“I have been there before,” said Samaro, “with—”
“With whom?”
“A mad Englishman.”
“O! and now you will have to pilot a fool?”
“Si, señor.”
“Well, are you nearly ready, Mr. Guide?”
“I am ready,” replied Samaro; “and,” he added, pointing upward at the mighty Tinguragua, “the mountain is ready and waiting also.”
The journey and ascent, for it was both combined, were now commenced.
“There is no occasion to hurry,” said Tom; “we will take it easy.”
Well, mountain climbing does always seem easy at first; but, anyhow, Tom was now in grand form: his limbs were as hard and tough as hawsers, and it would have taken a good deal to make his heart palpitate. On they went, and soon leaving the river’s bank they penetrated into the depths of the primeval forest, and following a little track made by some wild animals in their nightly visits to the river, began to ascend.