32 



THE ANDES. 



SO we chose a spot of ground near the river^ 

 among some rocks^ and made the usual arrange- 

 ments for the night, alfresco. 



Though lower here than at our last night^s 

 lodging, we still found the air very keen ; and 

 were glad to discover abundance of roots with 

 which to make a blazing fire. The wind^however, 

 continued most annoying to us. It appeared 

 to come from every quarter in succession, and 

 the smoke of the fire almost put out our eyes 

 as we sat near it. 



By the twilight I observed an old condor 

 perched on a rock near us, watching our party 

 with apparent earnestness ; no doubt imagining 

 the agreeable possibilty that death might make 

 some provision for him before the morning. 

 The soothsayers of old would have predicted 

 some misfortune from the presence of so ill- 

 omened a bird; and considering the perils 



