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Updated: May 5, 2025
When we get below, we shall find BAQUEANOS, Argentine shepherds, who will guide us through the Pampas, and swift horses accustomed to gallop over the plains. Let's go forward then, I say, and without a moment's hesitation." "Forward!" they all exclaimed. "You will not go with us, then?" said Glenarvan to the CATAPEZ. "I am the muleteer," was the reply. "As you please," said Glenarvan.
At last he was obliged to stop short. They were in a narrow valley, one of those gorges called by the Indians "quebrads," and on reaching the end, a wall of porphyry rose perpendicularly before them, and barred further passage. The CATAPEZ, after vain attempts at finding an opening, dismounted, crossed his arms, and waited. Glenarvan went up to him and asked if he had lost his way.
The CATAPEZ, moreover, was a taciturn man naturally, and had not been rendered loquacious by his calling. He hardly spoke to his PEONS. They understood their duties perfectly. If one of the mules stopped, they urged it on with a guttural cry, and if that proved unavailing, a good-sized pebble, thrown with unerring aim, soon cured the animal's obstinacy.
The CATAPEZ, as he was called in Chilian, had two natives called PEONS, and a boy about twelve years of age under him. The PEONS took care of the baggage mules, and the boy led the MADRINA, a young mare adorned with rattle and bells, which walked in front, followed by ten mules. The travelers rode seven of these, and the CATAPEZ another.
"That would do, but are you acquainted with this pass of Antuco, CATAPEZ?" said Glenarvan. "Yes, your Lordship, I have been through it, but I did not mention it, as no one goes that way but the Indian shepherds with the herds of cattle." "Oh, very well; if mares and sheep and oxen can go that way, we can, so let's start at once."
One important question had first to be settled. Which pass would take them over the Andes, and yet not be out of their fixed route? On questioning the CATAPEZ on the subject, he replied: "There are only two practicable passes that I know of in this part of the Cordilleras." "The pass of Arica is one undoubtedly discovered by Valdivia Mendoze," said Paganel. "Just so."
"To mules," said the Major, "but not to men." "Ah, that's your concern; I have done all I could. My mules and myself are at your service to try the other passes of the Cordilleras." "And that would delay us?" "Three days at least." Glenarvan listened silently. He saw the CATAPEZ was right. His mules could not go farther.
Glenarvan looked at the CATAPEZ, who replied: "Quite right." And then, turning toward the geographer, he added: "You have traveled in these parts before, sir?" "Oh, yes," said Paganel, quite gravely. "On a mule?" "No, in an easy chair." The CATAPEZ could not make him out, but shrugged his shoulders and resumed his post at the head of the party.
He saw that his perplexity was increasing as the way became more difficult, but did not dare to interrogate him, rightly enough, perhaps, thinking that both mules and muleteers were very much governed by instinct, and it was best to trust to them. For about an hour longer the CATAPEZ kept wandering about almost at haphazard, though always getting higher up the mountains.
"We can do without him," said Paganel. "On the other side we shall get back into the road to Antuco, and I'm quite sure I'll lead you to the foot of the mountain as straight as the best guide in the Cordilleras." Accordingly, Glenarvan settled accounts with the CATAPEZ, and bade farewell to him and his PEONS and mules.
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