THE ANDES, 



25 



CHAPTER 11. 



Descent of the mountain — Sagacity of the mules and 

 horses — Ascent of a second mountain — Halt for the 

 - night — A condor anticipating his breakfast — Portable 

 soup — Its ill effects — A bad night's rest — Awkward 

 dream — Descent on the Chilean side of the mountains 

 — Improved appearance of the people — Chilean Shep- 

 herd — A mountain torrent — A horse swept away by it 

 — Further descent — First human habitation for several 

 days — Halt for the night. 



As the path we were now descending was 

 steeper, if possible, than the other, and full of 

 loose stones, I dismounted, and led my horse, 

 until, on arriving at another field of snow, I was 



VOL. II. c 



