The catapaz did not understand, for he shrugged his shoulders and returned to the head of the troop.
At five o'clock in the afternoon they stopped in a shallow gorge, a few miles above the little town of Loja; and that night the travelers encamped at the foot of the first slopes of the Andes.
[CHAPTER XII.]
ELEVEN THOUSAND FEET ALOFT.
The route through Chili had as yet presented no serious obstacles; but now the dangers that attend a journey across the mountains suddenly increased, the struggle with the natural difficulties was about to begin in earnest.
An important question had to be decided before starting. By what pass could they cross the Andes with the least departure from the prescribed course? The catapaz was questioned on this subject.
"I know," he replied, "of but two passes that are practicable in this part of the Andes."