"Is there no other way of crossing the mountains than by this pass?"
"There is a pass, señor, between Ayapata and Crucero, but it is a very bad one."
"And where should we be then, Dias?"
"Well, señor, it would take us along the other side of the mountains to Macari. From that place there is an easy path to La Raya; there we are on the plateau again, and have only to travel by the road through Sicuani to Cuzco."
"In fact, it would double the length of our journey to Cuzco?"
"Yes, señor; but if you liked, from Crucero you might go down to Lake Titicaca. There are certainly good mines in the mountains there."
"Yes, but is there any chance of our finding them?"
"I can't say that, señor, but I fear that the chance would be very small."
"Then it is of no use trying, Dias. We saw at the last place what pains the old people took to hide places where gold could be found, and if there had been rich mines among these mountains you speak of, no doubt they would have hidden them just as carefully. The question is, shall we go up this pass as we intended, and take our chance, or shall we go by this roundabout way?"
By this time José had lit a fire, and they had seated themselves by it.