules over the 

 river is very peculiar. On arriving at the 

 ford there were nearly a hundred assembled; 

 these are placed as close together as pos- 

 sible, and driven into the water by the 

 blows, gestures, and shouts of the peons^ se- 

 veral of whom swim over by their sides, 

 dashing the water about with great vehe- 

 mence, and vociferating loudly, to urge the 

 mules to swim as fast as possible, that they 

 may not be carried too far down the river. 



