midday
I have not space to recount all our adventures , and must for the future describe only those which were the most interesting . We climbed mountains , and traversed glens , and crossed torrents by the bridges I have often mentioned ; and yet , day after day , not a human being did we meet . Of course we kept as much as possible at a distance from their habitations ; but the few farms we passed were deserted , and we had no doubt that the women and children had been removed to more secluded spots , while the men had gone to join the army of Tupac Amaru . A week had passed , and we were resting to take our midday meal , in a sheltered glen , under the shade of some lofty trees . Pedro , notwithstanding the exertions he had undergone , had almost recovered from his hurts ; and I never felt myself in better health and strength , while Ned scarcely knew what fatigue or illness meant . Our provisions had again run short , though we had collected a little Indian corn at some of the deserted farms we had passed . `` Well , '' said Ned , who had lighted his pipe and stretched himself out on his back , `` I sha n't be sorry when we get to the big river you speak of .