298 A DANGEROUS ROUTE.

in their route, by a stupendous barrier of precipi-
tous rock, as if a mountain, impending over the
river on the right, had shot forth one of its mighty
arms, for the purpose of arresting the waters in
their progress. On drawing nearer, however, a
fissure, extending from the summit to the base,
through the very heart of the rock, was perceptible,
through which the river rushed in a more confined
channel. It was evident that, unless they could
pass onwards through this fissure, there was no
alternative but to return. As they approached,
the guides evinced considerable anxiety, casting
anxious looks at certain blocks of stone embedded
in small pools detached from the main current of
the stream.

“The waters are higher than they were yester-
day,” said one.

‘And are rising at this moment,” replied his
comrade, who was carefully watching the smooth
side of one of the detached blocks, half-filling the
calm and unruffled surface of one these diminutive
lakes. And again, with scrutinising eyes, they
looked towards the fissure.

“Shall we be able to stem the torrent in yonder
spot ?” asked the traveller,

“ We hope so,” they hastily answered ; “but not
a moment must be lost.” And suiting the action
to the word, their horses were spurred on at full