EXPEDITION TO THE ANDES 205 
lovely view: it was very evident that this 
was the only possible route up the peak 
we so much yearned to scale. Looking at 
my aneroid, I found it registered an elevation 
of 19,000 feet, and it was 4,005 more to 
the summit. At that height, I felt perfectly | 
  
  
well and was certain of being able to climb | 
E higher. 
However, as it was now five o'clock, 14 
seemed well to think about descending. There 
was likewise the horse to be considered; the 
poor beast had now been without forage for 
about seventeen hours, but I found him again 
by seven o’clock. Having provided for the 
horse’s wants and my own—for we were both ‘ 
in sad need of food—I rode in the direction 
of my tent, but could not make much pro- 
gress, as it was very dark and impossible to 
sins nn ee 
  
  
make use of the lantern. 
Coming at last to a place where a great 
\ avalanche had fallen, the horse—which was Wi 
| not too well shod—suddenly stumbled in the | 
snow half-way down: I held him up by the 
bridle to prevent him falling, but to no pur- 
pose, and he slipped, drawing me after him 
for about a hundred yards. Finally, horse and 
rider came to a standstill at a place where 
it was not so steep, and I gradually succeeded