In that case our supernatural power will be at an end, and our color will be against us, as they will regard us as Spaniards, and so as enemies.

At any rate, we must push on and take our chance." From the Indian they learned that the track lay up a valley before them, that after a day's walking they would have to begin the ascent.

Another day's journey would take them to a neck between two peaks, and the passage of this would occupy at least a day.

The native described the cold as great here, even in summer, and that in winter it was terrible.

Once across the neck, the descent on the other side began.
"There can be no snow in the pass now, Tom; it is late in December, and the hottest time of the year; and although we must be a very great height above the sea, for we have been rising ever since we left the coast, we are not so very far south, and I cannot believe the snow can now lie in the pass.