but we must not
allow it to depress our spirits."

In spite, however, of the severe exertions we were making, we felt the
cold every instant becoming greater. Antonio, though apparently as
strong as any of us, became so benumbed that he could scarcely walk. He
had brought a small flask of aguardiente, which he confessed he had
drained to the bottom, but it had apparently had a bad effect on him.
At length his sufferings became so great that we began to fear we must
leave him behind, as to carry him on to the tambo would be impossible;
though, if left behind, he would certainly die in a few minutes. While
he was in this state, Padillo volunteered to go forward, recollecting
that there was a spring in the neighbourhood, and urging us to try and
reach it. In a short time Padillo returned with the information that
the spring was only a little way on; so, while Uncle Richard took one of
Antonio's arms, I took the other, and Padillo, with a stick, kept
beating him severely about the body. Whenever Antonio cried out,
Padillo answered, "Never mind, friend, never mind; it's all for your
good." At length, what with pinching his arms, and Padillo's
flagellation, he was kept alive until we reached the spring. Here we
compelled him to drink a draught of water, though at first he showed a
great unwillingness to swallow it, like a person afflicted with
hydrophobia. In a wonderfully short time, however, he perfectly
recovered, and declared that he felt warm and comfortable.

Uncle Richard and I then tried the experiment, as we were beginning to
feel the sensations Antonio had at first complained of. The attempt,
however, was extremely painful; indeed, I felt as if I had swallowed a
handful of needles, the which were pricking and tearing the whole
interior of my throat in their passage downwards. Directly I had
swallowed the water, however, I began to feel a comfortable glow, which
in a short time spread equally over me.

The delay, however, might have been fatal to all of us, as darkness had
already begun to spread over the deep valley, and we could see no tambo
ahead. From the experience we had had, we were sure we could not rest
anywhere for an instant, while the danger was great in proceeding in the
dark. Still Padillo said he could find the way, and led us on at a
swinging trot, we doing our utmost to keep up with him; often, however,
I felt a strong inclination to sink down and enjoy a short sleep, if
only for a min