nimals at the top of the hill,
as the descent was so steep and slippery that it would have been
impossible to ride down it. As it was, we could scarcely keep our legs,
and the dominie more than once nearly fell head over heels.

Uncle Richard, by-the-by, had not told our worthy friend the character
of the river-water. He had brought a cup, formed from a gourd, which
answered the purpose of a "quaich," as it is called in Scotland; and we
made our way down to the edge of the stream, where he could dip out a
cupful. The water appeared bright and sparkling, and the dominie, who
was thirsty after his walk, put it to his lips and took a huge gulp.
Directly afterwards he spat it out, with a ridiculous grimace,
exclaiming--

"Rotten lemons, iron filings, and saltpetre, by all that is abominable!
Ah, faith! there must have been poison in the cup."

"Wash it out and try again," said Uncle Richard; "although, I tell you,
I believe the cup is perfectly clean."

The dominie made a second attempt, with the same result.

"You find it taste somewhat like vinegar?" asked Uncle Richard.

"Indeed I do," answered Mr Laffan. "Is it always like this?"

"Yes," said Uncle Richard; "it comes in its present state out of the
mountain, and you were not far from the truth in your description, as
when analysed it is found to be acidulated, nitrous, and ferruginous.
So completely does it retain these qualities, that in the Cauca, several
leagues below where it falls into that river, not a fish is to be found,
as the finny tribe appear to have as great a dislike to it as yourself."

The dominie, to satisfy himself, carried away half a bottle, for the
purpose of analysing it on his return home.

Proceeding up the valley, we visited, in succession, three waterfalls,
one of which came down over a perpendicular cliff, with a descent of a
couple of hundred feet. We then bent our steps homewards, stopping by
the way to dine and rest our animals at a farm belonging to Uncle
Richard, and which it was one of the objects of our excursion to visit.
The building was entirely of wood, with wide projecting eaves, supported
by posts united by a railing, which gave it a very picturesque
appearance. Around the house was an enclosure for the poultry, of which
there was a great profusion. Indeed, it would have been difficult for a
hen-wife to know her hens. Outside this was another enclosure for
cattle and horses. In a smaller paddock were several llam