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210 FROM THE ALPS TO THE ANDES 
could not be done, as, in spite of all pre- 
cautions, he likewise was attacked by 
mountain - sickness. So, seeing it was im- 
possible to carry our point for the present, 
we retreated in the direction of Puente del 
Inca to recruit. 
This return journey nearly ended disastrously 
as far as I was concerned. It had been 
decided to accomplish the distance in one day, 
and we had to cross the river which, after 
midday, had been much swollen, owing to the 
melting of the glaciers through the extreme 
heat. The current of the turbid stream was 
very strong, and we heard a rumbling noise, 
produced by the stones overturned in the bed 
of the river. I braved the piercing cold water, 
with the one thought of fording the stream, 
as there was nothing else to be done. 
The first to go over was the muleteer with 
his mule: Mr. FitzGerald followed him on 
horseback. I ought not to have been behind, 
but my mule was so small that, by the time 
it found itself in mid-stream, the water—-which 
came up to its head—was too much for it. 
Twice the poor little beast fell under me 
through the force of the current and the silt 
brought down with it, and each time I helped 
the animal up again, keeping a firm hold of 
  
  
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