“Wonder if there are any more treacherous places like that?” Bob scanned the chocolate water closely, as if by instinct to detect any dangerous spots.
“We’ll have to risk it,” Joe said. “It might be well to spread apart, so if anyone gets caught, the others can come to his rescue.”
“Good suggestion,” praised Bob. “I’ll get away over to this side.”
But if there were any more mud holes the explorers failed to come across them, and finally reached the other side safely, driving the mules before them.
On the bank Dr. Rander took off his mud-soaked clothes and replaced them with dry ones. Then, after a short rest, they resumed the journey.
“Who’s coming?” Joe strained his ears to make out the source of footsteps.
Then, rounding a growth of stunted trees, appeared a long caravan of small llamas, which were heavily loaded with what was probably firewood. Beside the curious animals walked two Indians, wearing the common “pancake” hats.
Luckily there was enough room for both cavalcades to pass freely, and they experienced no difficulty.
The natives stopped for a few minutes and conversed with Dr. Rander, who spoke Quichua freely. Then they started down the trail, driving the llamas at a rapid pace.