It should be as easy travelling as along this bank, and will bring us out above the Spanish lines of guard." I know not how long I sat there gazing silently into his impassive leathern face, turning over within my own mind the argument of his words.

He was neither woodsman nor mountaineer, yet possessed some judgment.

Thus considering, I saw but one possible objection to his plan--lack of water or of game along the unknown route to be traversed.
But serious scarcity of either was hardly to be expected at this season among the mountains, while the weary leagues of southing thus saved would make no small difference in the length and time of our journey.
"It appears to me our best hope," I admitted candidly.

"It will involve clambering over rocks, yet yonder range does not appear high, nor of a width to keep us long in its shadow; besides, the lower reaches of this river are marshy leagues upon leagues, and to my mind walking will be easier if we take higher ground.

It is all guesswork at the best.