XVIII 
CANELOS TO BANGS 
145 
Pastasa, which is at no great distance. We were 
gradually approaching the Pastasa, and we slept at 
night on a plain where the rushing of its waters 
was distinctly audible. 
Jtme 23. — About 10 a.m. we reached Allpa-yacu, 
a stream of clear cool water about the size of the 
Pindo. This also was low and we got across it 
without accident. There were steep cliffs of gravel 
on the east bank just above the ford. Our way to-day 
was almost entirely across a plain, bounded on the 
left by a very steep alluvial cliff (which gives the 
name of Barrancas to the site), at whose foot ran 
the Pastasa. There is a great contrast between 
the aspect of this river here — leaping and foaming 
over rocks with a din which throughout the rest 
of our journey we heard more or less distinctly — 
and in the lower part of its course, where it spreads 
out into a broad placid river. The track in places 
ran along the very edge of the cliff, and the pro- 
jecting bushes menaced thrusting us over. At 
about 2 P.M., on the top of a low hill, we came to a 
rancho, but as our Indians w^ere still disposed to 
proceed we determined to sleep at a more advanced 
post. From this place we descended into a deep 
ravine, and crossed a narrow clear stream with 
some peril, as the ford was over slippery stones on 
a steep declivity. To our right the water came 
down from a lofty hill in a cascade. To climb out 
of the ravine we had to use hands as well as feet, 
but a winding path might be easily made, for the 
soft sandstone admits of being cut by a spade. 
We slept about half-way down the descent of the 
other side of the mountain, but were wetted by a 
shower ere we could get our ranchos put up. 
VOL. II L 
