human
Well, we've got over a good many streams in our morning's ride, but this one beats us. We can't set foot on the other side--not here, at all events.
gpt
Why?
human
Because, as you can see, _senorito_, that water's too deep for wading.
gpt
But what of that? We can swim it, can't we?
human
True, we could; all that and more, so far as the swimming goes. But once in there, how are we to get out again? Look at yonder bank. Straight up as a wall, and so smooth a cat couldn't climb it, much less our horses; and no more ourselves. If 'twere a matter of wading we might; but, as I can see, all along yonder edge it's just as deep as in mid-stream; and failing to get out, we'd have to keep on plunging about, possibly in the end to go under. _Carramba_! we mustn't attempt to make a crossing here.
gpt
Where then?
human
Well, rejoins the gaucho, reflectingly,
gpt
I think I know of a place where we may manage it. There's a ford which can't be very far from this; but whether it's above or below, for the life of me I can't tell, everything's so changed by that detestable _tormenta_, and the ugly coat of plaster it has laid over the plain! Let me see, he adds, alternately turning his eyes up stream and down,
human
I fancy it must be above; and now I recollect there was a tall tree, a _quebracha_, not far from the ford. Ha! he exclaims, suddenly catching sight of it,
gpt
Whether it be by wading or swimming, Gaspar remarks in continuance,