The forward animal was loosened and quickly quieted; but the other one kicked and struggled, with our load of plates and developing trays under him.
Quickly cutting the ropes that held the burden, we tried to release the animal, but it lay exhausted, and, for a moment, we thought it dead.
Really, however, it was not hurt at all, and the loads themselves appeared undamaged.

The burdens having been repacked, we again started on the journey.

At several places on this road, we had noticed cairns, or heaps of pebbles.

On inquiring from Don Manuel--the funny little man, who had the animals in charge--we learned that every Chocho indian passing the place adds a pebble to the heap, to secure good luck and insure his safe return home.

At the summit, we found one of these piles of stone surmounted by a cross, and learned that when the Chochos reach this spot, they always stop, repeat a prayer, and dance for good health and fortune before the cross.