RELEASE FROM BAGGAGE. 167 



saddle ; but my companion, with his rugs, cir- 

 cingles, &c, finds it a tedious business. We 

 thought^ as we rode in advance of the baggage, 

 how much more agreeable it would be if nothing 

 could impede the rapidity of our movements ; 

 and as we approached a post about four in the 

 afternoon, having left our people several hours 

 behind us, we began seriously to talk over the 

 practicability of separating ourselves from the 

 greater part of our baggage, — which we felt 

 assured would be quite safe under the care of 

 our guide, who could follow us leisurely with the 

 servant to Mendoza. 



As soon as they appeared we communicated 

 to them our wishes, and finally determined to 

 adopt this plan. We first made the peon, who 

 knew the road, instruct us as to the posts we 

 were to halt at each night. Some places, he said, 



