colour of the upper part of the body was a reddish yellow, while the
under side was of a light ochre. A peculiar shrill cry reached our ears
as we approached, and the whole herd turned, advancing a few paces, and
then suddenly wheeling round, off they went at a rapid rate. Don Jose
told us that they are hunted with the bolas, as cattle are in the
plains. There is another animal, the huanacu, which is larger than the
llama, but resembles it greatly. It is considered by some naturalists
to be a wild species of the llama. Huanacus live in small troops.
Their disposition is very different from that of the llama. Though
easily tamed when caught young, they can seldom be trained to carry
burdens.

John reminded me of an account he had read of the llama, which is
likened to the dromedary of the desert, the services it is called upon
to perform being similar. Though it has not the ugly hump of the
dromedary, it possesses the same callosities on the breast and knees;
its hoof is divided in the same manner, and is of the same formation.
Its internal construction, which enables it to go for a long time
without drinking, is also similar. It will carry about one hundred
pounds, and proceed at the rate of twelve or fourteen miles a day. When
overloaded, however, it lies down, and nothing will induce it to rise
till it has been relieved of part of its cargo.

Llamas were the only beasts of burden employed by the ancient Peruvians.
Mules and horses were introduced by the Spaniards, and have now in many
places superseded the llamas, as mules will carry a much greater weight,
and are far more enduring and patient animals.

CHAPTER FOUR.

ADVENTURES AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

We had been travelling on for many days, yet had made but slow progress.
This was not surprising, considering that we had to climb up steep
mountains and to descend again into deep valleys, to cross rapid streams
and wade through morasses, again to mount upwards and wind round and
round numberless rugged heights, with perpendicular precipices, now on
one side, now on the other, and gulfs below so profound that often our
eyes, when we unwisely made the attempt, could scarcely fathom them.
Still almost interminable ranges of mountains appeared to the east. As
we looked back, we could see the lofty heights of Pichincha, Corazon,
Ruminagui, Cotopaxi, Antisana, and many others.

We had a mountain before us. Our patient mules slowly climbed up it.
The sum