[Frontispiece: "In a short time they had bound our arms tightly withstrips of hide. "]

[Transcriber's note: frontispiece missing from book. ]

At the Point of the Sword

A Story for Boys

By

HERBERT HAYENS

 Author of "Ye Mariners of England, " "Under the Lone Star, " "For the Colours, " "A Captain of Irregulars, " "In the Grip of the Spaniard, " &c. , &c. 

THOMAS NELSON & SONS, LTD. 

LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK

1903

CONTENTS. 

 I. A BIRTHDAY EVE II. AN EXCITING VOYAGE III. THE END OF THE "AGUILA" IV. THE SILVER KEY V. IN THE HIDDEN VALLEY VI. WE LEAVE THE HIDDEN VALLEY VII. WHOM THE GODS LOVE DIE YOUNG VIII. A FRIENDLY OPPONENT IX. A GLEAM OF HOPE X. A STORMY INTERVIEW XI. A NARROW ESCAPE XII. A STERN PURSUIT XIII. HOME AGAIN XIV. FRIEND OR FOE? XV. WE CATCH A TARTAR XVI. GLORIOUS NEWS XVII. DUTY FIRST XVIII. DARK DAYS XIX. FALSE PLAY, OR NOT? XX. "SAVE HIM, JUAN, SAVE HIM!" XXI. ROUGH JUSTICE XXII. THE "SILVER KEY" AGAIN XXIII. AN OPEN-AIR PRISON XXIV. A DANGEROUS JOURNEY XXV. BACK TO DUTY XXVI. THE HUSSARS OF JUNIN XXVII. A DISASTROUS RETREAT XXVIII. THE BATTLE OF THE GENERALS XXIX. HOME AGAIN

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

"IN A SHORT TIME THEY HAD BOUND OUR ARMS TIGHTLY WITH STRIPS OF HIDE" . . . . . . _Frontispiece_

"'HELP, HELP!' I EXCLAIMED FAINTLY; BUT HE HEARD ME, AND I KNEW I WAS SAVED. "

"PUSHING OFF HIS SANDY BED-CLOTHES AT OUR APPROACH, HE STRUGGLED TO HIS FEET. "

"'SAVE HIM, JUAN, SAVE HIM!'"

"HE GLANCED CONTEMPTUOUSLY AT THE GIGANTIC SORILLO. "

"'A SOLDIER FROM AYACUCHO! HERE IS ONE OF OUR BRAVE DELIVERERS!'"

AT THE POINT OF THE SWORD. 

CHAPTER I. 

A BIRTHDAY EVE. 

In spite of my English name--Jack Crawford--and my English blood, Ihave never set foot on that famous little island in the North Sea, andnow it is quite unlikely that I ever shall do so. 

I was born in Peru, on the outskirts of beautiful Lima, where, untilthe year 1819, on the very eve of my fourteenth birthday, the days ofmy childhood were passed. 

I expect you know that in ancient days Peru was called the "Land of theSun, " because the sun was worshipped by the natives. Their great citywas Cuzco, built, it is said, in 1043 A. D. , by Manco Capac, the firstof the Incas, or Emperors of Peru. 

The natives believed Manco to be a child of the sun; but I have heardan old story that his father was a shipwrecked Englishman, who marriedthe daughter of a Peruvian chief. I do not think this tale correct, but it is full of interest. 

Most of the Incas ruled very wisely, and the remains of palaces, temples, and aqueducts show that the people were highly civilized; butin 1534 the Spaniards, under Pizarro, invaded the country, and sweptaway the glorious empire of the Incas. 

After that Peru became a part of Spanish America, and Pizarro foundedthe city of Lima, which he made the capital. 

My father, who settled in the country when quite a young man, married aPeruvian lady of wealthy and influential family. The estate near Limaformed part of her marriage portion, and a beautiful place it was, witha fine park, and a lake which served me both for boating and bathing. I had several friends, chiefly Spaniards, but two English boys, whosefathers were merchants in Callao, often visited me, and many a pleasantgame we had together. 

At this time Peru was a Spanish colony, but some people, among whom wasmy father, wanted to make it an independent country, having its ownruler. Being still a boy, I did not hear much of these things, though, from certain talk, I understood that the country was in a mostunsettled state, and that the Spanish governor had thrown many good meninto prison for urging the people to free themselves. 

One evening, in March 1819, I was busy in my workshop painting a smallboat. My father had been absent for nearly a week, but he had promisedto return for my birthday, and every moment I expected to see himcrossing the courtyard. 

Presently, hearing old Antonio unfasten the wicket-gate, I put down mybrush, wiped my hands, and ran out joyously. 

The happy welcome died on my lips. It was not my father who hadentered, but Rosa Montilla, the young daughter of a famous Spanishofficer. She was nearly a year younger than myself, and a frequentvisitor at our house. Often we had gone together for a row on thelake, or for a gallop on our ponies round the park. 

She was very pretty, with deep blue eyes and fair hair, quite unlikemost Spanish girls, and generally full of fun and good spirits. Now, however, she was very pale and looked frightened. I noticed, too, thatshe had no covering on her head or shoulders, and that she had notchanged the thin slippers worn in the house. 

These things made me curious and uneasy. I feared some evil hadbefallen her father, and knew not how to act. On seeing me she made alittle run forward, and, bursting into tears, cried, "O Juan, Juan!"using, as also did my mother, the Spanish form of my name. 

Now, being only a boy, and being brought up for the most part amongboys, I was but a clumsy comforter, though I would have done anythingto lessen her grief. 

"What is it, Rosa?" I asked; "what has happened?" But for answer shecould only wring her hands and cry, "O Juan, Juan!"

"Do not cry, Rosa!" I said, and then doing what I should have done inthe first place, led her toward the drawing-room, where my mother was. "Mother will comfort you. Tell her all about it, " I said confidently, for it was to my mother I always turned when things went wrong. 

On this her tears fell faster, but she came with me, and together weentered the room. 

"Juan!" cried my mother. --"Rosa! what is the matter? Why are youcrying? But come to me, darling;" and in another moment she waspressing the girl to her bosom. 

At a sign from her I left the room, but did not go far away. Rosa'saction was so odd that I waited with impatience to hear the reason. She must have left her home hurriedly and unobserved, since it was anunheard-of thing that the daughter of Don Felipe Montilla should be outon foot and unattended. I was sure that should her father discover ithe would be greatly annoyed. The whole affair was so mysterious that Icould make nothing of it. The girl's sobs were more under control now, and she began to speak. As she might not wish me to hear her story, Iwalked away, meaning to chat with Antonio at the gate, and to await myfather's return. 

He might not come for hours yet, as it was still early evening, but Ihoped he would, and the more so now on Rosa's account. She might needhelp which I was not old enough to give; while, as it chanced, JosephCraig, my father's trusty English servant, had gone that afternoon intoCallao. However, he also might be back at any moment now, and wouldnot, in any case, be late. 

Half an hour had perhaps passed, and I was turning from the gate, whentwo horsemen dashed up at full speed. One was Joseph Craig, or José asthe Spaniards called him, and my feeling of uneasiness returned as Inoticed that his face, too, wore a strange and startled look. 

José, as I have said, was my father's servant; but we all regarded himmore as a friend, and treated him as one of ourselves. He was awell-built man of medium height, with good features and keen gray eyes. He spoke English and Spanish fluently, and could make himselfunderstood in several Indian dialects. He kept the accounts of theestate, and might easily have obtained a more lucrative situation inany counting-house in Callao. He excelled, too, in outdoor sports, andhad taught me to fence, to shoot, and to ride straight. 

The second man I did not know. He seemed to be an Indian of themountains, and was of gigantic stature. His dress was altogetherdifferent from that of the Spaniards, and in his cap he wore a plume offeathers. His face was scarred by more than one sword-cut, his browswere lowering, and his massive jaw told of great animal strength. José's horse had galloped fast, but the one ridden by the stranger wasflaked with foam. 

Antonio would have opened the big gate without question: but I, thinking of Rosa, forbade him, saying to José in English, "Does he meanharm to the girl?"

You see, my head was full of the one idea, and I could think of nothingelse. I imagined that Rosa had run away from some peril, and that thisman with the savage face and cruel eyes had tracked her to our gate. So I put the question to José, who looked at me wonderingly. 

"The girl?" he repeated slowly; "what girl?"

"Rosa Montilla, " I answered. 

We spoke in English; but at the mention of Rosa's name the mountaineerscowled savagely, and leaned forward as if to take part in theconversation. 

"The man has come from the mountains with a message for your mother, "said José; "I met him at the entrance to the park. But if RosaMontilla is here, the news is known already. "

His face was very pale, and he spoke haltingly, as if his words wereburdensome, and there was a look in his eyes which I had never seenbefore. 

I motioned to Antonio, and the two passed through. What message didthey bring? What news could link dainty little Rosa with this wildoutlaw of the hills?

José jumped to the ground and walked with me, laying a hand on myshoulder. Until then I had no thought of the truth, but the touch ofhis fingers sent a shiver of fear through me, and I looked at his facein alarm. 

"What is it, José?" I asked; "what has happened? Why did Rosa stealhere alone and sob in my mother's arms as if her heart would break?"

"The little maid has heard bad news, " he answered quietly, "though howI do not know. "

"And as she had no mother, she came to mine for comfort, " I said. "Itwas a happy thought: mother will make her forget her trouble. "

José stopped, and looked searchingly in my face. 

"Poor boy!" he said. "You have no idea of the truth, and how can Itell you? The little maid did not weep for her own sorrow, but foryours and your mother's. "

At that I understood without further words, though I was to learn moresoon. The reason of it I guessed, though not the matter; but I knewthat somewhere my dear father lay dead--killed by order of the Spanishviceroy. 

José saw from my face that I knew, and there was sympathy in the verytouch of his hand. 

"It is true, " he whispered. "The Spaniards trapped him in themountains, whither he had gone to meet the Indians. They wished torise against the government; but he knew it was madness just now, andthought to keep them quiet till his own plans were ready. "

"And the Spaniards slew him?"

"Yes, " replied José simply. "Here, " pointing to the mountaineer, "isour witness. "

"But how did Rosa hear of it? she was not in the mountains. Ah, Iforgot! Her father stands high in the viceroy's favour. And so myfather is dead!"

The thought unnerved me, and I could have cried aloud in my sorrow. 

"Hold up your head, boy!" exclaimed the harsh voice of the mountaineer. "Tears are for women and girls. Years ago my father's head was cutoff, but I did not cry. I took my gun and went to the mountains, " andhe finished with a bitter laugh. 

"But my mother!" I said. "The news will break her heart. "

"The world will not know it, " he answered, and he spoke truly. 

"I am glad the little maid has told her, " remarked José, giving hishorse and that of the stranger to a serving-man. "Jack, do you go inand prepare her for our coming. "

A single glance showed that Rosa had indeed told her story. She sat ona lounge, looking very miserable. My mother rose and came toward me. Taking my hands, she clasped them in her own. She was a very beautifulwoman, famous for her beauty even among the ladies of Lima. She wastall and slightly built, with black hair and glorious dark eyes thatshone like stars. I have heard that at one time she was called the"Lady of the Stars, " and I am not surprised. They shone now, but allgentleness had gone from them, and was replaced by a hard, fierceglitter which half frightened me. Her cheeks were white, and her lipsbloodless; but as far as could be seen, she had not shed a tear. 

Still holding my hands, and looking into my face, she said, "You haveheard the news, Juan? You know that your father lies dead on themountains, slain while carrying a message of peace to the fierce menwho live there?"

I bowed my head, but could utter no sound save the anguished cry of"Mother, mother!"

"Hush!" she exclaimed; "it is no time for tears now. I shall weeplater in my own room, but not before the world, Juan. Our grief is ourown, my son, not the country's. And there is little Rosa, brave littleRosa, who came to bring me the news; she must go back. Let Miguelbring round the carriage, and see that half a dozen of the men ride inattendance. Don Felipe's daughter must have an escort befitting herfather's rank. "

I began to speak of the strange visitor outside; but Rosa was her firstcare, and she would see no one until Rosa had been attended to. So Ihurried Miguel, the coachman, and the men who were to ride on eitherside of the carriage, returning to the room only when all was ready. 

Mother had wrapped Rosa up warmly, and now, kissing her, she said, "Good-bye, my child. You were very good to think of me, and I shallnot forget. Tell your father the truth; he will not mind now. "

Rosa kissed my mother in reply, and walked unsteadily to the coach. She was still sobbing, and the sight of her white face added to mymisery. 

"Don't cry, Rosa, " said I, as I helped her into the carriage and wishedher good-bye, neither of us having any idea of the strange events whichwould happen before we met again. 

As soon as the carriage had gone, my mother directed that the strangershould be admitted, and he came in accompanied by José. I would haveleft the room, but my mother stopped me, saying, --

"No, Juan; your place is here. An hour ago you were but a thoughtlessboy; now you must learn to be a man. --Señor, you have brought news?You have come to announce the death of my husband; is it not so?"

The mountaineer bowed almost to the ground. 

"It is a sad story, señora, but it will not take long to tell. TheSpaniards pretended he was stirring up our people to revolt; theywaited for him in the passes, and shot him down like a dog. "

"Did you see him fall?"

The fellow's eyes flashed with savage rage. "Had I been there, " hecried, "not a soldier of them all would have returned to his quarters!But they shall yet pay for it, señora. My people are mad to rise. Only say the word, and send the son of the dead man to ride at theirhead, and Lima shall be in flames to-morrow. "

My mother made a gesture of dissent. 

"Don Eduardo liked not cruelty, " she exclaimed; "and it would be but apoor revenge to slay the innocent. But Juan shall take his father'splace, and work for his country's freedom. When the time comes tostrike he shall be ready. "

"Before the time comes he will have disappeared, " cried themountaineer, with a harsh laugh. "Do you think Don Eduardo's son willbe allowed to live? Accidents, señora, are common in Peru!"

"It is true, " remarked José; "Juan will never be out of danger. "

"But the country is not ready for revolt, and only harm can come from arising now. Should the Indians leave their mountain homes, the trainedsoldiers will annihilate them. "

"But Juan must be saved!"

"Yes, " assented my mother; "we must save Juan to take his father'splace. "

After this there was silence for a time. Then José spoke, "There isone way, " said he slowly. "He can find a refuge in Chili till SanMartin is ready; but he must go at once. "

A spasm of fresh pain shot across my mother's face, but it disappearedinstantly; even with this added grief she would not let people know howshe suffered. Only as her hand rested on mine I felt it tremble. 

"Let it be so, José, " she said simply. "I leave it to you. "

Then she thanked the mountaineer who had ridden so far to break theterrible news to her, and the two men went away, leaving us twotogether. 

"Mother, " I said, "must I really leave you?"

For answer she clasped me in her arms and kissed my face passionately. 

"But you will come back, my boy!" she cried; "you will come back. Nowthat your father is no more, you are my only hope, the only joy of mylife. O Juan, Juan! it is hard to let you go; but José is right--thereis no other way. I will be brave, dear, and wait patiently for yourreturn. Follow in your father's footsteps. Do the right, and fear notwhatever may happen; be brave and gentle, and filled with love for yourcountry, even as he was. Keep his memory green in your heart, and youcannot stray from the path of honour. "

"I will try, mother. "

"And if--if we never meet again, my boy, I will try to be brave too. "

She wiped away the tears which veiled like a mist the brilliance of herstarry eyes, and we sat quietly in the darkening room, while outsideJosé was making preparations for our immediate departure. 

At last he knocked at the door, and without a tremor in her voice shebade him enter. 

"The horses are saddled, señora. "

"Yes; and your plan, what is it?" she asked. 

"It is very simple, señora. Juan and I will ride straight to Mr. Warren at Callao. He may have a vessel bound for Valparaiso; if not, he will find us one for my master's sake. Once at sea, we shall be outof danger. General San Martin will give us welcome, and there are manyPeruvians in his army. "

Once my mother's wonderful nerve nearly failed her. "You will takecare of him, José, " she said brokenly. 

"I will guard him with my life, señora!"

"I know it, I am sure of it; and some day yon will bring him back tome. God will reward you, José. --Good-bye, Juan, my boy. Oh howreluctant I am to let you go!"

I will not dwell on the sadness of that parting. The horses werewaiting in the courtyard, and after the last fond embrace I mounted. 

"Good-bye, mother!"

"Farewell, my boy. God keep you!" and as we moved away I saw her whitehandkerchief fluttering through the gloom. 

At the gate the Indian waited for us, and he followed a few paces inthe rear. 

I thought this strange, and asked José about it. 

"It may be well to have a friend to guard our backs, " he replied. 

So in the gathering darkness I stole away from my home, with my heartsore for my father's death and my mother's suffering. And it was theeve of my birthday--the eve of the day to which I had looked forwardwith such delight!

Being so young, I did not really understand the peril that surroundedme; but my faith in José was strong, and I felt confident that intaking me away he was acting for the best. 

Our path through the park led us near the lake, and I glancedsorrowfully at its calm waters and fern-fringed border. I would haveliked to linger a moment at its margin, dwelling on past joys; but Joséhurried me on, remarking there was no time to waste. 

Only, as the great gates swung open, he let me stop, so that I mightbid a silent adieu to the beautiful home where my happy days ofchildhood had been passed. 

"Keep a brave heart, " said he kindly; "we shall be back some day. Andnow for a word of advice. Ride carefully and keep your eyes open. Idon't want to frighten you, but the sooner we're clear of Lima thebetter I shall be pleased. "

With that he put spurs to his horse, and with the clanging of the gatein our ears we rode off on the road to Callao, while the giganticIndian followed about twenty paces behind. 

CHAPTER II. 

AN EXCITING VOYAGE. 

It may be that José's fears on my account had exaggerated the danger, as we reached Callao without interruption, and dismounted outside Mr. Warren's villa. Here the Indian took leave of us, but before going heunfastened a silver key from the chain round his neck, and pressed itinto my hand. 

"It may happen, " said he, "that at some time or other you will needhelp. That key and the name of Raymon Sorillo will obtain it for youfrom every patriot in the mountains of Peru. For the present, farewell. When you return from Chili we shall meet again. "

Without waiting for my thanks he bade adieu to José and then, spurringhis horse into a gallop, he disappeared. 

From the man who opened the gate in answer to our summons we learnedthat my father's friend was at home, and leaving our horses, we wentimmediately into the house. This English merchant had often been ourguest, and it was soon abundantly evident that we had done right intrusting him. He was a short, round-faced man, with a floridcomplexion, twinkling eyes, and sandy hair. He was very restless andirritable, and had a queer habit of twiddling his thumbs backward andforward whenever his hands were unoccupied. 

"How do, Joseph?" exclaimed he, jumping up. "Come to take that berth Ioffered you? No? Well, well, what a fool a man can be if he tries!Why, bless me, this is young Jack Crawford! Eight miles from home, andat this time of night too! Anything the matter? Get it out, Joseph, and don't waste time. "

While Joseph was explaining the circumstances, the choleric little mandanced about the room, exclaiming at intervals, "Ted Crawford gone?Dear, dear! Not a better fellow in South America! I'd shoot 'em allor string 'em up! The country's going to the dogs, and a man isn'tsafe in his own house! Eh? What? Hurt the boy? What's the boy to dowith it? They can't punish him if his father had been fifty times arebel!"

"That is so, sir, " remarked José; "but he might meet with anunfortunate accident, or vanish mysteriously, or something of thatkind. What's the use of making believe? Those who have got rid of thefather won't spare the son, should he happen to stand in their way. "

"Which he will, " interrupted Mr. Warren. "My poor friend was hand inglove with the Indians, and they'll rally round the boy. "

"There are other things, too, which need not be gone into now, however, " said José; "but the long and the short of it is that Jackmust be got out of the way at present. "

"And his mother?"

"She has sent him to you. "

"But he can't be hidden here. The rascally Dons will have him in thecasemates before one can say 'Jack Robinson!'"

"We don't mean to stay here, sir, " replied José. "Our idea is to go toValparaiso, and we thought if you had a ship--"

"The very thing, Joseph, " and the thumbs went backward and forwardtaster than ever. "Maxwell has a schooner leaving in the morning. Youcan go on board to-night if you choose, but you had better have somesupper first. "

As it happened, both José and I had been some time without food, so wewere glad to have something to eat; after which Mr. Warren took us tothe quay, where the schooner _Aguila_ lay moored. 

"There she is, " he remarked; "let us go aboard. Most likely we shallfind Maxwell there. --Hi, you fellows, show a light!--Lazy dogs, aren'tthey? Mind your foot there, and don't tumble into the harbour; youwon't get to Valparaiso that way. --That you, Maxwell? I have brought acouple of friends who are so charmed with your boat that they want tomake a trip in her. Where do you keep your cabin? Let's go downthere; we can't talk on deck. "

Mr. Maxwell was another English merchant at Callao, and as soon as heheard what had happened, he readily agreed to give us a passage in the_Aguila_. We must be prepared to rough it, he said. The schooner hadno accommodation for passengers, but she was a sound boat, and theChilian skipper was a trustworthy sailor. Then he sent to hiswarehouse for some extra provisions, and afterwards introduced us tothe captain, whose name was Montevo. 

As the schooner was to sail at daylight, our friends remained with us, and, sitting in the dingy cabin, chatted with José about the state ofthe country. By listening to the talk I learned that General SanMartin was a great soldier from Buenos Ayres, who, having overthrownthe Spanish power in Chili, was collecting an army with which to drivethe Spanish rulers from Peru. At the same time another leader, GeneralBolivar, was freeing the northern provinces, and it was thought thatthe two generals, joining their forces, would sweep Peru from north tosouth. 

"And a good thing, too!" exclaimed Mr. Warren. "Perhaps we shall havea little peace then!"

"Pooh! stuff!" said his friend; "things will be worse than ever! Thesepeople can't rule themselves. They're like disorderly schoolboys, andneed a firm master who knows how to use the birch. I am all for astern master. "

"So am I, " agreed José, "if he's just, which the Spaniards aren't. "

"That is so, " cried Mr. Warren. "What would our property be worth ifit wasn't for the British frigate lying in the harbour? Tell me that, Maxwell; tell me that, sir! They'd confiscate the whole lot, and clapus into prison for being paupers, " and the thumbs revolved like thesails of a windmill. 

So the talk continued until daybreak, when the skipper, knocking at thecabin door, informed us that the schooner was ready to sail; so we allwent on deck, where the kindly merchants bade us good-bye, and hoped weshould have a pleasant voyage. 

"Keep the youngster out of mischief, Joseph. There's plenty of foodfor powder without using him, " were Mr. Warren's last words as hestepped ashore, followed by his friend. 

It was the first time I had been on board a ship, and I knew absolutelynothing of what the sailors were doing; but presently the boat began tomove, the merchants, waving their hands, shouted a last good-bye, andvery quickly we passed to the outer harbour. 

I have been in many dangers and suffered numerous hardships since then, some of which are narrated in this book, but I have never felt quite sowretched and miserable as on the morning of our departure from Callao. 

Wishing to divert my thoughts, José pointed out the beauties of the bayand the shore; but my gaze went far inland--to the lonely home where mymother sat with her grief, to the mighty cordillera where my father laydead. Time softened the pain, and brought back the pleasures of life, but just then it seemed as if I should never laugh or sing or be merryagain. 

The first day or two on the _Aguila_ did not tend to make me morecheerful, though the skipper did what he could to make us comfortable. We slept in a dirty little box, which was really the mate's cabin, andhad our meals, or at least José had, at the captain's table. 

By degrees, however, my sickness wore off, and on the fourth morning Ibegan to take an interest in things. By this time the land was out ofsight; for miles and miles the blue water lay around us--aninterminable stretch. There was not a sail to be seen, and the utterloneliness impressed me with a feeling of awe. 

José was as ignorant of seafaring matters as myself; but the captainsaid we were making a good voyage, and with that we were content. Astiff breeze blew the schooner along merrily, the blue sky was fleckedonly by the softest white clouds, and the swish, swish of the wateragainst the vessel's sides sounded pleasantly in our ears. I began tothink there were worse ways of earning a living than by going to sea. 

That same evening I turned in early, leaving José on deck, but I wasstill awake when he entered the cabin. 

"There's an ugly storm brewing, " said he, kicking off his boots, "and Idon't think the skipper much likes the prospect of it. He has allhands at work taking in the sails and getting things ready generally. Rather a lucky thing for us that the _Aguila_ is a stout boat. Listen!That's the first blast!" as the schooner staggered and reeled. 

Above us we heard the captain shouting orders, the answering cries ofthe sailors, and the groaning of the timbers, as if the ship were aliving being stretched on a rack. Slipping out of my bunk and dressingquickly, I held on to a bar to steady myself. 

"Let us go on deck before they batten down the hatches, " said José, putting on his boots again. "I've no mind to stay in this hole. Ifthe ship sinks, we shall be drowned like rats in a trap. "

He climbed the steps, and I followed, shuddering at the picture hiswords had conjured up. The scene was grand, but wild and awful in theextreme. I hardly dared to watch the great waves thundering along asif seeking to devour our tiny craft. Now the schooner hung poised fora moment on the edge of a mountainous wave; the next instant it seemedto be dashing headlong into a fathomless, black abyss. The wind toreon with a fierce shriek, and we scudded before it under bare poles, flying for life. 

Two men were at the wheel; the captain, lashed aft, was yelling outorders which no one could understand, or, understanding, obey. Thenight, as yet, was not particularly dark, and I shivered at sight ofthe white, scared faces of the crew. They could do nothing more; inthe face of such a gale they were helpless as babies; those at thewheel kept the ship's head straight by great effort, but beyond that, everything was unavailing. Our fate was in the hands of God; He alonecould determine whether it should be life or death. 

Once, above the fury of the storm, the howling of the wind, thestraining of the timber, there rose an awful shriek; and though thetragedy was hidden from my sight, I knew it to be the cry of an unhappysailor in his death-agony. A huge wave, leaping like some ravenousanimal to the deck, had caught him and was gone; while the spirit ofthe wind laughed in demoniacal glee as he was tossed from crest tocrest, the sport of the cruel billows. 

The captain had seen, but was powerless to help. The schooner was butthe plaything of the waves, while to launch a boat--ah, how thestorm-fiends would have laughed at the attempt! So leaving the haplesssailor to his fate, we drove on through a blinding wall of rain intothe dark night, waiting for the end. No sky was visible, nor the lightof any star, but the great cloud walls stood up thick on every side, and it seemed as if the boat were plunging through a dark and drearytunnel. 

Close to me, where a lantern not yet douted [Transcriber's note:doused?] cast its fitful light, a man lay grovelling on the deck. Hewas praying aloud in an agony of fear, but no sound could be heard fromhis moving lips. Suddenly there came a crash as of a falling body, thelight went out, and I saw the man no more. How long the night lasted Icannot tell; to me it seemed an age, and no second of it was free fromfear. Whether we were driving north, south, east, or west no one knew, while the fury of the storm would have drowned the thunder of waves ona surf-beaten shore. But the _Aguila_ was an English boat, built byhonest English workmen, and her planks held firmly together despite theraging storm. 

For long hours, as I have said, we were swallowed up in darkness, feeling ourselves in the presence of death; but the light broke throughat last, a cold gray light, and cheerless withal, which exactly suitedour unhappy condition. The wind, too, as though satisfied with itsnight's work, sank to rest, while by degrees the tossing of the angrybillows subsided into a peaceful ripple. 

We looked at each other and at the schooner. One man had been washedoverboard; another, struck by a falling spar, still lay insensible; therest were weary and exhausted. Thanks to the skipper's foresight, the_Aguila_ had suffered less than we had expected, and he exclaimedcheerfully that the damage could soon be repaired. But though our goodship remained sound, the storm had wrought a fearful calamity, whichdazed the bravest, and blanched every face among us. 

The skipper brought the news when he joined us at breakfast, and hislips could scarcely frame the words. 

"The water-casks are stove in, " he exclaimed, "and we have hardly agallon of fresh water aboard!"

"Then we must run for the nearest port, " said José, trying to speakcheerily. 

The captain spread out his hands dramatically. 

"There is no port, " he replied, in something of a hopeless tone, "andthere is no wind. The schooner lies like a log on the water. "

We went on deck, forgetting past dangers in the more terrifying onebefore us. The captain had spoken truly: not a breath of air stirred, and the sea lay beneath us like a sheet of glass. The dark clouds hadrolled away, and though the sun was not visible, the thin haze betweenus and the sky was tinged blood-red. It was such a sight as no man onboard had seen, and the sailors gazed at it in awestruck silence. 

Hour after hour through the livelong day the _Aguila_ lay motionless, as if held by some invisible cable. No ripple broke the glassysurface, no breath of wind fanned the idle sails, and the air webreathed was hot and stifling, as if proceeding from a furnace. 

The men lounged about listlessly, unable to forget their distress evenin sleep. The captain scanned the horizon eagerly, looking in vain forthe tiniest cloud that might promise a break-up of the hideous weather. José and I lay under an awning, though this was no protection from thestifling atmosphere. 

Every one hoped that evening would bring relief, that a breeze mightspring up, or that we might have a downpour of rain. Evening came, butthe situation was unchanged, and a great fear entered our hearts. Howlong could we live like this--how long before death would release usfrom our misery? for misery it was now in downright, cruel earnest. 

Once José rose and walked to the vessel's side, but, returning shortly, lay face downward on the deck. 

"I must shut out the sight of the sea, " he said, "or I shall go mad. What an awful thing to perish of thirst with water everywhere aroundus!"

This was our second night of horror, but very different in its naturefrom the first. Then, for long hours, we went in fear of the storm;now, we would have welcomed the most terrible tempest that ever blew, if only it brought us rain. 

Very slowly the night crept by, and again we were confronted by thegray haze, with its curious blood-red tint. We could not escape fromthe vessel, as our boats had been smashed in the hurricane; we couldonly wait for what might happen in this sea of the dead. 

"Rain or death, it is one or the other!" remarked José, as, rising toour feet, we staggered across to the skipper. 

Rain or death! Which would come first, I wondered. 

The captain could do nothing, though I must say he played his part likea man--encouraging the crew, foretelling a storm which should riselater in the day, and asserting that we were right in the track ofships. We had only to hold on patiently, he said, and all would comeright. 

José also spoke to the me cheerfully, trying to keep alive a glimmer ofhope; but as the morning hours dragged wearily along, they were fain togive way to utter despair. No ships could reach us, they said, whilethe calm lasted, and not the slightest sign of change could be seen. Our throats were parched, our lips cracked, our eyes bloodshot andstaring. One of the crew, a plump, chubby, round-faced man, begantalking aloud in a rambling manner, and presently, with a scream ofexcitement, he sprang into the rigging. 

"Sail ho!" he cried, "sail ho!" and forgetting our weakness, we alljumped up to peer eagerly through the gauzy mist. 

"Where away?" exclaimed the captain. 

The sailor laughed in glee. "Oho! Here she comes!" cried he; "hereshe comes!" and, tearing off his shirt, waved it frantically. 

The action was so natural, the man seemed so much in earnest, that wehung over the schooner's side, anxiously scanning the horizon for ourrescuer. Again the fellow shouted, "Here she comes!" and then, with afrenzied laugh, flung himself into the glassy sea. 

A groan of despair burst from the crew, and for several seconds no onemoved. Then José, crying, "Throw me a rope!" jumped overboard, andswam to the spot where the man had gone down. 

"Come back!" cried the skipper hoarsely; "you will be drowned! Thepoor fellow has lost his senses. " But José, unheeding the warning, clutched the man as he came to the surface a second time. 

We heard the demented laugh of the drowning sailor, and then the twodisappeared--down, down into the depths together. 

"He has thrown his life away for a madman!" said the captain, and hiswords brought me to my senses. 

With a prayer in my heart I leaped into the sea, hoping that I mightyet save the brave fellow. 

A cry from the schooner told me that he had reappeared, and soon I sawhim alone, and well-nigh exhausted. A dozen strokes took me to hisside, and then, half supporting him, I turned toward the vessel. Themen flung us a rope, and willing hands hauled first José and then meaboard. 

"A brave act, " said the skipper gruffly, "but foolhardy!"

José smiled, and, still leaning on me, went below to the cabin, where, removing our wet things, we had a good rub down. 

"Thanks, my boy!" said José, "but for your help I doubt if I could havegot back. The poor beggar nearly throttled me, down under!" and Inoticed on his throat the marks of fingers that must have pressed himlike a vice. 

"Do you feel it now?" I asked. 

"Only here, " touching his throat; "but for that, I should be all thebetter for the dip. Let us go on deck again; I am stifling here. Andkeep up your spirits, Jack. Don't give way the least bit, or it willbe all over with you. We are in a fearful plight, but help may yetcome. " And I promised him solemnly that I would do my best. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE END OF THE "AGUILA. "

The drowning of the crazy sailor had a bad effect on the rest of thecrew, and it became evident that they had abandoned all hope. Theyhung about so listlessly that even the captain could not rouse them, and indeed there was nothing they could do. 

This utter inability to help ourselves was the worst evil of the case. Even I, though only a boy, wanted to do something, no matter what, ifit would help in the struggle for life; but I, like the rest, couldonly wait--wait with throat like a furnace, peeling lips, smartingeyes, and aching head, till death or rain put an end to the misery. 

I tried not to think of it, tried to shut out the horrible end so closeat hand; but in vain. José sat beside me, endeavouring to rouse me. It must rain, he said, or the wind would spring up, and we should meetwith a ship; but in his heart I think he had no hope. 

The day crawled on, afternoon came, and I fell into a troubled sleep. The pain of my throat directed my wandering thoughts perhaps, andconjured up horrible visions. I was lashed to the wheel of the_Aguila_, and the schooner went drifting, drifting far away into anunknown sea. All was still around me, though I was not alone. Sailorswalked the deck or huddled in the forecastle--sailors with skin ofwrinkled parchment, with deep-set, burning yet unseeing eyes, withmoving lips from which no sound came; and as we sailed away everfurther and further into the darkness, the horror of it maddened me. Istruggled desperately to free myself, calling aloud to José to save me. Then a hand was laid softly on my forehead, and a kind, familiar voicewhispered, --

"Jack! Jack! Wake up. You are dreaming!" Opening my eyes I saw Josébending over me, his face stricken with fear. My head burned, but myface and limbs were wet as if I had just come from the sea. "Get up, "said José sharply, "and walk about with me. You must not dream again. "

It seems that in my sleep I had screamed aloud; but the sailors took nonotice of me either then or afterwards. They had troubles enough oftheir own, and were totally indifferent to those of others. 

The red tinge had now gone from the haze, leaving it cold and gray; thesea was dull and lifeless, no ripple breaking the stillness of itssurface. 

"Is there any hope, José?" I asked in a whisper, and from his face, though not from his speech, learned there was none. 

The captain had stored two bottles of liquor in the cabin for his ownuse. These he shared amongst us; but it was fiery stuff, and even atthe first increased rather than allayed our thirst. Most of the crewwere lying down now; but one had climbed to the roof of the forecastle, and stood there singing in a weak, quavering voice. José spoke to himsoothingly; but he only laughed, and continued his weird song. Hisface haunted me; even when darkness closed like a pall around us Icould still see it. He sang on and on in the gloom, and it appeared tome that he was wailing our death-chant. Presently there was silence, followed by a slight shuffling sound as the man moved to another partof the deck; then the song began again, and was followed by a burst ofuncanny laughter. Suddenly it seemed as if the poor fellow realizedhis position, as he broke into a sob and called on God to save him. 

Making our way to the other side of the vessel, we found him sittingdisconsolately on a coil of rope, and did our best to cheer him. Theskipper joined us, but no other man stirred hand or foot. Apparentlytheir terrible suffering had overpowered all feeling of sympathy. 

"Don't give way, " said José brightly, laying a hand on his shoulder;"bear up, there's a good fellow. Rain may fall at any moment now, andthen we shall be saved. "

"Ah, señor, " cried the poor fellow huskily, "my throat is parched, parched; my head is like a burning coal! but I will be quiet now andbrave--if I can. "

"This is terrible, " exclaimed the captain piteously, as after a time weturned away. 

"Hope must be our sheet-anchor, " said José. "Once cut ourselves adriftfrom that, and we shall go to ruin headlong. "

He spoke bravely, but his words came from the lips only, and this weall knew. Sitting down on a coil of rope, we waited for the night topass, longing for yet dreading the appearance of another dawn. It wasdreadfully silent, except when some poor fellow broke the stillnesswith his groans and cries of anguish. 

It was, as nearly as I could judge, about one o'clock in the morning, when José suddenly sprang to his feet with a cry of joy. 

"What is it?" I asked; and he, clapping his hands, exclaimed, --

"Lightning! See, there is another flash. --Get up, my hearties; thewind's rising. There's a beautiful clap of thunder. We shall have afine storm presently!"

One by one the men staggered to their feet. They heard the crash ofthe thunder, and a broad sheet of lightning showed them banks of cloudgathering thick and black overhead. Directed by the captain and helpedby José, they spread every sail and awning that could be used, collected buckets and a spare cask, and awaited the rain eagerly andexpectantly. Would it come? Fiery snakes played about the tops of themasts or leaped from sky to sea; the thunder pealed and pealed againthrough the air; the wind rose, the sails filled, the schooner movedthrough the water, but no rain fell. 

I cannot tell you a tithe of the hopes and fears which passed throughour hearts during the next half-hour. Now we exulted in the certaintyof relief; again we were thrown into the abyss of despair. We stoodlooking at the darkness, hoping, praying that the life-giving rainmight fall speedily upon our upturned faces. 

Another terrific crash, and then--ah, how earnestly we gave thanks toGod for His mercy--the raindrops came pattering to the deck, lightly atfirst, lightly and softly, like scouts sent forward to spy out theland, and afterwards the main body in a crowd beating fiercely, heavilyupon us. How we laughed as, making cups of our hands, we lapped thewelcome water greedily! What cries of delight ascended heavenward aswe filled our spare cask and every vessel that would hold water! Therain came down in a steady torrent, soaking us through; but we felt nodiscomfort, for it fed us with new life. 

Presently the captain got some of the men to work, while the others atethe food which had lain all day untasted, and then, doubly refreshed, they relieved their comrades. José and I, too, ate sparingly of somefood; but even this little, with the water, made new beings of us. 

As yet the wind was no more than a fair breeze, but by degrees itbecame boisterous, and the crew, still weak and now short of three men, could barely manage the schooner. José and I knew nothing ofseamanship, but we bore a hand here and there, straining at this ropeor that as we were bidden, and encouraging the crew to the best of ourability. 

As yet we gave little thought to the new danger that menaced us, beingfull of thanks for our escape from a horrible death; but the fury ofthe storm increased, the wind battered against the schooner in howlinggusts, and presently the topgallant mast fell with a crash to the deck. Fortunately no one was hurt, and we quickly cut the wreckage clear; butmisfortune followed misfortune, and at length, with white, scared face, the carpenter announced that water was fast rising in the hold. 

Here, at least, José and I were of service. Taking our places at thepumps, we toiled with might and main to keep the water down. Thus theremainder of the night passed with every one working at the pumps orassisting the captain to manage the vessel. 

Morning brought no abatement of the storm, but the light enabled us torealize more clearly how near we were, a second time, to death. Therain still poured down in torrents, the wind leaped at us withhurricane fury, the schooner tossed, a helpless wreck, in the midst ofa mountainous sea. The carpenter reported that, in spite of all ourlabours, the water was fast gaining on us. The sailors now lost heart, and one of them left his post, saying sullenly they might as well drownfirst as last. It was a dangerous example, but the skipper checked themischief. Running forward with loaded pistol, he shouted, --

"Go back to the pumps, you coward, or I will shoot you down like a dog!Call yourself a man? Why, that youngster there is worth fifty of you!"

The fellow returned to his work; but as the hours passed we became moreand more certain that no amount of pumping would save the ship. Evennow she was but a floating wreck, and soon she would be engulfed by theraging sea. 

While José and I were taking a rest, the captain told us that, evenshould the storm cease, the _Aguila_ must go down in less thantwenty-four hours, and that he knew not whether we were close to theshore or a hundred leagues from it. José received the news coolly. Hecame of a race that does not believe in whimpering, and his only carewas on my account. 

"I am sorry for your mother, Jack, " said he, "and for you too. We'rein a fair hole, and I don't see any way of getting out; but for allthat we will keep our heads cool. Never go under without a fight forit--that's as good a motto as any other. You heard the skipper say theschooner is bound to go down, and you know we have no boats--theywouldn't be any good if we had, while this storm lasts; but if the seacalms, a plank will keep you afloat a long time, and maybe a ship willcome along handy. Anyhow, make a fight for it, my boy. Now we'll havea snack of something to eat, and then for another spell at the pumps. "

By this time a feeling of despair had seized the crew, and but for fearof the captain's pistol they would have stopped work in a body. However, he kept them at it, and towards noon the tempest ceased almostas suddenly as it had begun. The gale dropped to a steady breeze, andthe surface of the ocean became comparatively calm. 

The change cheered us; we looked on it as a good omen, and toiled atthe pumps even harder than before. We could not lessen the quantity ofwater, but for a time we kept it from gaining, and a germ of hope creptback into our hearts. Every hour now was likely to be in our favour, as the captain judged the wind was blowing us to some part of thecoast, where we might either fall in with a vessel or effect a landing. Thus, between hope and fear, the afternoon passed, and then we saw thatthe captain's judgment was correct. 

Straight before us, though far off as yet, appeared the dark line ofcoast with a barrier of mountains in the background, and in front abroad band of snow-white foam. 

Would the schooner cover the distance? If so, would she escape beingdashed to pieces in the thundering surf? These were the questionswhich agitated our minds as, impelled by the breeze, she drove throughthe water. We of ourselves could do nothing save work at the pumps andwait for what might happen. 

Afternoon merged into evening, and evening into night. A few starspeeped forth in the sky, but were soon veiled by grayish clouds. Thebroad white band along the shore was startlingly distinct, and stillthe issue was undecided. 

The end came with such unexpected suddenness that the men hardly hadtime to cry out. José and I were resting at the moment, when theschooner lurched heavily, tried to right herself and failed, filledwith water, and sank like a stone. 

I often think of that shipwreck as a horrible dream. Down, down Iwent, holding my breath till it seemed impossible to stay longerwithout opening my mouth and swallowing the salt water. By an effort Irestrained myself till my head shot above the surface and once more Iwas free to breathe. 

The ship had disappeared entirely, and it was too dark to see such asmall object as a man's head. By great good fortune I managed to seizea floating spar, and, resting on it, called aloud for José. The onlyanswer was the anguished cry of a drowning man across the waste ofwaters. Twice again it came, and then all was silent, though inimagination I still could hear that anguished cry. The sea rolled inlong surges, carrying me forward without effort and at a great ratetoward the clear white line. Live or die, I could not help myself now, but was entirely at the mercy of the waves. I thought of José's adviceto make a fight for it, but there was nothing to be done. Clinging tomy spar, I was tossed from crest to depth like a ball bandied about byboys. 

And now my ears were filled with a great roaring as I approached nearerto the crested foam; then feeling that the end was very near, I prayedsilently yet fervently that God would comfort my mother in this her newtrial, and prepared myself to die. 

From the top of a high wave I went down into the depths, rose again tothe crest of a second huge roller, and then was flung with the velocityof lightning into the midst of the great sea-horses with their snowymanes. 

Of this part of the adventure I remember but little, only that for amoment I lay bruised and battered at the foot of a high rock. 

Once more José's advice sounded in my ear, and loosing my spar, Iclambered, dizzy and half blind, to the top. The ramping white horsesraced after as if to drag me back, but finding that impossible, retiredsullenly to spring yet once again. Shrieking and hissing, the greatwhite monsters tore along, dashing in fury and breaking in impotenceagainst the immovable rocks. The wild, weird scene, too, frightenedme; for I was but a boy, remember, who up to this had never met with amore stirring adventure, perhaps, than a tussle with a high-spiritedpony. I was worn out, too, by hard toil, faint from loss of blood, saddened by the loss of my faithful José, and by the awful calamitythat had overtaken the crew of the schooner. Yet, in spite of all, sostrong was the instinct to live, that, almost without thought, Iclambered along the rocky ridge which jutted out from the mainland, while the baffled waves raced hungrily on either side of me, as if evennow loath to abandon their expected prey. 

At length the line of white foam was at my back. I found myself on aboulder-strewn beach, and for the time safe! Although half dead withprivation and exposure, I wandered some way along the beach, callingaloud on José and the sailors, forgetful that the roar of the surfdrowned my voice. 

Presently I could go no further, the beach in that direction beingwalled in by a rocky cliff, steep and high, and but for a narrowfissure upon which I happily came, insurmountable. 

I say happily, for at the summit of the cliff I fancied I saw the flashof a lantern. A lantern meant human beings, who on hearing my storywould search the shore, and find, perhaps, that others besides myselfhad escaped from the wreck. With this idea in my head, I began toclimb, going very steadily; for, as I have said, the track was littlemore than a fissure in the rock, and my head was far from clear. Itoiled on, cutting my hands and legs with the jagged rocks, but makingsome progress, till at length I had covered the greater part of thedistance; then I could do no more. A tiny crevice gave me foothold, and I was able to rest my arms on a wide ledge, but had no strength todraw myself up to it. Twice I tried and failed; then fearful lest mystrength should give way, I strove no more, but, raising my voice, shouted loudly for help. Very mournful the cry sounded in the silentnight, as I hung there utterly helpless on the face of the cliff. 

Again and again I shouted with all my might, to be answered at firstonly by the roar of the surf below. Presently, on the summit of thecliff, not far above me, a lantern flashed, then another, and another, and a voice hailed me through the darkness. 

"Help!" I cried, "help!" and my voice was full of despair, for mystrength was fast ebbing. I must soon lose my hold, and be dashed topieces at the foot of the cliff. 

The lanterns flashed to and fro above me. Would they never comenearer? What was that? A big stone bounding and bouncing from rock torock whizzed past my head, and disappeared in the gloom below. Collecting all my strength, I shouted again, fearing that it must befor the last time. 

But now--oh, how sincerely I gave thanks to God!--a light had come overthe edge of the cliff, and though moving slowly, it certainly advancedin my direction. Yes, I saw a man's outline. In one hand he carried alantern, in the other a noosed rope, and he felt his way carefully. 

"Help! help!" I exclaimed, faintly enough now; but he heard me, and Iknew I was saved. Putting the lantern on the ledge and grasping thecollar of my coat, he got the noose round my body under the arms, andthose above drew me up. 

[Illustration: "Help! help!" I exclaimed, faintly; but he heard me, andI knew I was saved. ]

The lanterns showed a group of men in uniform, who crowded around me asI reached the top; but being uncertain how long my strength would last, I cried, --

"A wreck! Search the beach. There may have been others washed ashore. "

Upon this there was much talking, and then two men carried me away, leaving their companions, as I hoped, to search for any chancesurvivors. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE SILVER KEY. 

It would be hard for me to tell just what happened during the next dayor two. I did not lose consciousness altogether, but my nerves were soshattered that I mixed up fact and fancy, and could hardly separate mydreams from events which actually took place. 

On the third or fourth day my senses became clearer I lay on a bed in asmall cell-like apartment. In the opposite corner was a mattress, witha blanket and rug rolled neatly at the head; above it, on the wall, hung a sword and various military articles, as if the room belonged toa soldier. 

Presently, as I lay trying to recall things, the door was pushed open, and a man entered. He was young; his face was frank and open, and hehad fine dark eyes. He was in undress uniform, and I judged, rightlyas it turned out, that he was a Spanish officer. Seeing me looking athim, he crossed to the bed, and exclaimed in the Spanish tongue, "Areyou better this morning?"

I nodded and smiled, but could not speak--my throat hurt me so. 

"All right!" he cried gaily. "Don't worry; I understand, " and at thathe went out, coming back presently with the military doctor. 

Now I had no cause, then or afterwards, to love the Spaniards; but Ihold it fair to give even an enemy his due, and it is only just to saythat this young officer, Captain Santiago Mariano, treated me royally. In a sense I owed my life to him, and I have never forgotten hiskindness. 

As my strength returned he often sat with me, talking of the wreck, from which I was apparently the only one rescued. Three men, he said, had been washed ashore, but they were all dead. Two were ordinarysailors, and from his description I easily recognized the third asMontevo, the skipper. 

There was a rumour, the young officer continued, that a man had beenpicked up by some Indians further along the coast; but no one reallyknew anything about it, and for his part he looked on it as an idletale. 

There was small comfort in tills; yet, against my better judgment, Ibegan to hope that José had somehow escaped from the sea. He was astrong man and a stout swimmer, while for dogged courage I have rarelymet his equal. 

One morning Santiago came into my room--or rather his--with a troubledexpression on his face. I was able to walk by this time, and stood bythe little window, watching the soldiers at exercise in the courtyard. 

"Crawford, " said he abruptly, "have you any reason to be afraid ofGeneral Barejo?"

Now, until that moment I had not given a thought to the fact that inescaping one danger I had tumbled headlong into another; but thisquestion made me uneasy. As far as safety went, I might as well havestayed at my mother's side in Lima as have blundered into a far-offfortress garrisoned by Spanish soldiers. 

"I ought not to speak of this, " continued Santiago, "but the warningmay help you. Did you hear the guns last night?"

"Yes, " said I, wondering. 

"It was the salute to the general, who is inspecting the forts alongthe coast. "

"I have heard my father speak of General Barejo. "

"Well, after dinner last evening the commandant happened to speak ofyour shipwreck, and the general was greatly interested. 'A boy namedCrawford?' said he thoughtfully; 'is he in the fort now?' and onhearing you were, told the commandant he would see you in the morning. This is he crossing the courtyard. He is coming here, I believe. "

I had only time to thank Santiago for his kindness when the generalentered the room. He was a short, spare man, with closely-cropped grayhair and a grizzled beard. His face was tanned and wrinkled, but heheld himself erect as a youth; and his profession was most pronounced. 

The young captain saluted, and, at a sign from the general, left theroom. 

Barejo eyed me critically, and with a grim smile exclaimed, "By St. Philip, there's no need to ask. You're the son of the EnglishmanCrawford, right enough. "

"Who was murdered by Spanish soldiers, " said I, for his cool andsomewhat contemptuous tone roused me to anger. 

He smiled at this outburst, and spread out his hands as if to say, "Theboy's crazy;" but when he spoke, it was to ask why I had left Lima. 

"Because I had no wish to meet with my father's fate, " I answeredbrusquely; and he laughed again. 

"Faith, " he muttered, "the young cockerel ruffles his feathers early!"and then, again addressing me, he asked, "And where were you going?"

"On a sea voyage, for the benefit of my health--and to be out of theway. "

To this he made no reply, but his brows puckered up as if he were indeep thought. I stood by the window watching him, and wondering whatwould be the outcome of this visit. 

After a short time he said, slowly and deliberately, so that I mightlose nothing of his speech, "Listen to me, young sir. Though you areyoung, there are some things you can understand. Your father tried, and tried hard, to wrest this country from its proper ruler, ourhonoured master, the King of Spain. He failed; but others have takenhis place, and though you are only a boy, they will endeavour to makeuse of you. We shall crush the rebellion, and the leaders will losetheir lives. I am going to save you from their fate. "

I thought this display of kindness rather strange, but made no remark. 

"In this fortress, " he continued, "you will be out of mischief, andhere I intend you shall stay till the troubles are at an end. "

"That sounds very much as if you mean to keep me a prisoner!" Iexclaimed hotly. 

"Exactly, " said he; then turning on his heel he walked out. 

From the window I watched him cross the courtyard and enter thecommandant's quarters. Ten minutes afterwards Santiago appeared with afile of soldiers. 

"Very sorry, my boy, " said the young captain, coming into the room, "but a soldier must obey orders. You are my prisoner. "

"I couldn't wish for a better jailer, " said I, laughing. 

"I'm glad you take it like that, but unfortunately you won't be undermy care. Have you all your things? This way, then. "

We marched very solemnly side by side along the corridor, the soldiersa few paces in the rear. At the end stood a half-dressed Indian, holding open the door of a cell. 

"Oh, come, " said I, looking in, "it's not so bad. "

The cell was, indeed, almost a counterpart of Santiago's room, only thewindow was high up and heavily barred. The furniture consisted ofbedstead and rugs, a chair, small table, and one or two other articles. The floor was of earth, but quite dry; and altogether I was fairlysatisfied with my new home. 

"You'll have decent food and sufficient exercise, " said the captain, who had entered with me; "but"--and here he lowered his voice to awhisper--"don't be foolish and try to escape. Barejo's orders arestrict, and though it may not appear so, you will be closely guarded. "

"Thanks for the hint, " said I as he turned away. 

The Indian shut the door, the bolts were shot, the footsteps of thesoldiers grew fainter, and I was alone. 

I shall not dwell long on my prison life. I had ample food, and twicea day was allowed to wander unmolested about the courtyard. Thegeneral had gone, and most of the officers, including Santiago, showedme many acts of kindness, which, though trifling in themselves, didmuch towards keeping me cheerful. 

Several weeks passed without incident, and I began to get very tired ofdoing nothing. There seemed to be little chance of escape, however. Every outlet was guarded by an armed sentry, and I was carefullywatched. One day I dragged my bedstead under the window, and making aladder of the table and chair, climbed to the bars. A single glanceshowed the folly of trying to escape that way without the aid of wings. That part of the fort stood on the brink of a frightful precipice whichfell sheer away for hundreds of feet to the rocky coast. 

Of course I had no weapon of any kind, but the Spaniards had allowed meto keep the silver key, which hung around my neck by a thin, stout cord. 

I had almost forgotten the mountaineer's strange words, when a triflingincident brought them vividly to my mind. One morning the Indian, asusual, brought in my breakfast, and was turning to go, when he suddenlystopped and stared at me with a look of intense surprise. He was ashort, stout, beardless man, with a bright brown complexion and ratherintelligent features. 

"Well, " I exclaimed, "what is it? Have I altered much since yesterday?"

The man bent one knee, and bowing low, exclaimed in great excitement, "It is the key!"

Then I discovered that, my shirt collar being unfastened, the silverkey had slipped outside, where it hung in full view. 

"Yes, " said I, "it is the key right enough. What of it?"

His eyes were flashing now, and the glow in them lit up his whole face. 

"What is the master's name?" he whispered eagerly. 

Now this was an awkward question for me to answer. In the first place, the man might or might not be trustworthy; and in the second, the onlyname I knew was that of the bandit chief. However, I concluded theventure was worth making, and said, "Men call the owner of the keyRaymon Sorillo. "

"Ah!" exclaimed the Indian, with a sigh of satisfaction, "he is a greatchief. Hide the key, señor, and wait. A dog's kennel is no place forthe friend of our chief. "

With that he went out, and the door clanged after him, while I stoodlost in astonishment. What did he mean? Was it possible that heintended to help me? Thrusting the mysterious key out of sight, I satdown to breakfast with what appetite I could muster. All that day Iwas in a state of great excitement, though at exercise I took care toappear calm. I waited with impatience for the evening meal, which, tomy disgust, was brought by a strange soldier. 

"Hullo!" I exclaimed, "a change of jailers? What has become of theother fellow?"

"The dog of an Indian is ill, " answered the man, who was evidently in avery bad temper, "and I have his work to do. "

Placing the things on the table, he went out, slamming the door behindhim, and shooting the bolts viciously. The next morning he came again, and indeed for four days in succession performed the sick man's duties. 

Now you may be sure I felt greatly interested in this sudden illness. It filled me with curiosity, and to a certain extent strengthened myhope that the Indian intended to help me to escape from the fort. Whathis plans were, of course I could not conjecture. 

On the fifth night I undressed and lay down as usual. It was quitedark in the cell, and the only sound that reached me was the periodical"All's well!" of the sentry stationed at the end of the corridor. Fora long time I lay puzzling over the strange situation, but at lengthdropped into a light sleep. 

Suddenly I was awakened by a queer sensation, and sat up in bed. Itwas too dark to see anything, but I felt that some one was creepingstealthily across the floor. Presently I heard a faint sound, and knewthat the object, whatever it might be, was approaching nearer. At theside of the bed it stopped, and a muffled voice whispered, "Señor, areyou awake?"

"Yes, " said I. "Who's there?"

"A friend of the silver key. Dress quickly and come with me; the wayis open. "

"Where is the sentry?" I asked. 

"Gagged and insensible, " replied the voice. "Quick, while there is yettime. "

Perhaps it was rather venturesome thus to trust myself in the hands ofan unknown man, but I slipped on my clothes, and keeping touch of hisarm, accompanied him into the dimly-lighted corridor. 

Turning to the left, we glided along close to the wall. At the end ofthis passage the body of the sentry lay on the ground, while near athand crouched an Indian, keeping watch. 

This man joined us, and my guide immediately led the way into an emptyroom, the door of which was open. As soon as we were inside he closedit softly. 

"Keep close to me, " he whispered, and then said something to an unseenperson in a patois I did not understand. 

Presently he stopped, and I could just distinguish the figure of athird man, who, grasping my hand, whispered, "The silver key hasunlocked the door, señor. "

Before I could recover from my astonishment--for the man who spoke wasthe sick jailer--my guide let himself down through a trap-door, andcalled to me to follow. I found myself on a flight of steep steps in akind of shaft, very narrow, and so foul that breathing was difficult. At the bottom was a fair-sized chamber, with a lofty roof--at least Ijudged it so by the greater purity of the air--and here the guidestopped until his companion caught up with us. The jailer, to mysurprise, had remained in the fort, but there was no time forexplanation. 

The exit from the chamber was by means of an aperture so low that wehad to lie flat on the ground, and so narrow that even I found it hardwork to wriggle through. 

Of all my adventures, this one impressed itself most strongly on mymind. People are apt to smile when I speak of what one man called"crawling along a passage;" yet had the terrors of the journey beenknown beforehand, I think I could hardly have summoned the courage toface them. 

We went in Indian file, I being second, and my shoulders brushed thesides of what was apparently a stonework tube. There was not a glimmerof light, and the foul air threatened suffocation at every yard. Icould breathe only with great difficulty, my throat seemed choked, Iwas bathed in perspiration, while loathsome creatures crawled orscampered over every part of me. 

Before half the distance was covered--and I make the confession withoutshame--I was truly and horribly afraid. However, there was no turningback--indeed there was no turning at all--so I crawled on, hoping andpraying for light and air. 

Presently I caught sight of a dull red glow like that from a burningtorch, my breath came more easily, and at the end of another hundredyards the guide, rising to his feet, stood upright: we had arrived atthe exit from the tunnel. Clambering up, I once more found myself inthe open air, and was instantly followed by the second Indian. Twoother men waited for us, and the four, with some difficulty, rearrangeda huge boulder which effectually blocked the aperture. 

Then the light from the torch was quenched, and I was hurried off inthe darkness. For an hour perhaps we travelled, but in what directionI had no idea. At first we had the roar of the thundering sea in ourears, but presently that grew faint, until the sound was completelylost. The route was rocky, and I should say dangerous; for the guideclutched my arm tightly, and from time to time whispered a warning. 

At last he stopped and whistled softly. The signal was heard andanswered, and very soon I became aware of several dusky figures, including both men and horses. No time was wasted in talk; a manbrought me a horse, and a loose cloak with a hood in which to muffle myhead. I mounted, the others sprang to their cumbrous saddles, and at aword from the guide we set off. 

The route now lay over a desert of loose sand, in which the animalssank almost to their fetlocks; every puff of wind blew it around us inclouds, and but for the hood I think I must have been both blinded andchoked. 

I have not the faintest idea how the leader found his way, unless itwas by the direction of the wind, as there were no stars, and it wasimpossible to see beyond a few yards. 

Hour after hour passed; dawn broke cold and gray. The choking sand wasleft behind, and we approached a narrow valley shut in by two giganticranges of hills. Here a voice hailed us from the rocks, the guideanswered the challenge, and the whole party passed through the defileto the valley beyond. 

It was now light enough to observe a number of Indian huts dotted abouton both slopes; and the horsemen who had formed my escort quicklydispersed, leaving me with the guide. 

"We are home, " said he, "and the dogs have lost their prey. "

Dismounting and leading the horses, we approached a hut set somewhatapart from the rest. An Indian boy standing at the entrance took ouranimals away while we entered the hut. 

"Will you eat, señor, or sleep?" asked my rescuer. 

"Sleep, " said I, "as soon as you have answered a question or two. "

I cannot repeat exactly what the man told me, as his Spanish was noneof the best, and he mixed it up with a patois which I only halfunderstood. However, the outline of the story was plain enough, andwill take but little telling. 

My late jailer belonged to the Order of the Silver Key, a powerfulIndian society, acting under the leadership of Raymon Sorillo. He hadbeen placed in the fort both as a spy on the garrison and to assistcomrades if at any time they endeavoured to capture the stronghold byway of the secret passage. Only the commandant and his chief officerwere supposed to know of its existence, but a strange accident hadrevealed it to the Indians some years previously. 

The jailer, of course, could have set me free, but in that case he musthave joined in my flight. The plan he adopted was to communicate withhis friends, and then, by feigning illness, to divert suspicion fromhimself. As soon as we descended the steps, he replaced the trap-door, removed all signs of disturbance, and crept cautiously back to his room. 

When the Indian had finished his explanation, I asked him to what placehe had brought me. 

"The Hidden Valley, " he replied, "where no Spaniard has ever set foot. Here you are quite safe, for all the armies of Peru could not tear youfrom this spot. "

"Does Sorillo ever come here?" I asked. 

"Rarely; but his messengers come and go at their pleasure. "

"That is good news, " I remarked, thinking of my mother. "I shall beable to get a message through to Lima. And now, if you please, I willgo to sleep. "

He spread a rug on the earth floor, covered me with another, and in afew minutes I was fast asleep, forgetful even of the dismal tunnel andits horrible associations. 

CHAPTER V. 

IN THE HIDDEN VALLEY. 

Perhaps my Indian host overstated the case, but he could not have beenfar wrong in saying that no stranger had ever succeeded in finding theHidden Valley. 

Let me describe the coast of Peru, and then you may be able to formsome idea of the district between the Spanish fortress and my new home. The coast is a sandy desert studded with hills, and having in thebackground stupendous ranges of towering mountains. From north tosouth the desert is cut at intervals by streams, which in the rainyseason are converted into roaring rivers. Little villages dot thebanks of these streams, and here and there are patches of cultivatedland. 

From one river to another the country is for the most part a drearydesert of sand, where rain never falls nor vegetation grows--a deadland, where the song of a bird is a thing unknown. Sometimes after asandstorm a cluster of dry bones may be seen--the sole remains of losttravellers and their animals. At times even the most experiencedguides lose the track, and then they are seen no more. Over such adesert I had ridden from the fort, and the Indians assured me that, even in broad daylight, I could not go back safely without a guide. 

As for the valley itself, it was comparatively nothing but a slit inthe mass of mountains. A river ran through it, and the water was usedby the Indians to irrigate the surrounding land. Their live stockconsisted chiefly of oxen and horses, and the principal vegetablescultivated were maize and coca. You may not know that this coca is aplant something like the vine, and it grows to a height of six or eightfeet. The leaves are very carefully gathered one by one. They arebitter to the taste, however, and as a rule strangers do not takekindly to coca. The Indian is never without it. It is the first thinghe puts into his mouth in the morning, and the last thing that he takesout at night. He carries a supply in a leathern pouch hung round hisneck, and with this and a handful of roasted maize he will go a longday's journey. I had never chewed coca before, but soon got into thehabit of doing so, much to the delight of my new friends. 

My stay in the Hidden Valley, although lasting nearly two years, hadlittle of interest in it. The Indians treated me with every respect. I was lodged in the best house, and was given the best fare the valleyproduced. Within the valley I was master, but I was not allowed tojoin any of their expeditions, and without their help it wasimpossible, as I have explained, to get away. 

Their advice to stay quietly in my hiding-place was indeed the bestthey could give. I was quite safe, the Spanish soldiers in the fortbeing unable to follow me, and indeed, as we gathered from the spy, quite at a loss to account for my escape. Away from the valley, too, Ishould be utterly helpless. I could not return to Lima, and withoutmoney there was little chance of making my way into Chili. 

The two things that troubled me most were José's fate and my mother'sunhappiness. At first I had ventured to hope that my friend stilllived; but as the weeks and months passed without any tidings, I beganto look upon him as dead. The Indians thought it certain I shouldnever see him again. 

As to my mother, she would be in no particular uneasiness until thetime came for the return of the _Aguila_; but I dreaded what wouldhappen when Mr. Maxwell had to confess the schooner was overdue, andthat nothing had been heard of her. Many miserable hours I spentwandering about the valley, and thinking how my mother would watch andwait, hoping against hope for some tidings of the missing ship. 

One night--it was in the December of 1819--I had gone to bed early, when an unusual commotion in the valley caused me to get up. My Indianhost had already gone out, so, putting on my things, I followed. 

Naturally my first thought was of the Spaniards; but the natives, though flocking towards the entrance to the valley, did not appearalarmed. Several of them carried torches, and a strange picture wasrevealed by the lurid flames. 

On the ground lay a horse so weak and exhausted that it could barelystruggle for breath. Close by, supported in the arms of two Indians, was the rider, a short, rather stout man of brown complexion. His eyeswere glazed as if in death. Blood gushed from his ears and nostrils, his head hung limply down: it was hard to believe that he lived. 

The natives gabbled to each other, and I heard the words frequentlyrepeated, "Sorillo's messenger!" Then an old, old woman--the _mother_of the village--tottered feebly down the path. In one hand she carrieda small pitcher, and in the other a funnel, whose slender stem theyinserted between the man's teeth. In this way a little liquid wasforced into his mouth, and presently his bared breast heavedslightly--so slightly that the motion was almost imperceptible. 

However, the old woman appeared satisfied, and at a sign from her thestricken man was carried slowly up the path. One native attended tothe horse, and the rest returned to their huts, talking excitedly ofwhat had happened. 

"Is that a messenger from Raymon Sorillo, Quilca?" I asked my host. 

"Yes, " said he, "and he has had a very narrow escape. He has beencaught in a sandstorm. Perhaps he lost the track. Perhaps thesoldiers gave chase, and he went further round to baffle them. Whoknows? But we shall hear to-morrow. "

"Then he is likely to recover?"

"Yes; the medicine saved him. Didn't you see his chest move?"

"Yes, " I replied, thinking that but a small thing to go on. 

"That showed the medicine was in time, " returned Quilca. "It has begunits work, and all will be well. "

Quilca spoke so confidently that, had I been the patient, I should havestarted on the road to recovery at once. 

"Will he stay here long?" I asked. 

"Who knows?" replied Quilca. "The chief gives orders; the servantsobey. "

"But he will return at some time?"

"It is likely. "

"And will he take a message to my mother, do you think?"

"Oh yes, " said the Indian; "I had forgotten. Besides"--and he touchedthe cord supporting the silver key--"he is your servant, as I am. "

For three days the messenger was too weak to explain his errand; butthe medicine worked wonders, and at the end of a week he sent forQuilca and the other leading men of the tribe. 

What orders he brought I did not learn; only my host told me that therising to which they looked forward had been put off. The Chilianswere not ready, and could not be in Peru for at least another sixmonths. 

Quilca was dreadfully disappointed; but the chief had spoken, and hisword was law. Indeed, it was most extraordinary to see with whatreverence his commands were treated. Had it been his pleasure, I amsure his followers would have willingly gone to certain death. 

On the day following this I visited the messenger, who, on seeing thesilver key, bowed low before me. 

"What are my lord's commands?" asked he humbly. 

"They are very simple, " I replied. "In a short time you are returningto your chief. Say to him that Juan Crawford is safe in the HiddenValley, and ask him to tell Señora Maria Dolores Crawford at Lima so. Can you remember that?"

The blood mounted into the man's face as he said, "I will remember. "Then he added in quick, eager tones, "Are you the son of Don Eduardo?"

"He was my father. "

At that the man bent again and kissed my hand, saying, --

"Señor, he was our best friend. He loved our people, and when he waskilled there was much weeping in the villages of the Indians. "

"He gave his life for you, " said I slowly. 

"As we will give ours for his son, " answered the man; and no onehearing him could have doubted the sincerity of his words. 

At the end of a fortnight he was strong enough to travel, and his lastwords as he struck into the narrow pass were, "I shall not forget, señor. "

After his departure I felt much easier. True, there was a terriblejourney before him, which hardly one man in a thousand could hope toaccomplish successfully; but he was a daring and plucky rider, usedalike to desert and mountain. Then, too, any Indian on the route wouldgive him food and shelter, and warn him of any lurking soldiers. 

He would relate my story to Raymon Sorillo, and I knew that thegigantic chief would carry the news to my mother. I no longer frettedat being shut up in the valley, but passed my time merrily with theboys and younger men of the tribe, learning their patois, riding, andpractising shooting with the musket, and with bow and arrow. 

On my fifteenth birthday Quilca organized some sports, and though notgaining a first prize in any event, I performed so creditably that theIndians were delighted with my prowess. 

"The young chief will make a warrior, " said they, and I felt proud oftheir praise. 

Let me try to give you a picture of myself at that time. I was tallfor my age, standing five feet five inches in height. I had curly darkhair, cut rather short, and brown eyes. My face was tanned throughexposure to the weather and regular exercise had made my muscles hardas iron. Like my companions, I wore a short woollen jacket, dark incolour, and breeches open at the knees, and caught up with strips ofcoloured cotton. My cap was of wool gorgeously embroidered; darkwoollen stockings without feet covered my legs, and in place of boots Ihad a pair of goatskin sandals. Thrown over my left shoulder was asmall poncho, which dangled like the cloak worn by some of our cavalrysoldiers. 

Some time during the month of April Sorillo's messenger returned, bringing me two letters--one from my mother, the other from the chief. 

I need not say how eagerly I opened the first. It was very long, consisting of several closely-written pages, but it did not contain aword too much. I read it over and over again, until I could almost sayit by heart. No word had reached Lima of the wreck of the _Aguila_;but the British merchants, though bidding my mother be of good cheer, had put the schooner down for lost. My message had shown their fearsto be well grounded, but at the same time it had carried joy andthankfulness to my mother's breast. 

"I grieve for poor José, " she wrote, "but I thank God every hour foryour safety. "

The letter from Sorillo was brief. After saying how glad he was to getmy message, he went on, --

"For the present, stay in the Hidden Valley; there is no safer place inPeru. The fruit ripens slowly, and even yet is not ready for plucking. San Martin has not left Valparaiso, and little beyond skirmishing willbe done this year. "

Apparently, however, he had sent definite orders to the tribe, as fromthis date I noticed a great difference in our hitherto peaceful abode. Every man went armed day and night, scouts were posted on themountains, and swift riders scoured the desert for miles. 

Once, too, a band of horsemen, twenty strong, led by Quilca, left thevalley at night. I could not learn their business, because Quilca saidthey were acting under the secret orders of the great chief. They wereabsent three days, and when, in the gray dawn of the fourth morning, they rode back up the valley, three were missing. The leader had abloodstained bandage round his head, and several men bore signs of afierce conflict. 

"You are hurt?" said I, as Quilca dismounted. 

"It is nothing, " replied he carelessly. 

"And three of your followers have not returned!"

"It cost six lives to kill them, " he answered, with fiercesatisfaction, passing into the hut. 

This expedition was followed by others, and from the talk in the valleyI gathered that Sorillo had started the Indians on the war-trail. Already the Spaniards were safe only in large numbers, for on everyweak and isolated detachment the fierce mountaineers swept down likehawks on their prey. 

Now and again they were beaten off; but this did not happen often, because they knew the number of their enemy almost to a man, and hadlearned the most effective method of attack. Generally speaking, thelittle body of Spanish soldiers had no chance whatever, either offlight or of victory. 

From time to time strange and startling rumours reached us. InSeptember we heard that the Chilian army had landed on the coast, andsoon afterwards that the Englishman Cochrane had swept the Spanishfleet from the seas. José had often spoken of this daring sailor, who, after performing many glorious deeds in the British navy, had takencommand of the Chilian fleet, and had done much to make Chiliindependent of Spain. Now, with his ships and sailors, he was helpingto do the same for Peru. 

On hearing these things I became impatient, not wishing to remaincooped up in the valley while the Liberating Army was marching on Lima. 

However, my deliverance, though slow in coming, came at length, butbefore that time I had a most startling surprise. One morning, in thelast week of January 1821, I had gone out very early, half expecting tosee Quilca returning from one of his excursions. Most of the Indianswere astir, when suddenly a man came running from the mouth of the pass. 

"Here they are!" he cried; "here they are!"

We pushed down quickly to meet them, I in the very front. Quilcaappeared first, riding slowly, as if his horse were tired out. Hismen, lolling on their animals, followed, some of them with closed eyesand half asleep. 

Presently I caught sight of Sorillo's messenger, nearly at the end ofthe line; and then I opened my eyes wide, thinking they had played mefalse. Was I awake, or was I dreaming? Was I--

"Jack!"

That settled it! The Indians stared in astonishment, as with astartled cry I ran past them to where in the rear a man had jumped fromhis horse to the ground. 

"José!" I cried, "José!" and for the life of me could say no more, butstood staring at him as if he had been some strange, unnatural animal. 

Had I the skill of an artist, I should love to draw his face as helooked into mine. It was strong and firm and purposeful, but the grayeyes softened into almost womanly tenderness. 

"Why, Jack, " said he, shifting the reins and laying a hand on myshoulder, "you're quite a man! Your mother would be proud of you!"

"Have you seen her?" I asked. 

"Yes; all's well at home. But we'll talk of that later on. So you'veturned Indian, eh?"

"It's better than living in a cell!"

"So it is; and you didn't go down in the ship, after all?"

"No; but I must tell you the story when you've had something to eat. Give your horse to this youngster, and now come on to Quilca's hut; youmust be tired. "

"I was, " replied he, "but the sight of you woke me up. I wondered ifyou'd be waiting to see the braves come home. That Quilca of yours isa born soldier. He'd make a good general if they didn't train him!"

He rattled on, and I listened, glad just to hear the sound of hisvoice, without reference to what he said. 

Quilca bade us welcome to the hut, and his womenfolk brought in thefood and drink they had prepared. 

José, as I have said, knew the Indian patois, which during the meal, heused for the benefit of our host, whose Spanish was rather halting. Hetalked of the war, and told how the Chilians had landed, and how theRoyalists were broken up and in full retreat. The campaign, he said, was as good as over, and San Martin could be President of Peru any dayhe chose. 

At that I was much astonished, for knowing the Spanish leaders, I hadexpected them to fight to the death; but it was pleasing news, all thesame, and I began to speculate on how soon we should be in Lima. 

After breakfast José had a long nap, and then I took him for a strollin the valley, where we could talk without interruption. 

I was anxious to hear about my mother, but first I told my ownstory--the rescue by the Spanish soldiers, the coming of GeneralBarejo, and the power of the silver key, as also the escape by theunderground passage, just as I have related it here. 

"Barejo's a dangerous man, " remarked José thoughtfully. "He'll spendthe last drop of blood in his body to keep this country for Spain. He's Loyalist and Royalist to the core. It's a pity, too, because heis fighting for a lost cause. "

"The more honour to him!" I answered warmly. 

"Just so, " exclaimed José, with a queer smile; "but, all the same, hemakes things more difficult for us. "

"Well, put him on one side now. Tell me your own adventures, and whereyou were when my message reached Lima. "

"On the way there. When the schooner foundered, I reckoned it was allover. I went down to a great depth, but, as luck would have it, cameup just clear of a broken mast. One of the sailors was holding to it, and I joined him, though without any hope of being saved. You know I'mpretty strong, but I was helpless in that wild sea. The waves justflung me about anyhow. The other chap lasted an hour or two, when downhe went with a scream, and I heard no more of him. But I needn't dwellon the horrors of that night; you had a strong taste of them yourself. About daybreak I was flung like a spent ball on to a sandy beach. Ihad just strength to crawl a few yards further up, and then collapsed. It seems some Indians carried me away, and nursed me back to health, but for weeks I was wild as a loon. They searched the coast, but foundnothing, and I concluded you were at the bottom of the sea. Then I gota passage to Pisco in a coasting brig, and from there made my wayoverland to Callao. "

"Where you heard I was alive?"

"Yes; I hardly know whether I stood on my head or my heels when I wastold. It was old Mr. Warren who informed me. I went to him because Idared not go to your mother. I was afraid that--"

"All right; I understand. "

"So I went to Warren, and he began a long yarn; but as soon as he saidyou were alive, I was off like a shot to Lima. "

Then he talked of my mother, repeating the messages she had given him, and I could have listened for hours. As it was, I plied him withquestions, asking this and that--if my pony was well; had he seen RosaMontilla; was my mother less sad; and a hundred other things, many ofthem trivial enough, yet full of interest to me. 

At the end I asked how he had found his way to the Hidden Valley. 

"Oh!" replied he with a jolly laugh, "that was simple. I hunted upyour black-browed bandit, who passed me on to one of his band. How hefound the way I can't tell you, but he brought me along all right. "

"And now what are we going to do?"

"Well, that depends. If the Spaniards give in, we can just go quietlyback home. "

"And if they don't?"

"Well, in that case--"

"We must join General San Martin!" I exclaimed. 

"I suppose so, " he said, half reluctantly. "You're only a boy, butthere are many youngsters of your age with the army, and you've a bigstake in the country. But we can afford to let that matter stand for aday or two longer. "

CHAPTER VI. 

WE LEAVE THE HIDDEN VALLEY

Now, before proceeding with my story, it will be well to mention here onepiece of information which José, not caring, perhaps, to add to mytroubles, did not give me. Indeed, very little was said about it at anytime, for reasons which will be clear to any one who makes himselfacquainted with this narrative. 

On the very morning after my flight from Lima, a servant of thegovernment paid my mother a visit of official importance. He broughtwith him a notable document full of curious legal phrases, which, put insimple language, meant that all my father's vast estates had beenconfiscated and given over to that loyal and worthy Spaniard Don FelipeMontilla. As an act of mercy, my mother was permitted to retain thehouse and grounds at Lima during her lifetime. 

In presenting this famous letter, the messenger was, of course, onlydoing his duty, but it is certain that in some way he failed in therespect due to a noble lady. He may have been one of those mean-spiritedpeople who delight in trampling on the fallen. There are, strange tosay, many such in the world. 

My mother never alluded to the incident, which was related to me by TomasPeraza, an old and faithful servant, next in importance to José himself. 

"The man had been with my lady nearly an hour, " said he, in describingthe event, "when her bell rang, and I went into the room. She stood inthe centre of the apartment, her cheeks very red, and her eyes flashinglike summer stars. 

"'Peraza, ' she exclaimed, 'our house has fallen very low, but even so itsmembers brook insolence from no man. Bid my servants bring stout sticksand chastise this rude fellow back to the place from which he came!'

"You may be sure that I lost no time in obeying. The fellow drew hissword even in the presence of a lady; but it was knocked from his grasp, and we drove him from the grounds with blows and buffets. It was astrange spectacle, and the people came flocking to us in crowds. Atfirst they would have interfered, but on hearing me cry, 'This forinsulting the Donna Maria Crawford!' they desisted. And in this way wepursued him right to the Government House, where he flung himself uponthe protection of the soldiers. "

It was a harsh measure, perhaps; but then no man should be wanting inrespect to a woman, and the fellow had but himself to blame. 

José, as I have said, withheld the news, or I should have gone at allrisks to Lima. As it was, I stayed contentedly in the valley, waitinguntil the Indians received the signal to move. 

From that time we heard rumours of hard fighting in various parts of thecountry, and about the middle of March 1821 a messenger arrived fromRaymon Sorillo. He brought the order for thirty men to march to Pisco, on the sea-coast, where a small patriot detachment had landed under thecommand of Colonel Miller. 

"A countryman of ours, Jack, " remarked José, "and, from what I hear, oneof the finest fellows in South America. The patriots think almost asmuch of him as they do of the famous Lord Cochrane. "

"What is he like?"

"I haven't seen him; but he is quite young--not twenty-four yet--thoughhe has been soldiering for the last eight years. He served underWellington in Spain, fought all through the Chilian War, was Cochrane'sright-hand man at the capture of Valdivia, and now he has come to helpus. He has been shipwrecked, taken prisoner, wounded times out ofnumber, blown up by a powder explosion--after which he was confined forsix weeks in a dark room and fed through a plaster mask--and nearlykilled by fever. I should say he has crowded as much excitement into hislife as any man in the world. "

"He seems to be a lively customer!"

"He is, " laughed José; "and nothing will ever kill him, in my opinion!"

"Don't you think we might join him?" I asked, my blood being fired byJosé's description. 

"Well, " said my companion, after a pause, "that's what I was about tosuggest. You must throw in somewhere, and I'm not over anxious forSorillo to get hold of you. He's a cruel fellow, though kind enough tous, and all the cut-throats in the country are likely to flock to him. I'm sorry for the Spaniards who fall into his hands!"

Quilca was rather opposed to our plans, but finding us determined, he atlast agreed that we should accompany him on the next expedition. 

Day had but just broken when we rode from the valley and I turned to takea farewell glance at the place which had been my home so long. I had notbeen altogether unhappy there, yet I was glad to go into the world again, to take the first step on the road to Lima and my mother. 

The march to Pisco passed without incident. We suffered horribly, it istrue, from thirst, and from choking, blinding sandstorms; but there wereno Spaniards in that desolate district to bar our way. 

A few hours' march from the town we fell in with some Indian scouts, andlearned from them that the Patriots lay encamped in the Chincha Baja, abeautiful valley. Our joy at these tidings was, however, soon dashed bythe report that they were in a deplorable condition--suffering from feverand ague, and unable to move. 

The gloomy picture was not overdrawn. The valley was a hospital, butalmost destitute of doctors and medicine. The sentries, selected fromthe strongest of the troops, could barely stand, staggering even underthe weight of their muskets. Privates and officers alike were prostrate, and a score of strong men could have killed them all without effort. 

As it chanced, the enemy, stationed in an adjoining valley, thoughsuffering less severely, were in no condition to make an attack, and thetwo parties could do no more than idly watch each other. 

Ordering his men to dismount, Quilca went to find an officer, and soonreturned with the startling intelligence that the colonel himself laydangerously ill in one of the huts. 

"Not an encouraging start!" I remarked. 

"A bad beginning often makes a good ending, " answered José cheerfully. "Let us go to see him. "

The doctor, a Spaniard, was attending his patient when we entered thehut, and he beckoned us toward the bed. 

I could not repress a start at the sight which met our eyes. The colonelwas turning restlessly but feebly from side to side; his eyes wereunnaturally bright; his cheek bones stood out sharp and prominent. Hemumbled to himself in short snatches, but so faintly that only a wordhere and there reached us. 

Once he smiled pleasantly, saying, "Yes, I see the steeple! Dear oldWingham!"

I did not at that time understand the allusion, but afterwards it becameplain that he referred to his home, the home of his childhood, a placecalled Wingham, in Kent. 

"Do you know, " said José sharply, turning to the doctor, "that yourpatient is dying?"

"Perfectly; but what can I do?" replied he. "He is suffering from thetertian ague; the valley is permeated with it. "

"We must get him out of it, " said José, with decision. 

"But where will you take him? the town is as bad. "

"On shipboard, and give him a sea-breeze. "

"The Chilian squadron is absent, cruising. "

"Then we must beg, borrow, or steal a trading-vessel; for go he must andshall. "

It was wonderful how the doctor brightened up at these words, and stillmore wonderful how he allowed himself to be commanded by a stranger. ButJosé was a strong man though not often exerting his strength, and therewas that in his face which made most men chary of coming to handgripswith him. 

"Come, Jack, " said he, "let us go to the bay and find a ship, if we wishto save the colonel's life. Another week of this pestilence and he willbe dead, and Peru can't afford to lose him just yet. "

"But suppose, " said I, as we rode away from the valley, "that theauthorities won't allow him to be moved?"

"Why, we'll move him in spite of them. Quilca's men can be trusted tohelp us. 'Twill be a little campaign on our own account!" said he, witha jovial laugh. 

Even José, however, could not impress a vessel that had no existence, andthe bay was empty. A few boats only lay peacefully resting on the placidwaters, but of a ship there was no sign. We stood for an hour staringseaward, as if our will could conjure up a vessel, and then returned tothe town. We paid a visit to the governor, but he could not help us. Itwas unlikely there would be a vessel, he said, until Lord Cochranereturned with the squadron from Callao. 

"When will that be?" I asked. 

The governor gave his shoulders an expressive shrug. 

"The gallant Englishman does not confide in me, " he replied. "He maycome to-day; he may not come for a twelvemonth. "

It was getting late now, and nothing further could be done till thefollowing morning. José was disappointed, but in no way disheartened. 

"If we can't get what we want, " said he, "we must be satisfied with whatwe can get. There's a fine bit of philosophy for you!"

"And what can we get?"

"A house at the seaside. We'll look for a sheltered place on the beachto-morrow, bring down some men to build a hut, and have the colonelremoved to it. With the sea air filling his lungs, he may yet have achance of recovery. "

Instead of returning to camp, we slept that night at Pisco, and after anearly breakfast went again to the beach. José had just selected anadmirable spot for the hut, when we suddenly heard a shout of "Sail ho!sail ho! There's another--and another! Why, it must be Cochrane'ssquadron!"

In an instant we were gazing seaward, and there, sure enough, roundingthe corner of the bay, were several vessels, led by a stately ship. 

By this time a number of people had assembled, and more were coming inhot haste from the town. They talked and gesticulated violently--themajority, I observed being doubtful if the incoming vessels were friendsor foes. 

As they drew nearer, however, all misgiving vanished, every one agreeingthat the leading ship was the _San Martin_, so named in honour of thegreat general. 

"The luck's with us!" cried José joyfully. "Before nightfall we'll havethe colonel on board one of those craft. How beautifully the admiral'sship is handled! she comes sweeping in like a great sea-bird. "

"Hadn't we better get a couple of men to pull us out to her? she'llanchor soon. "

"The very thing! we can't afford to lose time. "

Our arrangements did not take long to make, and we were soon speedingacross the bay, our crazy boat being propelled by two wiry Indians. Thewhole squadron was now well within the bay, the smaller craft lying closein, and flying the Chilian colours; but José directed the boatmen to pullfor the flagship. 

"_San Martin_ ahoy!" he yelled, standing up in the stern and hailing theship in what he believed to be sailor fashion. 

"Hullo! Who are you?" came the answer. 

"Is Admiral Cochrane on board?"

"Well, he was a minute ago. "

"Throw a rope, will you? we're coming up. "

This conversation was carried on in English, for many officers in theChilian navy were Englishmen; and now the man on the _San Martin_exclaimed, "Well, you're a cool customer anyhow! Walt a bit while I tellthe captain. "

"Hang the captain!" roared José; "it's a matter of life and death. " Andthose on deck, seeing how terribly in earnest he was, flung over a rope, and we scrambled up the ship's side. 

"Now, my man, " exclaimed a sharp voice, "what is it you are in such atremendous hurry about?"

"I want to see Lord Cochrane immediately, " said José. 

"His lordship is engaged in his cabin. Give your message to me. "

"I prefer to manage my own business, thank you, " replied José coolly. "Tell the admiral I have come from Colonel Miller. "

As he finished speaking, a distinguished-looking officer, accompanied byseveral others, appeared on deck, and I knew instinctively that we werein the presence of the famous Admiral Cochrane, whose marvellous exploitshad gained for him the admiration of the world. 

Hearing the name of Miller, he stopped, and looking at us, said, "What isthat about Colonel Miller?"

"He is dying, sir!" exclaimed José, as much at ease with an admiral aswith a private sailor. "His men are all down with ague, and the colonelwill be dead inside a week unless you remove him at once. "

"Mr. Welsh, " remarked the admiral to a handsome young fellow standingnear, "this is your affair. Do whatever you think best; but remember, Iwould rather lose a ship than Miller. He's the one man we can rely uponashore. " Then looking at us, he added, "You are not soldiers?"

"This lad, " replied José, pointing to me, "is Jack Crawford. His fatherwas one of the largest landowners in Peru, and a great patriot. TheSpaniards shot him some time ago, and the boy has been hiding ever since. Yesterday we arrived at Pisco to join the detachment there, asvolunteers, and found the colonel delirious with fever. A few dayslonger in camp will finish him. "

"He shall be removed at once, " exclaimed the Admiral. --"CaptainWilkinson, will you order a boat to be lowered!" and then he began toquestion José further concerning the condition of the troops. 

Very quickly the boat was got ready, Mr. Welsh took his seat, and at hissuggestion we followed, giving instructions to our own men to return toshore. 

"Are you a doctor?" asked José of our companion. 

"Yes; I am Lord Cochrane's private surgeon, though, fortunately, he givesme but little work to do, " and he laughed merrily. I have said that hewas a handsome fellow, with a boyish, fresh-coloured face, and bright, sparkling eyes. He talked to us cheerfully about the campaign, and wouldnot allow that Colonel Miller was in danger of dying. 

"You don't know him as well as we do, " he said, with a laugh. "Most menwho had been through what he has would be dead already; but Miller standsalone. The last time we brought him from Pisco he had a ball in theright arm, another had smashed his left hand, while a third had gonethrough his chest, fractured a rib, and passed out at the back. Ofcourse we gave him up, but he pulled through comfortably. "

"Well, he is pretty bad now, " said José significantly. 

"He'll be leading a bayonet charge in a month, " laughed the youngsurgeon, "if the war lasts as long. For my part, I expect it to be oversooner. "

"I had no idea, " said I, "that the Spaniards would be beaten so easily. "

"The odds are all against them, you see. Lord Cochrane has scooped uptheir navy, San Martin is waiting to pounce on Lima, they have to watchGeneral Bolivar in the north, and most of the people are in favour of therevolution. Hullo! here we are! I suppose you'll come with me to thecamp?"

"Yes, " said José, "and back to the ship if you will let us. We can do nogood here. "

"All right. I daresay we can find you a berth. "

The young surgeon came near to losing his self-possession when he saw theactual state of things. 

"Whew!" exclaimed he, "this will have to be altered. Why, the men aredying on their feet! And I suppose it's the same old story--not enoughdoctors, no proper attendants, and musty drugs. Well, we'll clear thecolonel out of it first, and then see what can be done for the others. "

While he attended to his patient, we had a litter made ready, in whichthe colonel was placed and carried to the water's edge, where the ship'sboat was in waiting. The sailors rowed steadily and well, and we soonhad the satisfaction of seeing the sick man comfortably installed in oneof the ship's cabins. 

Lord Cochrane showed the greatest concern at his old friend's shockingcondition, and did everything possible to help forward his recovery. 

As it chanced, I was much in the sick man's cabin; the doctor, to whom Ihad taken a singular liking, using me as a sort of assistant. In theearly evening he went ashore with the admiral, who also took José withhim, and together they visited the sick camp. It was late when theyreturned, but our patient had suffered no hurt during their absence. Indeed he lay very still and quiet, while from time to time I wiped thesweat from his brow and gave him cooling drinks. 

José did not come into the cabin again, but I heard from the doctor thatit had been decided to bring the soldiers on board, in the hope that asea voyage would set up their strength. Our own particular Indiansreturned to the Hidden Valley, but in the course of a day or two the restof the troops were embarked on the flagship. Then we stood out to sea, bearing southward, the other vessels of the squadron taking the oppositedirection. 

Thanks partly to the young surgeon's skill, but chiefly, perhaps, to hisown marvellous constitution, the colonel began to mend slowly. The feverabated, he was able to take some nourishing food, and at last a day camewhen we carried him on deck. 

It was extraordinary to behold the joy with which his appearance wasgreeted, not only by his own troops, but by every man on board. Some ofthem knew him only by report, but most of the sailors had witnessed hisdaring deeds, while the marines had taken part in them. 

The officers, too, from the admiral downward, came about him, and thoughtoo weak as yet for much talk, he acknowledged their kindness by acharming and fascinating smile. 

At the end of an hour the doctor gave orders that he should be carriedback to his cabin, saying with a laugh, "That's enough excitement for thefirst day, colonel. Mustn't overdo it, you know. "

Whether it was the bracing effect of the fresh sea air, or the sight ofhis men's most obvious improvement, I know not, but from that day hisstrength increased with astonishing rapidity. 

During this period of convalescence he talked with me a good deal, and inthe kindest manner, so that shortly I became as ardent a hero-worshipperas the others. He sent for José, too, thanked him for his prompt action, and declared that in a sense he was indebted to him for his life. 

"But, " said he, smiling, "I don't know yet who you are, or how you cameto turn up at Pisco just at the right moment!" Whereupon José gave himan outline of our story. 

He listened attentively, and at the end said, "I have heard of yourfather, my boy, through General San Martin, who will be glad to make youracquaintance. Meanwhile I shall charge myself with your welfare--thatis, if you care to share my fortunes. "

"I ask for nothing better, sir, " I replied, flushing with pleasure. "There is no leader I would rather choose to follow. "

"Then you shall have your wish, " said he, "unless the general finds otherwork for you. "

CHAPTER VII. 

WHOM THE GODS LOVE DIE YOUNG. 

It was, I believe, Lord Cochrane's desire to land his troops close tothe port of Arica; but two unsuccessful attempts having been made, theplan was abandoned. 

Colonel Miller, who had by this time resumed his duties, nexttransferred his men to two small schooners captured from the enemy, andhaving taken on board food and water sufficient for twenty-four hours, set sail for the Morro de Sama, a miserable port ten leagues north ofArica. 

José and I accompanied him, as did also, to my great delight, the youngdoctor. Our two vessels were crazy craft: they had only temporaryrudders, and it was impossible to steer with any degree of accuracy. Owing to this the trip occupied just double the calculated time, sothat on landing we were half dead with hunger and thirst. The soldiersstill suffered somewhat from the effects of the ague: their legstottered under them, and at first they could not march longer than halfan hour at a time without lying down to rest. 

You must not, however, suppose that we were at all downhearted on thisaccount. The men had the greatest confidence in their leader, whilethe gaiety and high spirits of the young doctor acted as a fine tonic. He was full of quips and cranks, and his merry sayings brought a smileto the faces of even the most wearied. 

A winding path three miles in length brought us to the summit of asteep mountain, where we stopped awhile to rest, and to enjoy therefreshing breeze. 

"Well, Crawford, " exclaimed the doctor cheerfully, when we once moreresumed the march, "how do you like being on active service? Apleasant change, isn't it, from being cooped up on board ship?"

At the moment I hardly agreed with him, but I made an effort to replyto his banter. 

Only to a few of us was the really desperate nature of our expeditionknown. Of the Spaniards we entertained no manner of fear; the soleterror lay in the route to be traversed. We were already parched bythirst, and more than twenty miles of sandy desert lay between us andwater. 

Nor was this all. Only one man knew the route, and years had gone bysince he had last travelled over it. If his strength or memory failed, it might well happen that the dreary desert would be our burial-placeand the loose sand our winding-sheet. It was not exactly a cheeringprospect, but we made the best of it. 

The colonel marched at the head of his men, the doctor at the rear, sothat he might assist any unfortunate stragglers, while José and I wentforward with the guide. 

With frequent halts for rest we ploughed our way through the shiftingsand, our eyes aching and our throats terribly dry. 

About midnight, as near as I could judge, the guide stoppedirresolutely. 

"What is it?" asked José, in an excited whisper; "what is wrong?"

We could not see the fellow's face, but he seemed very agitated, andthere was a break in his voice as he answered, --

"I don't know--I am not sure--but I can't be certain that we are on theright track. "

The words sounded like a sentence of death, and I could hardly repressa cry of horror. 

"Be still!" whispered José; "the men must not know. Stay here a minutewhile I ask the colonel to halt. That will give us a littlebreathing-space. "

He was soon back, and taking the guide's arm, he exclaimed, --

"Now come, get your wits about you, and let us see what can be done. Where do you think we ought to be?"

"I don't know, " replied the guide helplessly. "The saints preserve us, or we are lost!"

"Now look here, " said José sternly: "you are giving way, and that won'tdo. Pluck up your courage, man, and remember that all our lives are inyour hands. "

I think, perhaps, this awful responsibility had much to do withbreaking the guide down. He wrung his hands and groaned, saying aloudthat he had brought us to death. 

"But we aren't dead yet, " I remarked, "and needn't be if only you willcollect your wits. Come, let us cast about a bit; maybe you'll findsome landmark that will help you. "

"No, no, " he cried; "we may be right now, and if we stray away we shallcertainly be lost. May the saints preserve us!"

I think the fellow would be there yet, but for the click of José'spistol and the stern ring in his voice as he said sharply, --

"This nonsense has to stop. --Take his arm, Jack. --Now go on without aword, until you can make up your mind one way or other about the route. "

The next quarter of an hour was one of the worst in my life. The manstumbled this way and that, now going in a straight line, again turningto right or left, and all the time the troops in our rear were restingin fancied security. I shuddered to think what would happen if theguide failed to locate the track. Suddenly he ran forward quickly, dragging me with him, and then uttered a joyful cry. We were at thefoot of a sandy hillock of peculiar shape, much like, as far as I couldtell, a truncated cone. 

It was not high, but apparently of considerable circumference. 

The guide laughed and wept like a man bereft of his senses, and thencrying, "We are saved!" he straightway fell on his knees and offered upa prayer of thanksgiving. The strangely-shaped hillock showed him thatthus far he had led us correctly; and although during the night he hadseveral further twinges of alarm, he did not lose his nerve again. 

As mile after mile was traversed our thirst became excruciatinglypainful, and there was no chance of relief. Between us and the valleyof Sama no drop of water would be found. Still we plodded on, parchedand weary, until in the eastern sky the dawn rose slowly. For just abrief period we felt the cold, damp, but refreshing breath of morning, and then the hot sun added to our misery. Our heads were scorched byits burning rays, and we were almost blinded by the glare reflectedfrom the deep, loose sand. 

It was nearly nine o'clock when the guide, extending his arm, exclaimed, "Sama--water!" And looking ahead, we caught a glimpse ofthe cool green vegetation in the Sama valley. 

Under other circumstances it would have been laughable to watch theeffect produced by our near approach to the valley. What semblance oforder the colonel had kept on the march vanished. Breaking theirranks, the men rushed forward eagerly in search of the welcome water. One who for the last mile had been crawling along, supported by thedoctor, darted off like a champion runner, though he fell exhaustedbefore covering half the distance. On reaching the sparkling stream, we all, without exception, flung ourselves down by the margin, andlapped the water like thirsty dogs. 

Here we remained till the next day, being supplied with food by thepeople from Sama, who also procured for us about a dozen horses, two ofwhich, I am thankful to say, fell to José and myself. 

Most of the men, after eating and drinking, stretched themselves out onthe grass, and were fast asleep in a moment; but our leader had much todo, and the cheery young doctor spent half his time in attending on thesick. In this José helped him. I wished to do so, but in truth thelong march, and the want of food and water, had worn me out. 

"Lie down and get some rest, " said the doctor, "or you will be leftbehind to-morrow. We have another twelve leagues or so before us yet. "

"Where are we going?" I asked. 

"To a village called Tacna. "

"We call it a town, " laughed José. "Why, there are more than fourthousand people living in it. "

"Dear me, " exclaimed the doctor good-humouredly, "what a considerableplace!"

Attended by José, he passed on laughing, and I curled up in thesheltered nook which I had selected as bed and bedchamber in one. Iknow nothing of what happened after that until José, shaking my arm, told me to rise. 

It was scarcely light; but the troops were already preparing theirsimple breakfast, for they had another long and tedious march beforethem. 

"How do you feel, Jack?" asked José. 

"All right, thank you, " said I, giving myself a shake, "buttremendously hungry. I could eat a horse!"

At that he laughed, saying, "Before the campaign's over I daresay youwill be glad to eat part of one"--a prophecy that was more thanfulfilled. 

Directly after breakfast the men were assembled, the colonel addressedthem in a few stirring words, and the march began. We did notanticipate an attack, but a few sturdy and well-mounted peasants fromSama rode ahead to make sure that the route was clear. 

Outside Tacna we were met by the inhabitants, who escorted us, withmuch noise and cheering, in triumph to the town. 

"These worthy people are good patriots, Crawford, " said the doctor, whowas riding next me. "Hark how they cry 'Down with the Spaniards!' Itis lucky for them that we are not part of the Spanish army. "

"As to that, " I answered, "it is as easy to shout for one side as forthe other. It is only a matter of words, after all. "

"Well, " he laughed, "if cheers were bullets, we need not go short ofammunition. "

We remained several days in Tacna, where I had the luck to be quarteredon a wealthy Spanish merchant. It was most amusing to be in hiscompany, as he hated us like poison, and, in spite of himself, couldhardly prevent his real sentiments from popping out at inconvenienttimes. However, either from fear or from policy, he treated me well, and during our stay in the town I lived on the best of everything. This was an agreeable interlude in the making of war, and suited meadmirably. 

Like all good things, it came to an end much too soon, and verysuddenly. José, the doctor, and I had been spending an evening withone of the principal inhabitants, and on coming away met the colonel. 

"I am pleased that you keep good hours, " said he, with a smile. "Wemarch at dawn. The Spaniards are moving in three detachments tointercept us; we must crush them one by one. "

"Well, " exclaimed the doctor pleasantly, "we can't grumble; we have hada pleasant breathing-space. "

During our stay at Tacna we had received reinforcements, bringing ouradventurous party up to four hundred and fifty, of which about a thirdpart consisted of cavalry. The few days' rest had recruited ourstrength, and we set out in high spirits for Buena Vista, a tiny hamletat the foot of the Cordillera. 

As yet we had obtained no definite news of the enemy; but while we layat Buena Vista, a native scout brought word that a strong Spanish forcewas stationed at Mirabe, a village some forty miles distant. Thecolonel's resolution was instantly taken, and as soon as day broke wewere once more moving. 

After we had left the valley, our route lay across a region where noblade of grass had ever grown. As far as the eye reached, the scenewas one of utter desolation. The horses picked their steps gingerly, and the foot-soldiers stumbled along as best they could, tripping nowand then over the stones and boulders that strewed the path. All daylong, with intervals for rest, we tramped, and the coming of nightstill found us pursuing the tedious journey. 

The last part was worse than the first. For six miles the roaddescended amidst steep rocks and mighty precipices. The pass was sonarrow that we had to march in single file, each horseman on foot andleading his animal. Had the Spaniards caught us there, not a man wouldhave escaped. 

Slowly and carefully we descended in one long line, until at midnightwe reached the rugged bank of the river which rushes through the Mirabevalley. In a hollow on the opposite side lay the village, and behindthe mud walls surrounding the cultivated grounds were the Spaniards, little dreaming of our proximity. 

"Now, " exclaimed the colonel softly, "we have them in our power. Wehave but to cross the river and fall upon their camp. "

He had already begun to give his orders, when the report of apistol--fired, whether by accident or design, by one of our men--rangout, and all chance of a surprise vanished. The Spaniards, in alarm, began firing rapidly, though they could not see us, a thick woodstretching between them and the river. 

"I'd hang that fellow, " growled José. "He's either a fool or a rogue, and has completely spoiled the colonel's plans. "

"Never mind, " said the colonel cheerfully; "we must make new ones, " andhe immediately dispatched two rocket parties--one to the right, theother to the left--in order to engage the enemy's attention. 

Meanwhile each mounted man, taking up a foot-soldier behind him, crossed the river, and then returned for another, until in a short timeall had safely effected a passage. Then, unable to do more in thedarkness, we lay down to wait for the coming of dawn. 

Many of the men fell fast asleep in spite of the random firing, but mymind was busy with thoughts of the approaching fight. 

About two o'clock, Dr. Welsh, who had been assisting the regular armysurgeons, came and lay down beside me. 

"Well, Crawford, " said he, finding I was awake, "how do you like themusic? Rather alarming at first, eh? But you'll get used to it. After hearing the bullets swish round your ears a time or two you'llthink nothing of it. "

"That may be, " I replied, "but it is distinctly unpleasant just now. "

He laughed, saying the fight would be only a skirmish at the most, andnot worth considering. 

"Are you going to stay with us?" I asked. 

"Oh no, " said he; "this is only a run ashore, just to stretch my legs abit, you know. They get cramped on board ship. By George, thosefellows intend serenading us till daybreak. Who's that on the otherside of you--Craig?"

"Yes--sound asleep and snoring. I wish I were. "

"Ah, no doubt he has a clear conscience. Take pattern by him, my boy. "

"Thanks for the advice, " said I, laughing; "it's very kind of you tooffer it. "

"It costs nothing, " he answered banteringly; "which explains why somany people are willing to give it. "

After a time I fell asleep, and did not waken till, at the first streakof dawn, an order was quietly passed through the lines for every man tohold himself in readiness. 

José sat up, rubbed his eyes lazily, and declared that he could sleepanother twenty-four hours. 

"There's too much hurry and bustle about this kind of warfare, " saidhe. "Why don't both sides agree to meet at a certain place, and tofight it out?"

"A famous plan, upon my word!" cried the doctor; "it would save no endof trouble. "

"And get the business over quickly, " said José, who was saddling up. "Hullo, there goes the colonel! I wonder if he ever gets tired?"

"No, " laughed the doctor merrily; "he's made of iron. "

The dawn was broadening now; and moving from the shelter of the wood, we saw the Spaniards on a level piece of ground about half a mile wide. 

"They're trying to gain the ridge on the left, " cried José; "that willgive them the advantage. "

But the colonel had seen the manoeuvre also, and flung his small bodyof cavalry at them with such force that they drew back, trying toretreat by the winding track through the mountains. Again they wereintercepted, this time being forced to the edge of a precipitous cliff. 

"By George, " exclaimed the doctor, "they're in it now! It's neck ornothing with them. "

All this time I had quietly sat on my horse, watching the phases of thefight. The scene was to me so extraordinary that I had no sense offear. I was not upset even by the strange, wailing sounds made by therushing bullets. 

José and I were with the reserve cavalry; Welsh was at the colonel'sside. The Spaniards fought with desperate courage, I could see that, and they pushed our men hard. Fallen soldiers dotted the level tractof ground. Some, raising themselves painfully, began to crawl back. 

I make no pretence of giving an accurate description of the combat. Tome it was a confused medley of men and horses inextricably mixed; ofshining swords, of blinding red flashes; and my ears were deafened withthe fierce cries and shouts of men spending their lives recklesslyunder the rising sun. 

At last I saw the colonel raise his sword. Then he shouted somethingin Spanish, whereat, gathering up the reins in my left hand, I spurredmy horse, to keep company with the rest. 

"A firm seat, Jack; keep a firm seat!" cried a familiar voice in myear; and there was José, riding as coolly as if taking a canter overthe grounds of our park at home!

We were riding at no great pace, but all well together, when again thecolonel's voice rang out, and we broke instantly into a gallop. Thenin a flash I saw a body of Spanish cavalry drawn up to receive us, while from our left came a stinging hail of bullets. 

A man close to me dropped his sword with a cry of pain, and the nextmoment his horse, taking the bit between its teeth, rushed madly to thefront. I watched its progress with queer fascination. On it went, right through the Spaniards, who edged aside to let it pass, straightto the brink of the precipice, over which it fell, still carrying itshapless rider. It seemed to me that I heard his shriek, though thatmust have been fancy, as it could not have risen above the tumult ofthe fight. 

"Forward!" roared the colonel, waving his sword, and the next instantwe were in the midst of the throng. The young doctor was just in frontof me, José on my right hand, and the men pressing close behind. I sawnothing of the fight save that part only which concerned myself. Againand again the shining steel was within a hair's-breadth of me--now atmy head, now at my heart--while I was almost suffocated in the press. 

Inch by inch, by sheer force of steel, we threaded our way through, re-formed on the further side, and, still headed by the colonel, dashedonce more into the fray. This time the resistance was less obstinate. The Spaniards began to weary--to fall back, as if unable to hold theirground. 

"Hurrah!" cried the young doctor, "hurrah! they're done for!"

I shall not easily forget the picture he made. His handsome face wasflushed with excitement, his beautiful eyes were ablaze with light; hesat his horse erect as a young sapling. A handsomer or finer man couldnot have been. 

I saw the tragedy from beginning to end, but could do nothing toprevent it. It was over quick as a flash of summer lightning. Beforeus rode a Spanish officer, calling fiercely on his men to come back. At the sound of the doctor's triumphant note he turned, and I saw hisface black with anger. 

"Ah, Englishman!" he cried savagely; and even as he spoke his left armrose, there was a flash, a report, and the doctor fell forward on hishorse's neck. 

"See to him, Crawford!" cried the colonel huskily; and as I clutchedthe animal's bridle, the troopers swept on in hurricane fury, whilefrom all parts of the battlefield there rose a cry of triumph. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

A FRIENDLY OPPONENT. 

I had known the young English doctor only a short time, but I hadlearned to love him as a dear friend. In the fight he had shownhimself brave and fearless, but quite apart from this, his qualitiesendeared him to every one. He was always cheery and full of hope, evenin our worst straits; he was tender-hearted as a child, and every sickor wounded soldier worshipped him for his unvarying attention andkindness. 

He was not dead when, slipping from my horse, I placed my arm round himas well as I could to support him. I saw that his eyes were open, andthat a beautiful smile lit up his face. For a second or two herecognized me and tried to speak, but this was beyond his powers. Thena change came swiftly and suddenly; the light faded from his eyes, hischeeks grew ashen gray, and though quite unfamiliar with death, I knewthat his spirit had fled. 

Some wounded Indians, staggering from the fight, helped me to place thelifeless body on the ground; and these poor, simple natives filled theair with their lamentations. The death of the brilliant young surgeonhad deprived them of a good friend, and they were quick to show theirgrief. 

The fight was now over. The majority of the Spaniards were eitherkilled or captured; but no one took much pleasure in the well-earnedlittle victory. From the chief to the meanest soldier in thedetachment, every one mourned sincerely the loss of a trusty comrade. 

On active service, however, one has not much time to spend in grieving. There were the dead to be buried, the wounded to be seen to, theprisoners to be secured, and then, after a short space for food andrest, we were marching in hot pursuit of the scanty remnant that hadescaped. 

"It's lucky, " observed José, with a laugh, "that the colonel managed toprocure a few horses. "

"His command would have been one short without them, " I replied. 

We were by no means a smart-looking detachment. The officers rode onhorseback, and a number of mules had been obtained for the men, whofollowed the system of _ride and tie_. Our clothes began to show signsof hard wear, we suffered much from hunger and thirst, and most of allfrom loss of sleep. This last was really a terrible hardship, and Inoticed more than one poor fellow fall from his mule in a kind ofstupor as I rode along. 

However, by dint of pegging away, we arrived at the town of Moqueguajust in time to capture most of the runaways, and then, utterly wornout and exhausted, gladly settled down for a few days' rest. 

José and I were billeted in a house near the colonel's quarters, andthe people gave us a warm welcome. They spread a good meal, to whichwe did ample justice, and then, although barely noon, we went straightto bed. 

"I hope, " exclaimed José as he lay down, "that we shan't be disturbedfor a month. I can easily do with a month's sleep. "

"The chances are, " said I gloomily, "that the colonel will be knockingus up before we have fairly begun to dream. " At which dismal prophecyJosé threatened me with all sorts of pains and penalties unless I heldmy peace. 

As it happened, the colonel did not need us, and we actually sleptwithout waking until nine o'clock the next morning, when, having made ahearty breakfast, we went to call upon the chief. 

"Why, Crawford, " exclaimed the colonel, smiling, "I thought you werelost!"

"Only in dreams, sir, " I replied. "We've been catching up a little ofour lost sleep. We did not know how soon we might be on the marchagain. "

"So you made the most of your opportunity? Well, I don't blame you;but it is possible we shall make a long halt here. "

"Possible, " remarked José to me afterwards, "but not probable;" andevents proved that, as far as we were concerned, he was right. 

That evening the colonel invited us to dinner; but we had scarcely satdown when he was called away to speak to a messenger who had broughtimportant news. He returned looking rather thoughtful, and, catchingsight of José, exclaimed, --

"Craig, you are pretty well acquainted with the Indian dialects, Ibelieve?"

"Yes, sir, " answered José readily; "I can manage to talk with most ofthe natives. "

"Then you are the very man I want. I'll tell you all about it afterdinner. Mustn't send you off without satisfying the inner man, eh?"

José glanced at me with a smile, as much as to say, "I wasn't very farout this morning;" while I was all curiosity as to what the businessmight be. 

As soon as we had finished, the colonel and José had a very earnest andconfidential talk, after which my companion rejoined me, and togetherwe left the room. 

"What is it?" I asked anxiously; "anything of importance?"

"Rather, unless the Indian has made a mistake. La Hera is hiding witha few wounded men in the mountains, not a dozen miles away. "

This was the Spanish leader whom we had defeated at Mirabe. He was abold, dashing soldier, and a firm Loyalist, whose capture would dealthe enemy a heavy blow. 

"Get the horses ready, " said José, "while I pick out a few men. Wemustn't make a mess of this affair, or the colonel won't trust usagain. And don't mention where we are going, up at the house. Idaresay the folks are all right, but what they don't know they can'ttell. "

"Where shall I meet you?"

"Outside the colonel's quarters. Now, off with you, we've no time towaste. "

The horses had benefited by their unusually long rest, and havingsaddled them with the help of one of our host's servants, I led theminto the street. José soon appeared with a dozen mounted men, wild, fierce-looking fellows, and all natives. 

Presently the guide came out, and directly afterwards the colonel, whospoke a few words, telling us that we were bound on an importanterrand, which he trusted we should accomplish successfully. Then theguide placed himself, on foot, beside José's horse, and we moved off. 

He led us at first, purposely, in a wrong direction, in case of pryingeyes, turning back at the end of a mile or so, and then steering acrossa wild and lonely desert track. Having covered nearly a dozen miles, we came to a tiny hamlet at the foot of the mountains. Halting here, we left our horses in charge of two men and pressed forward on foot. 

Fortunately, in one way though not in another, it was a moonlightnight, and we could see where to step. All around us towered hugemountains, grim and forbidding. We marched in single file by the edgeof steep precipices, so close sometimes that we seemed to hang over theawful abyss. Further and further we penetrated into the drearyrecesses. We seemed to be a body of ghosts traversing a dreary world. No man spoke; we heard the cry neither of bird nor of animal. The onlysound to break the eerie silence was the occasional clatter of a stone, which, loosened by our passage, rolled over into the unknown depths. 

I looked neither to right nor to left, but kept my gaze fixed on José, who walked before me. The track narrowed down so that it hardlyafforded footing for one, and I prayed in my heart that we might sooncome to a better vantage-ground. 

I was no coward, and since leaving home had met with more than oneadventure, but this was the most perilous of all. Despite every effortto keep firm, my limbs trembled, my head grew dizzy; I was seized by astrong temptation to launch myself into space. The fit passed assuddenly as it had come, but I felt the sweat trickling down my face. 

Presently we emerged on to a broad platform, and José, stopping, seizedmy hand. He was trembling now, but it was at the thought of dangerpast. One by one the men stole cautiously along while we waited, watching with fascinated eyes, and drawing a deep breath of relief aseach stepped safely from the perilous path. Whether they had also feltfearful I could not tell; their faces were wonderfully impassive, and, except when roused by savage anger, quite expressionless. 

At a sign from José they dropped to the ground behind a group ofboulders, and he, addressing them in some Indian dialect, issued hisinstructions. I gathered very little from his speech; but presentlythe men disappeared, gliding like serpents along the side of thecliffs, and leaving me with José and the guide. 

"I don't much like this, Jack, " said José. "I almost wish you hadstayed behind. I hope the colonel can depend on this fellow. "

"What is it?" I asked. "I suppose we didn't come out just for thepleasure of exercising ourselves on that goat-track?"

"No, " said he; "though, to be sure, that was an uncommon diversion. The real thing is just about to begin, and this is the way of it. According to the guide, La Hera is in a cave close at hand. "

"All the more chance of trapping him. "

"I'm not so sure of that. The entrance to the cave is some sixty feetfrom the ground, in the side of a steep cliff. "

"Well, we've had some experience in mountain-climbing. "

"Yes, but not this sort. The face of the cliff is as perpendicular asthe side of a house. "

"The other fellows got up. "

"So they did, but it was in the daylight, and there was no one at thetop waiting to pop them off with a bullet. It seems the bandits havebeen in the habit of using this cave as a depot, and one of them guidedLa Hera there with the real object of betraying him. "

"Ugh!" said I; "these traitors make me sick. "

"Just so; but they are very useful. Without the help of this one, forinstance, we can't capture La Hera, unless we starve him out. "

"What does he propose to do?"

"Well, there is a stout rope fixed in the cave which he will let downat the right moment. Up this we shall have to climb by help of theniches that have been cut in the cliff. "

"Suppose La Hera finds it out, and is waiting to receive us?"

"That, " replied José, with a shrug of the shoulders, "is just what isbothering me. However, we shall soon discover. Our men have had timeto hide themselves, and the guide is getting fidgety. But I say, Jack, I wish I hadn't brought you. "

"I'm rather pleased now that you have, though I wasn't half an hourago. "

"No; I thought you breathed too hard to be enjoying yourself. "

With that he ordered the native to proceed; and we all three creptalong, keeping well in the shadow, though the enemy, feeling secure inpossession of the rope, were hardly likely to have set a watch. 

Coming to a halt, the guide pointed to a towering cliff, which, on thatface at least, was in truth steep and smooth as the wall of a house. Our men lay close at hand, but completely concealed, watching for thelowering of the rope. 

Now it seemed to me that we were running great risk when our objectmight have been gained with none at all. Why not, as José had remarkeda short time previously, starve the inmates out?

"No good, " answered he, when I asked the question. "The guide saysthere are stores in the cave sufficient to last a small party formonths. The war would be over before they had finished theirprovisions. No; we must get them by surprise or not at all. I shouldlike to see that rope dangling. "

It was weary waiting, and a great strain on our nerves too, as everymoment's delay gave us more time to appreciate the danger. The longerI pondered the more I disliked the business, and doubted what would bethe end of it. La Hera was a bold man, and if he got an inkling of thetruth, we should meet with an unpleasant reception. He might notapprove of such an unceremonious intrusion into his dwelling-place. 

I was still thinking of these things when the Indian guide drew ourattention to the cliff. The time had come. There, distinguishable inthe pale moonlight, dangled the rope, and as we watched it descendedlower and lower, very steadily, until the end of it was not higher thana man could grasp. 

It was the signal agreed upon to show that the enemy were asleep. 

Calling softly to one of his men, José said, "Stay here and watch. Ifwe are betrayed, take this man back to Colonel Miller. If he tries toescape, kill him. "

The Indian moved not a muscle, while his guard took his place besidehim with drawn sword, for no muskets had been brought on theexpedition. Then word was quietly passed round to the others, and oneby one we gathered close to the hanging rope. 

We could not communicate with the man at the top, lest we should beheard by the Spaniards, and we dared not make a sound. Holding a knifebetween his teeth, José clutched the rope firmly, planted one foot in aniche, and began to mount. When he had reached half-way up, I beganthe ascent, bidding the men be ready to follow me. 

I did not mind this part of the enterprise, dangerous though it was. The niches cut in the rock afforded decent foothold, while the rope wasknotted at intervals. The peril lay not so much in the climbing as inthe chance of discovery. If the Spaniards learned what was goingforward, nothing could save us from certain death. This was anunpleasant thought, which I hastened to put as far from me as possible. 

Meanwhile José's head was on a level with the cave, and I felt that thebest or the worst of the business would soon be known. If the enemywere awake, it would go hard with him. His foot left the last niche, he swung on the rope, and as I watched breathlessly he disappeared. 

Casting a glance downward, I called softly to the troopers to hurry, and then went up hand over hand at a breakneck pace. In a short time Iwas gazing at as strange a spectacle as I have ever seen. The cavernwas an immense apartment, with steep walls and exceedingly lofty roof. Near the centre was a fire, on which some one had hastily thrown afresh supply of dry fuel, and the red flames were leaping high in long, thin tongues. 

Just inside the entrance José and the traitorous Indian stood over thewindlass, by means of which the rope was worked, and as I ran to theirside, one of the Spanish soldiers uttered a cry of alarm. Instantlyall was tumult and confusion. Shots were fired at random, men shoutedwildly, "We are betrayed!" while, above all, José's voice rang out highand clear, "Surrender! you are my prisoners. "

With a rush the Spaniards sprang at us, fighting with the fury of wildanimals, while we had to guard not only ourselves but the rope up whichour men were swarming. If that were cut or loosened, our opponentswould hold us at their mercy. We fought against long odds, but for atime held our own, though once I was stricken almost to my knees, andfelt the graze of a sharp blade across my cheeks. 

Fortunately help came soon, or it would have gone badly with us. Witha wild shout a burly trooper sprang into the fray, and another soonjoined him. A third and a fourth followed quickly, and the issue wasplaced beyond doubt. 

Now, although our Indians made splendid soldiers, they hated theSpaniards so much that it was difficult to restrain their passions. Some excuse may be found for them in the long years of misery andoppression they had endured; but, of course, José set his face sternlyagainst cruelties. 

Thus it was in our enemies' own interest that I raised my voice, crying, "Surrender, and we will spare your lives! You cannot escape!"And José echoed my appeal. He, too, dreaded the slaughter that mustensue if our Indians got out of hand. Perhaps the Spaniards guessedour motive; at least they must have seen the futility of continuing thecontest. One by one they flung their weapons sullenly to the ground, and yielded themselves prisoners. 

"Torches!" cried José quickly, "and let us examine our capture. Whereis Colonel La Hera?"

No one spoke, but several Indians plucked blazing brands from the fireand brought them to us. By their light we saw one man lying dead nearthe windlass, and three wounded. Six others, disarmed, stood round, for the most part black-browed and scowling. 

José repeated his question. "Where is Colonel La Hera?" he asked. 

"Gone to get reinforcements to drive you into the sea, " answered a calmvoice. 

"Then he is not in this cave?" asked José bluntly, but with a certainring of admiration in his tone. 

Now all this time I had been taking particular notice of this Spaniard. His uniform showed him to be a major, though he was quite young. Hisface was frank and open; he had dark, expressive eyes, and a pleasant, musical voice, which somehow seemed familiar to me. Where had I metthis man before? In a moment or two he himself supplied the answer. 

"Who is in command here?" asked José. 

"I have the honour, and, as it seems, the misfortune also, ofcommanding these brave fellows. I am Major Santiago Mariano, in theservice of His Spanish Majesty, whom may God preserve!"

"I wish him no harm, " replied José; "only for the future he must notreckon Peru among his dominions. Now, how am I to know that La Hera isnot here?"

"Ask the man who betrayed us, " said the major scornfully; and onquestioning the Indian, it appeared he had mistaken Santiago for thefamous colonel. 

"Well, " muttered José, "it's a disappointment; but it can't be helped. What are we to do with the wounded? They can't go down the rope. "

"Let me stay with them, " I suggested, "and you can send a doctor back. "

"Meanwhile, " interrupted the major, "I have some little skill insurgery, and, with your permission, I will remain also. You need notfear that I shall run away. I will give my parole to come to Moquegua. After that, matters must shape their own course. "

"Very well, " exclaimed José; "the plan has its advantages. I'll hurryalong the first doctor I come across, Jack. But you are hurt!"

"It's only a scratch; nothing serious at all. "

José sent half a dozen of his men down the rope; then the dead Spaniardwas lowered, the prisoners followed, and José himself descended withthe remainder of the troopers. 

"Haul up the rope, Jack, " he cried in farewell, "and make sure of yourvisitors before dropping it again. "

CHAPTER IX. 

A GLEAM OF HOPE. 

As soon as the party had disappeared, I turned to the major and saidwith a smile, --

"Now, my dear Santiago, let us attend to the needs of these poorfellows. "

I was now standing full in the firelight, and he glanced at my facewith a puzzled expression. Then a half gleam of recognition shone inhis eyes, and he exclaimed doubtfully--

"Surely you can't be the boy Crawford who vanished so mysteriously fromthe fort?"

"I am, though!" said I, laughing at his amazement. "But we shall havetime for a talk presently; let us do what we can for these poor fellowsfirst. Is there any water in the cave?"

"Yes; there is a spring at the far end. I will fetch some. Put somemore wood on the fire; it smokes if allowed to go down. "

Of the three wounded men only one was seriously hurt, and he, I feared, was beyond the aid of the most skilled surgeon. However, we did ourbest for all the sufferers, gave them water to drink, arranged themcomfortably on beds of straw, and bathed and bandaged their wounds. Then I washed the cut in my cheek, and Santiago smeared it with anative ointment, which he said possessed wonderful healing properties. 

"Now, " said he, "I judge you are ready for late supper or earlybreakfast, whichever you may prefer to call it. The provisions arehomely, and I am an indifferent cook, but I can at least give youenough to eat. Those brigands of yours have stored sufficient foodhere for an army. "

Carrying a torch, I accompanied him round the cavern, gazing in wonderat the piles of Indian corn, the heaps of potatoes, and the strings ofcharqui, the last suspended from the walls. 

"Come, " said I, "there is no need to starve in the midst of plenty. What shall we have? Roast potatoes and jerked beef? The potatoes willrequire the least attention. "

"And they are not bad if you are downright hungry, as I was when wecrept in here after the affair at Mirabe. There's a smart soldierleading your men, Crawford. "

"Yes; he is an Englishman named Miller, and a very fine fellow. Buthow come you to be here?"

"We'll talk over these things presently. Meanwhile, let us cook thepotatoes. Bring another handful; I daresay two of the men will be ableto eat a little breakfast. "

"If it is breakfast!"

"It must be for us, because we had our supper before you paid us sounceremonious a visit. Of course we were betrayed. "

"Well, as to that, " I replied, "you must ask the colonel; I only actedunder orders. "

"Just so. Well, I am very pleased to see you, though I dislike the wayin which you introduced yourself. Cut this piece of beef up finelywhile I fetch some salt. "

"Have you any?" I asked, in some surprise. 

"Oh yes. Your amiable brigands know how to stock a larder. "

Two of the wounded men were able to eat, and they were very gratefulfor the food we took them. Then we returned to the fire, piled up somesacks to serve as seats, and began our meal. 

It was all most strange to me and very delightful; it might have been achapter lifted bodily from one of my favourite story-books. Thereseemed to be a piratical flavour about the whole business. 

"Perhaps it is as well that I gave my parole, " exclaimed the majorthoughtfully, taking off another potato. 

"Why?" I asked. 

"I might have felt tempted to escape, " he replied, looking at the coilof rope. 

"You forget your jailer carries a pistol, " I remarked, laughing. 

"An empty one, " he suggested, shrugging his shoulders. "No, no, myboy; my parole is your only safeguard. "

"It is a sufficient one, at any rate. "

"Yes, " said he, rather dreamily, I thought. "The honour of a Marianois sacred; my father taught me that. And yet--and yet, do you know, Crawford, " he added, in a sharper tone, "I doubt if a parole given tobrigands should be held to. "

I did not at all like this turn in the conversation, the moreespecially as my pistol was really empty. I had not dreamed of takingany precautions, trusting wholly in the Spanish officer's honour. 

I looked up at him, and felt reassured; there could be no treacheryhidden behind that frank, open countenance. 

"It seems to me you are talking nonsense, Santiago, " I said cheerfully. "A man's word is his bond in any case--that is, if he be a man. "

He took no notice of my remark, but sat musing, leaving half his fooduntouched. As for me, I helped myself to some more beef, though I mustconfess the major's wild talk nearly destroyed my appetite. His mannerhad changed so suddenly and abruptly that I knew not what to make ofit. I might perhaps have reloaded my pistol without his knowledge, butthis would be a confession that I had lost faith in him. 

"Come, " said I jocularly, pointing to his food, "you pay your cooking apoor compliment. "

To this he made no reply, but looking up after a time exclaimed, --

"I have news for you. I had almost forgotten, but I must tell youbefore going. "

"Going?" I cried; "we cannot go before the doctor arrives. "

"You cannot, but I can, and must. My mind is made up. Do not try tothwart me; I should be sorry if you got hurt. Sit still, my boy; don'tstir a finger, or I will kill you!"

I looked at him in amazement. His face was flushed, his eyes shonewildly; he spoke with a rapid and angry vehemence. 

"By St. Philip, " he cried, "I should be a cur to place honour beforeloyalty! My duty is to my king, do you hear? Shall I help a parcel ofbandits to set the king at naught? Shall I bring disgrace on a familythat has stood by the throne for untold centuries? My father died onthe battlefield with the king's banner above his head, as did hisfather before him. And I am to stay in a cage when the door is open!I am to let these upstarts trample on the king's rights!"

The words swept from his lips in a sweeping, tempestuous torrent, andwhen they were done he leaped to his feet with an angry cry. I sat inmy place looking at him steadily, but making no movement. 

"I tell you it is monstrous!" he continued. "I care nothing formyself, but I cannot desert the king!"

"His Majesty must be greatly in need of friends, " I remarked dryly, "toaccept the aid of a perjured soldier. "

It was strong language. I knew it would hurt him cruelly; but adesperate disease requires a desperate remedy. I thought at first hewould kill me. His eyes blazed fiercely, and he sprang forward withuplifted hands. Suddenly he paused, and returned abruptly to his seat. 

Thinking it best not to disturb him, I rose and made the round of thewounded men. I felt awfully sorry for the young major, and almostwished he had not passed his word to José. Having done so, he must, ofcourse, abide by it, unless he cared to live with tarnished honour. 

Presently, returning to the fire, I threw some more fuel on, and satdown again on my heap of sacks. Santiago had covered his face with hishands, and was rocking himself gently to and fro, like a child in pain. Evidently the wild fit had passed, and he had overcome the temptationwhich had tried him so sorely. 

For nearly an hour we sat there, speaking no word, then looking mestraight in the face, he said suddenly, --

"Crawford, I have acted like a madman, but there is nothing to befeared now. "

"Nor before, " I answered cheerfully. "You would not have gone ahundred yards. Come, let us now dismiss the subject. After all, itwas no more than a bad dream. "

"By St. Philip, " he exclaimed, "it was a very ugly one. However, I amin my right mind now, and as soon as we arrive at Moquegua I willwithdraw my parole. Then if a chance to escape comes, I can availmyself of it with an easy conscience. You have not reloaded yourpistol?"

"No. Why should I? there is no need of it. "

"Not now, " he said. "I am master of myself now, " and he actuallysmiled. 

"You were going to tell me some news, " I observed, after a pause. "Nowthat you have roused my curiosity, I hope you will satisfy it. "

I spoke half jestingly, and more for the sake of keeping up theconversation than in the expectation of hearing any particularinformation. It was unlikely, I considered, that Santiago could tellme anything of real interest. In this I was much mistaken, as you willfind. 

"I don't know, " said he thoughtfully, "that it will be doing you anyreal kindness, yet it is only right that you should know. Of course, you will understand that your escape occasioned some little stir amongthe garrison of the fort. "

"I am quite ready to believe it, " I replied, chuckling at theremembrance. "I have often laughed to think of your astonishment inthe morning. "

"It was no laughing matter to us, I can assure you. The commandant wasfurious, and went about vowing vengeance against everybody. Search-parties scoured the neighbourhood in all directions, but with noresult, and we at last concluded that by some means you had been takenoff by ship. "

"Quite a wrong conclusion, " I interposed. 

"We could think of no other. However, to get on with the story. Inthe midst of the confusion Barejo turned up on his way back to Lima. He was simply furious, and threatened to put us all in irons, thecommandant included; which, by the way, was absurd. "

"It was paying me a very high compliment. "

"Don't be puffed up, or imagine the general was afraid of you, " laughedSantiago. 

"Oh!" I exclaimed, affecting to feel disappointed, "that alters thecase. But why should he be angry at my escape?"

"Because he really wished to keep you out of mischief. "

"Then I have sadly misjudged him. "

"I think you have. Of course, I don't profess to understand thematter, but it seems to be something in this way. When we have crushedthis rebellion, the estates of those who have borne arms against theking will be confiscated. "

"Spoils to the victors!" I laughed; "an old-fashioned principle. "

"And, of course, " continued Santiago, not heeding the interruption, "your father's estates will be among them. Now, as far as I cangather, Barejo thought that by preventing you from joining the rebelssomething might be saved from the wreck. "

"That was very kind of the general, " I remarked. "I had no idea thathe took any interest in my affairs. But isn't it possible, major, thatyou are going a trifle too fast? Suppose, for instance, that therebels, as you call us, should win?"

The major tossed his head scornfully. 

"That is utterly impossible!" he answered, with a short, quick snap. 

"But let us suppose it, just for argument, " I urged. 

"Well in that case, " said he, "of which there is no possiblelikelihood, your father will keep his property. "

At first I thought he had forgotten, but something in his face held myattention, and brought the blood to my head with a rush. 

"Do you mean-- What is it? Tell me quickly! Is my father--"

"Alive! That is my news; but you must not build on it too greatly. Ican only tell you he was not slain that day in the mountains. He wasdangerously wounded, but was still living when the soldiers carried himaway. "

"Where did they take him?"

"That I do not know; neither, I think, does Barejo. Perhaps, and in myopinion most likely, to the forts at Callao. "

The major's news, as you may imagine, filled me with the liveliestastonishment and excitement. My father alive! I could hardly creditthe statement. What would my mother say? How would she receive thestartling information? I rose from my seat and walked about thecavern, trying to think it over coolly. 

Then it dawned upon me why Santiago had said he would not be doing meany real kindness in talking of the discovery. After all, hisinformation only reopened the old wounds. More than two years hadpassed since my father's disappearance, and many things had happened inthat time. Not every one who entered the casemates of Callao came outalive. 

"But, " said I aloud, "some one must know the truth. A man can't beshut up without authority, even in Peru. "

"I wish I could help you, " replied the major. "As soon as I escapefrom Moquegua I will make inquiries. "

"Thank you; but I fear it will be a long time to wait, " I answeredgloomily. 

"Not at all! La Hera will return in a week or two, and your Millerwill be too busy running away to look after prisoners. Imitate me, myboy, and make Hope your best friend. "

In trying to cheer me he forgot his own distress. The light returnedto his eyes, the smile to his face, and he seemed to have banished allmemory of his recent despair. 

"Come, " said he cheerfully, "put your doubts and fears aside for thepresent. Our wounded want attention; we must not neglect them. "

I tried hard to act upon his advice, but all the time continued towonder whether my father was alive or dead. That was the one questionthat racked my brain, and to it I could give no answer. 

We had just made our patients comfortable, with the exception of onewho was dying fast, when a shrill whistle sounded outside. 

"The surgeon!" I exclaimed, running to the entrance. "Yes, there he iswith the guide and two soldiers. "

"Two bandits!" said Santiago banteringly. "Give the men their propername. "

"Soldiers or bandits, they know how to fight. Help me to uncoil therope, will you?"

"That's almost as bad as asking a man to make the noose he is to hangin. You forget that on leaving here I shall go straight to prison. "

"I had forgotten, major, and sorry enough I am to remember it. Still, as La Hera returns so soon, it will be only a temporary inconvenience, and I'm sure Colonel Miller will treat you well. "

Santiago laughed. 

"You will make me fancy soon that imprisonment is a privilege worthpaying for, " he exclaimed. 

"Hardly that, " I replied; "but, as Barejo said, it keeps one out ofmischief. "

We lowered the rope, the guide attached the surgeon's instruments, andat a signal we hauled up. Then the rope went down again, the twosoldiers climbed to the cave, and the doctor followed unsteadily. Itwas evident that this novel method of visiting patients found no favourin his eyes; he was obviously nervous, and twice during the ascent Iquite expected to see him go headlong. 

He was a citizen of Moquegua, very young, and utterly unsuited for hispresent errand. So great was his agitation that when he had plantedhis feet firmly on the floor of the cave his hands still clung likegrim death to the rope. 

"You're all right now, " I said, leading him away from the mouth of thecave. "Rather a queer way of getting into a house, isn't it?"

"The saints preserve me!" he exclaimed, while his teeth chattered likecastanets, "this is horrible. A dozen times, coming up that rope, Iwished I'd never been born. But it's the last time I'll practisedoctoring outside Moquegua. "

"You did very creditably, I assure you, doctor, " observed Santiago, whose eyes gleamed with fun; "such grace, such agility, is given tofew. I should have thought your life had been spent in scalingmountains. "

The doctor looked from Santiago to me, hardly knowing what to make ofsuch flattery. 

"Faith, " exclaimed he at last, "I hope there is an easier way ofgetting down than of coming up. "

"There is, " said the major, "and much more expeditious. You have butto step outside the cave, and there you are. Most people, however, prefer to go down by the rope. "

The doctor groaned. 

"I shall never do it, " said he, "never! I shall be shut up in thisplace for the rest of my life. "

"There will be one advantage in that, " remarked Santiago pleasantly:"your patients will always be able to find you. Now I fear we musttear ourselves from your side. "

"Do your best with these poor fellows, " I said. "The one in the corneryonder will not trouble you long; the others are getting on nicely. You will find this cavern quite a comfortable dwelling-place. There isplenty of food, a spring of clear water, and enough fuel to keep a firegoing for weeks. "

"Meanwhile, " observed Santiago, "we will ask the good folks of Moqueguato make a nice long ladder, so that you can get down without trouble. "

It was really very laughable to watch the doctor's face as the majorprepared to descend. 

"He will be killed, " said he dolefully. "It is a clear case ofsuicide. Look, he has missed his foothold, and will be dashed topieces!"

"Nonsense, " I said, with a laugh; "there is no danger if you don'tthink about it. See, it is nothing but going down a flight of stepsbackwards. " But he covered his face with his hands and shuddered. 

When the major had reached the ground, I grasped the rope, saying, --

"Farewell, doctor; I hope you will have a comfortable time. And don'tworry about coming down; you'll find it an easy matter enough. "

"Good-bye, " answered he gloomily; "I shall never see you or any oneelse again. I shall die up here for certain. "

The fellow was so genuinely frightened that I assured him we woulddevise some plan to rescue him; on which he brightened up considerably, and I began the descent. I asked the guide where he had left thehorses. 

"At the village, señor, " he replied, "on the other side of themountain. "

In answer to a further question, he told us that the doctor would notcross the narrow track, and that they had, in consequence, beencompelled to travel many miles out of their way. 

"I think he was right, " exclaimed Santiago, when we reached the spot. "This is a far worse venture than climbing to the cavern by the rope. "

And indeed, seen in broad daylight, with every rock standing outpitilessly clear, and every chasm yawning wide, the place was enough todaunt the spirit of the bravest. 

Familiarity had rendered the guide indifferent to the danger, but Ifelt as nervous as when crossing the previous evening. However, Icould not make a parade of my anxiety, so I set foot on the narrow pathwith a jaunty air but quaking heart. Santiago smiled too, but I fancyhe was by no means sorry when we gained the farther side withoutaccident. Then we jested about the past danger, talking lightly and asif it were an affair of no moment. Nevertheless, I was thankful theheat of the sun provided an excuse for the perspiration that streameddown my face. 

CHAPTER X. 

A STORMY INTERVIEW. 

On our march to the town, Santiago assumed a light-hearted carelessnessthat was far from his real feelings. He laughed merrily, made jokingremarks, and behaved generally as if the prospect of a spell of prisonlife was most agreeable. This was, of course, mere outside show. Hewas too proud to let his captors see his real distress; but his actingdid not deceive me. 

We had reached the market-place, and I was wondering at the absence ofthe soldiers, when José suddenly appeared, coming from the governor'shouse. On seeing us, he approached, saying, "You have been a longtime. I began to think you had missed your way. "

"The guide was late in the first place, as the doctor would not takethe nearest way, and we did not hurry. But where are the troops?"

"Off again!" said he, his eyes twinkling: "the colonel has gone for alittle jaunt of ninety miles or so to intercept a Spanish column. Thank goodness, we have missed that!--How did you leave your men, major?"

"One is dying, I fear, " replied Santiago; "but the others will soon beall right, unless your doctor kills them!"

"I was sorry to send him, " said José, "but I had no choice. He was theonly one in the place available. He didn't offer his services, I canassure you. "

"I can well believe it, " laughed the major. "The poor fellow was halfdead with fright when he reached us, and vows he will never risk thedanger of getting down again. "

"We must have him tied to the rope, and lowered like a sack ofpotatoes. Meanwhile, what is to be done with you?"

"The only suggestion I can make is that you set me free!"

"Perhaps I had better report to the governor, " observed Joséthoughtfully. "He is Colonel Miller's representative. I daresay hewill parole you till the chief comes. "

"No, no!" cried the major hastily; "I've done with paroles! From thismoment I consider myself free to escape. "

"To _try_, " corrected José. "Well, the effort will fill up your time, and keep you from being idle. Of course, " he added, "it will changethe position a little. We can still remain on friendly terms, only Imust not forget to load my pistol. And now let us interview thegovernor. "

A sentry stood at the outside gate, and several soldiers were in thecourtyard; but passing through, we entered the house, and foundourselves in the governor's presence. He was a military-looking man, though holding no rank in the army--a Spaniard who had recently comeover from the enemy. Two or three officers were in the room, and ayoung man sat at a table, writing. 

José told his story briefly, concluding with a proposal that theprisoner should be left in his charge until Colonel Miller's return. 

"There is a more agreeable way still, " observed the governor, with abland smile. --"Major Mariano, I am not unaware either of your name oryour services. I know you for a dashing and brilliant officer, far andaway superior to those nominally above you. I am not without the powerto make you an offer. The Spanish cause is lost; in a few months yourarmies will be crushed; Peru will be independent. Until that time youwill languish miserably in prison. Afterwards I cannot pretend toprophesy your fate; but I offer you an opportunity to escape from thewreck. Join the Patriot army, and I pledge my word that San Martinshall give you the rank of colonel at once. In a year it will be yourown fault if you are not a general. Come, what do you say?"

Only a few hours previously I had seen an outburst of temper onSantiago's part; now I beheld another, which by comparison made thefirst appear mild. His eyes literally blazed with anger; his face wasred; he actually quivered with passion. Twice he endeavoured to speak, and the words choked in his throat. José laid a hand restrainingly onhis shoulder; he flung it off passionately. 

"Dog of a traitor!" cried he at last, "do you think the blood ofSantiago Mariano is as base as yours? Do you imagine I am a rat likeyou to leave a sinking ship? What! lend my sword to a parcel ofbeggarly cutthroats and vagabonds? I would rather eat out my heart inthe blackest dungeon of Peru!"

Once a flush of shame overspread the governor's face, but he recoveredhimself promptly, and listened with a bitter smile till the end. 

"You shall eat your words if not your heart, " he exclaimed brutally;and turning to an officer, he added, "Rincona, bring in your men andthe heaviest irons that can be found in the prison. "

Santiago smiled scornfully; but José, pushing forward, said quietly, "You cannot do that, señor. This man is my prisoner, for whom I amresponsible to Colonel Miller alone. Until the return of the colonel, therefore, I cannot let him go from my keeping. "

For a moment Rincona hesitated, but at the governor's second command heleft the room, while the other officers clustered round their chief. 

José produced a pistol and cocked it, saying coolly, "The man who layshands on my prisoner dies. "

Santiago turned to him with a pleasant smile. "Thanks, my friend, " hesaid, "but I cannot let you suffer on my behalf. Besides, there isCrawford to be considered. The consequences may be fatal to him, as heis sure to stand by you. "

"Don't hesitate on my account, José, " said I. But the major's wordshad made an impression, and a shadow of annoyance flitted across mycompanion's brow. 

However, there was little time for thinking. We heard the tramp, trampof marching feet, and presently Rincona entered, followed by about adozen soldiers. 

"The irons!" roared the governor, beside himself with passion; "whereare the irons?"

"I have sent for them, sir, " replied Rincona. 

"You might have spared yourself the trouble, " remarked José; "theyshall not be put on. "

"Yes, yes!" exclaimed Santiago; "what does it matter? Better so thanthat you two should lose your lives. "

I looked at José. His lips were set like a vice, and I knew that nopower on earth could move him now. The situation was decidedlyunpleasant, and unfortunately there seemed to be no way out. True, hemight kill the governor, but that would only still further complicatematters. 

The soldiers, as usual, stood with impassive faces; the affair was noneof theirs, save so far as obeying orders went. The officers wererestless and uneasy, and one of them kept up a whispered conversationwith the governor, who listened impatiently, and from time to timeshook his head. 

At last two other men arrived, bearing a set of heavy irons, and onceagain Santiago turned appealingly, but without effect, to José. 

One might have heard a pin drop when the governor, sheltering behindhis officers, cried in a loud voice, "Put that man in irons!"

"Stand still!" said José, raising his pistol, and speaking in theIndian dialect. 

How the dispute would have ended I cannot tell, but at that moment ahappy inspiration flashed into my mind. The soldiers were all Indians, and judging by their appearance, Indians of the mountains. Was itpossible that any of them acknowledged the authority of the Silver Key?If so, we were safe. It was a poor chance, but there seemed to be noother. 

Trembling with impatience, I opened my shirt at the neck, and drewforth the brigand chief's gift. At first no one took any notice; butwhen I held the key to view, the Indians raised a shout of mingled joyand surprise. Then I looked at Santiago and laughed, saying, "We aresafe!"

The Indians jabbered away in their own language, talking with oneanother, and pointing to the emblem of authority which hung from myneck. The governor stood like a man in a dream; the officers gazedalternately at me and the native soldiers, as if doubting the evidenceof their senses. 

"How many of you are followers of the Silver Key, and of RaymonSorillo?" I asked. 

"All, all, master!" they cried. 

"And those outside?"

"All, all!" they again shouted. 

"I can trust you to help me?"

"To the death, master!" they cried with one voice. 

At that I turned to the governor, saying with a smile, "The position ischanged, señor. I have but to raise my hand, and you will feel theweight of your own irons. But there is no need to quarrel. ColonelMiller will be here in a few days, and he shall decide between us. Meanwhile we will guard the prisoner. "

The governor nearly choked with anger, and threatened violently that assoon as the colonel returned he would have us all shot. However, as itwas evident that the soldiers would obey my orders, he raised nofurther objection to our taking Santiago away. 

"By St. Philip, " exclaimed the major, "the room was hot! Are you amagician, Crawford?"

"Upon my word I begin to think so. At any rate, I possess a magicalkey. "

"Which has saved our lives, " observed José grimly. 

"And I suspect, " laughed Santiago, "that once upon a time it unlockedthe door of a prison cell! But won't those natives suffer for this?"

"I don't think so. They are too strong, and their chief has more powerin Peru than the viceroy and San Martin combined. "

"You know him, then?"

"Yes, and so does José. He has done me good service, for which I amgrateful, though I could never like the man. But here we are at thehouse. The good folk will wonder at our bringing an uninvited guest. "

Fortunately a room had been set apart for us, so we could talk at ourease. I was burning to tell José about my father, but first of all wehad to come to an understanding with Santiago. This time he made nodemur at giving his parole. "In fact, " said he gaily, "you have forcedmy hand, and I have no choice. "

"So much the better, " remarked José; "we may as well be comfortabletogether till the colonel arrives. "

"And after that we may be hanged comfortably together!" laughed themajor. "How do you like the prospect?"

"I can trust Miller. He is an honourable man, and will do what isright. It is Crawford who will suffer for inciting the troops tomutiny. "

"José, " said I presently, "I haven't told you that Major Mariano is anold friend of mine. "

"And at one time his jailer, " interrupted Santiago. "That ought tomake him feel grateful. "

"Oh, " exclaimed José, "you are the captain Jack has often talked about!Well, I'm glad we have been able to do a little for you. "

"This morning while we were waiting for your precious doctor, " Icontinued, "he told me a very startling piece of news. "

"Yes?" said José. 

"About my father. "

José sprang to his feet, demanding fiercely, "What do you know of SeñorCrawford, major? Don Eduardo came to his end by foul means: he was notslain by the government, but by some one who hoped to profit by hisdeath. "

"According to the major's information, he was not slain at all, " Isaid, and proceeded to relate the story. 

José listened attentively to every word, and then asked Santiagoinnumerable questions. Like myself, he displayed great excitement, butI judged from his expression that he entertained little hope of myfather being still alive. 

"The truth is, " said he, "Don Eduardo had made numerous powerfulenemies both in public and private life; and as we all know, any stickis good enough to beat a dog with. Besides, he owned vast estates, and--"

"Go on!" laughed Santiago as José hesitated; "the king's party put himto death in order to seize them!"

"No, no, " said José hotly; "I don't tar all Spaniards with the samebrush. Still, they aren't all saints either, and I say some of themkilled him under cloak of the government. And some day, " he added, "Iwill prove it. As to his being alive, I think there is small chance ofit. --And Jack, my boy, I would not mention the matter to your mother. "

"But, " said I, clinging to my shred of hope, "he was not killed in themountains, and we have heard nothing since. "

José let me talk, and listened kindly to my arguments, but I noticedthat none of them made any impression. At the best, he said, my fatherhad been thrown into prison seriously hurt, and it was not likely thathe had survived the confinement. 

"Have you ever seen the casemates at Callao, major?" he asked. 

"Yes, " said Santiago, "and very unhealthy places they are. But thereare more prisons than those in Peru. "

It would be wearisome to repeat our conversation, for, after all, wewere arguing in the dark, having only the major's imperfect story to goby. Besides, as José said, many events had happened during the lasttwo years, and my father was by no means the only noted man in Peru todisappear. So our talk travelled in a circle, leaving off at thestarting-point, and for sole effect it extinguished the gleam of hopewhich the major's story had kindled. 

In the evening, at José's suggestion, I went into the streets to pickup any information concerning the governor's doings. Everything seemedquiet; the sentries were at their posts as usual, while the soldiersoff duty wandered about the town. 

They greeted me respectfully, raising their hands in salute andstanding at attention, as if I had been an officer of high degree. Recognizing a sergeant who had been in the governor's room, I stoppedto ask a few questions. Greatly to my relief, I learned that, with theexception of a few Spanish officers, the troops in the town were allIndians from the mountains. 

As the man seemed smart and intelligent, I told him how matters stood, and that we depended entirely upon him and his comrades until thecoming of the English colonel. 

"You can trust us, master, " he replied, and indeed his talk made itquite clear that the friend of Raymon Sorillo and the holder of theSilver Key might rely on the Indians in Moquegua even against Millerhimself. 

José, I think, felt rather relieved on hearing my news; while Santiagolaughed heartily, prophesying that, if the Spaniards were defeated, Ishould in a few years be king, or at least president, of Peru. 

"I had no idea, " said he, "that you were so important a person. Nowonder Barejo wished to keep you shut up!"

That night we took it in turns to watch; but the governor attemptednothing against us, and the next day we walked openly in the streetwithout molestation. 

Colonel Miller had vanished into space, and for nearly a week we heardnothing of him; then one morning an Indian scout rode wearily into thetown with the news that the Englishman was close at hand. Immediatelythe people rushed out in hundreds to line the street, and to cheer thereturning warriors. 

José stayed indoors with the major, but sent me out to get an earlyword with our leader. Bright, alert, and cheery as ever, he rode atthe head of his troops, smiling and bowing to the inhabitants as theygreeted him with rousing cheers. Then came the soldiers--the cavalryon dead-tired horses, the infantry on jaded mules--with a number ofprisoners in the midst. 

The animals were tired enough; but the men! I can hardly describetheir condition. Their faces were haggard, their eyes heavy andbloodshot; some were nearly asleep, others had scarcely strength to situpright. Very little grass had grown under their feet. As soon asthey were dismissed, the citizens pounced on them, taking them into thehouses, where food and drink were provided in abundance. 

The governor had come out to meet the colonel, whom I expected to seereturn with him; but at the last moment he turned aside, and with alaughing exclamation went straight to his own quarters, whither Ifollowed him. 

"Hullo, Crawford!" cried he. "So you didn't get La Hera?"

"No, sir; but we captured a major, and I wish to speak to you abouthim. "

"Won't it wait?" he asked, with a comical expression. 

"I am afraid not, sir. The truth is, we've had a quarrel with thegovernor, and--"

"You want to get in your version first! A very good plan. Well, fireaway, but don't make it long; I've a lot of things on hand. "

By this time we had entered his room, and going straight to the heartof the affair, I told my story in the fewest possible words. Thecolonel listened with rather a grave face, and when I had finished hesaid, "It's an awkward mess, especially just now. It's absolutelynecessary to keep friends with the governor, and I don't like thistampering with the troops. But, of course, I won't have the prisonerput in irons or treated differently from the rest. Bring him here now, and I'll settle the matter at once. "

"Yes, sir, " said I, thankful to get off so lightly. 

The colonel had already begun some fresh work when I returned with Joséand the major, but he rose from his seat and saluted the Spaniardcourteously. 

"I understand it is useless to ask for your parole, major, " he said. "Your mind is quite made up on the point?"

"Yes, sir, " answered Santiago, smiling in his easy, graceful way. "Anopportunity to escape may not arise but if it does, I shall certainlyseize it. "

"Quite right!" exclaimed the colonel; "but I fear you will bedisappointed. However, though guarding you rigidly, we shall put youto as little inconvenience as possible. You will find half a dozencompanions in misfortune in the prison. Most of the captured rank andfile have joined the Patriots. "

The major's lip curled scornfully, but he only said, "I am obliged toyou, colonel, for your kindness. Some day perhaps I may be able toreturn it. "

"Not in the same way, I hope, " laughed Colonel Miller. "I have had ataste of Spanish prison life already, major. But when the war is overI trust we may meet again. "

Then he sent for an officer and a file of soldiers, and Santiago turnedto bid us a cheery farewell. 

"Good-bye, " said he brightly; "I have had a pleasant time with you. --IfI do succeed in escaping, Crawford, I will inquire further into yourfather's story. --Ah, here is my escort!" and with a salute to thecolonel and a nod to us, he took his place in front of the men, whilethe officer received his chief's instructions. 

"He's a plucky fellow. I should have liked to set him free, " I said, as we strolled back to our quarters. 

"To do more mischief!" growled José. "I'm sorry for him, in a way, butit's better for us that he should be under lock and key. And thatreminds me! How did Colonel Miller take the Silver Key business?"

"Very badly; called it tampering with the troops. "

"So it was, but it saved our lives, all the same. I shall be ratherpleased when we leave this district; the governor won't regard eitherof us too favourably. "

"He can't hurt us now the colonel is here. "

"No, " replied José, with a curious smile "but we might meet with anasty accident. Perhaps you remember my remark, made two years ago, that accidents are common in Peru. It's as true now as then. "

As it chanced, José was shortly to have his wish; for although we didnot know it then, the colonel had decided to abandon Moquegua. Many ofthe troops were down with the ague, the place was a difficult one todefend, unless against a weak attack, and La Hera was already on themarch with a force far superior to ours. This, however, we did notlearn till two days later. 

CHAPTER XI. 

A NARROW ESCAPE. 

"It is a great honour, " exclaimed José, "and you should feel proud. "

I had just returned from an interview with the colonel, who had askedme to undertake for a short time the duties of his private secretary. It seemed a simple task then, but afterwards I regarded it differently. For the next three weeks I was attached to the colonel, who took mewith him everywhere. A secretary is generally supposed to write, butmy work consisted in riding. Day after day, from morning till night, we were on horseback, now travelling over sandy deserts to theseashore, again penetrating into the heart of the mountains--hungry, thirsty, and tired, and always in danger of falling into the hands ofthe enemy. 

As a measure of precaution our little force retired to Tacna, where, much to my satisfaction, the colonel received from Lima news of anarmistice. This, of course, extended to all parts of the country; butI was mistaken in thinking it would increase my leisure, as my time wasstill kept fully occupied. 

In one way this was a good thing, as it kept me from brooding overSantiago's story, though even at the busiest times the thought of myfather's fate would creep into my mind. I saw nothing of José, who hadbeen left behind with some Indians to hold a mountain pass, butoccasionally I paid a brief visit to the Spanish prisoners for a chatwith the friendly major. 

We had been at Tacna a month, when one evening Colonel Miller saidabruptly: "Crawford, the armistice is at an end, and we must retreat. Tell Videla to send the stores and the sick to Arica the first thing inthe morning; then carry this order to Ilo. You will find three smallbrigs there; they are to sail at once for Arica. Take Castro the guidewith you, and rejoin me on the march to Arica. "

"Very good, sir, " I replied, though my words belied my feelings. However, I went out, gave Videla the colonel's message, and hunted upthe guide. 

Castro was an educated Indian, trained by one of the missionaries, anda very decent fellow. I found him sound asleep; but he rose at once, looked to see if his bag of coca was full, loaded his pistols, andsaddled his horse. 

"A pleasant night for a ride, lieutenant, "--the colonel had given methat rank, --"and every yard will take us further from the Spaniards. Ihear that La Hera is getting ready to swoop. "

"He will find his pigeon a hawk if he comes too close, " I answered, laughing. "Bring your horse, and wait for me at the hospital. "

The night was still young, and many people, civilians and military, were in the street, talking in excited whispers. It was plain thatthey had heard of La Hera's approach, and were discussing what theyknew of the colonel's plans. 

Soon, however, the town was left behind, and we had fairly started onour journey. There was no danger in it, except that of getting lost, which, with Castro for a guide, was not likely to happen. He knew thedistrict as well as, perhaps better than, I knew the streets of Lima. 

We jogged along quietly till midnight, not wishing to tire the animals, and then stopped near the edge of a sandy desert for an hour's rest. By this time I had begun to hate the very sight of sand; it seemed tome more dreary and pitiless than the stoniest of barren ground. Castrodid not mind in the least, but lay on his back looking at the starrysky and placidly chewing his coca. 

"Come, lieutenant, " said he briskly at the end of an hour, "it is timeto mount;" and we were soon plodding on as patiently as before. 

It was nine o'clock when we finally arrived at Ilo. It may have beenowing to my own tired state, but I thought I had never seen such amiserable and desolate spot in all my life. The houses were wretchedmud-built hovels, and the few people in the place looked woebegonebeyond belief. 

The three brigs were in keeping with the village, being old andworm-eaten, and the craziest craft imaginable. I would not have sailedone across a pond. However, I sought out the commander of this raggedsquadron, and gave him the colonel's order. 

On reading it his face brightened, and he declared his intention ofrunning out to sea that very afternoon. 

"He doesn't look much of a hero, " observed Castro; "but, " with anexpressive glance at the three floating coffins, "I imagine there arefew braver men in Peru. "

"One need not be brave to seize any chance of getting away from thisdepressing place, " said I. "I believe I could easily take the risk ofbeing drowned if there were no other way of escape. "

"You will have the risk, lieutenant, if we are to go afloat in thesebrigs; but my opinion is that the bottoms will drop out of them beforethey reach Arica. "

"In that case we must either beat La Hera or be annihilated. "

"That's what it looks like, " replied Castro coolly. 

We stabled our horses in a tumble-down shed, fed and watered them, and, as it was impossible to leave till they were rested, lay down to snatcha brief sleep on the ground. We were invited to use the floor of ahovel for a couch, but after glancing at it, declined with greatpoliteness and many sonorous words of thanks. 

When we awoke the brigs had disappeared, and a roaring wind wassweeping down from the north. 

"They'll never make headway against that, " remarked Castro. "We canreturn to the colonel and tell him his brigs are at the bottom of thesea. There will be a pretty tune played presently, and La Hera willprovide the music. "

To a sailor, perhaps, the danger would not have seemed formidable; butstanding on that desolate beach, listening to the hurricane rush of thewind, I could not but think Castro was right. And if indeed he hadprophesied truly, then was our little force in sad straits. Burdenedwith sick, hampered by fleeing patriots, encumbered by prisoners, withhalf his troops weakened as usual by ague, the English colonel couldneither fight nor flee. What, then, could he do? By this time everyone knew him too well to dream he would surrender. 

"Castro, " said I, "we carry bad news, and bad news flies apace. Let uskeep up the reputation of the old proverb. Half an hour or so may makeall the difference in the world. "

He made a grimace as if to say that a few minutes more or less wouldmatter little; but he saddled his horse promptly, nevertheless, and wasready to start as soon as I. 

"I reckon, " he said, "that we may strike the road from Tacna to Aricaby midnight to-morrow, unless our animals founder by the way. Can youtrust your horse?"

"The colonel selected him. "

"That ought to be sufficient warrant. The chief knows a horse, thoughhe will ride in the absurd English style. "

There were few men in the country who would have cared to cutthemselves adrift as Castro did on this ride of ours to intercept themarching Patriots. His only guides were those he could interpret fromnature. While daylight lasted, he steered by the sun; at night, by thestars and the faint wind that fanned our faces. 

For twenty-four hours, during which time we rested, of course, both forour own sakes and for the sakes of our animals, not one human beingcrossed our path, or even came within sight of us. And during thattime, also, we saw neither bird nor beast, nor any manner of livingthing, save only ourselves and our animals. 

And then, quite unexpectedly to me, we came upon an oasis in the drearydesert--a little hamlet with mud-walled hovels, but better than thoseat Ilo, and having patches of cultivated ground enclosed. The nativeshad reclaimed this piece of land by means of the waters of amoderate-sized stream, and lived in almost as great isolation as ifthey had been on Robinson Crusoe's island. 

They were neither Patriots nor Royalists, and I doubt much whether theyknew of the struggle going forward; but they had kind hearts, and gaveus a warm welcome, pressing upon us gifts of fruits and vegetables tothe limits of their scanty stock. They found ample forage, too, forthe weary animals, and we stayed there a matter of three hours to restCastro's horse, which had shown symptoms of breaking down. 

I seized this opportunity to snatch an hour's sleep; but my guide waskept chattering by the natives, who listened with amazement to hisnews. They knew no Spanish, and could not understand the native patoisI spoke; neither could I understand a word of what they said. As forCastro, I suppose no man in South America had the gift of so manyIndian dialects. 

"After all, lieutenant, " exclaimed he, as we took leave of this simplecommunity, "I doubt if these people have not the best of life. Theyeat, drink, and are at peace, caring no more for a president than for aking. "

"And doing nothing for either, " I replied, laughing. "How does thehorse seem now?"

"I think he will do this journey. But if I'm to ride with the colonel, he will have to provide me with another. "

Throughout the evening we rode silently side by side, while all aroundus was the awful stillness of a dead world. The sun went down, andpresently the stars gleamed above us, throwing a ghostly light over thesea of sand. 

Midnight found us still riding, and another hour passed before Castrodrew rein at the broken track leading from Tacna to Arica. Throwingthe reins over his horse's neck, and jumping down, he examined theground carefully, reading it as skilfully as the student reads aprinted book. 

To and fro he went, casting off here and there like a hunting-dog, tillhe was satisfied. Then he returned to me, saying, "Carts have gone byhours since, and the infantry quite recently, but I see no signs ofcavalry. "

"They would remain till the last minute, so as to deceive La Hera. "

"That is so; but the question is, has the colonel stayed with them? Itis to him we want to give our information. "

"The infantry can tell us. "

"We shall waste time if he is in the rear, and time is precious. "

"Let us separate. You go forward; I will ride toward Tacna. "

"It is dangerous, señor. "

"You forget that I have been over this route. "

"Well, as you will. If the colonel has not passed, I shall return. Keep to the track; do not wander from it either to right or to left. "

"All right, Castro; I will take care. "

He vaulted to the saddle, wished me a safe journey, and rode off, whileI turned my horse's head in the opposite direction. Fortunately thenight was clear, while the dawn was not far off, so that I had a greatadvantage in steering my way. True, I rode at no great pace, beingboth afraid and unwilling to spur my jaded beast. Now and again I evendismounted and walked at his head to give him some relief. 

It was perhaps about three o'clock in the morning. A heavy fog hadarisen, and I was riding with the greatest care, when suddenly I founda musket pointed straight at me, and heard the demand, "Halt, or Ifire!"

The man spoke in Spanish, but his accent showed him to be an Indian, and I hoped he was one of Miller's cavalry detachment. Whistlingsoftly, he was at once joined by a second and a third man, the last ofwhom sharply ordered me to dismount. 

At the sound of his voice I laughed aloud, saying, "You post your menwell, José, but they have not made a great capture this time. Is thecolonel here?"

"We are all here, " said José, giving my hand a grip; "but I thought youhad gone to Arica. Is anything wrong?"

"A good deal, " I answered, speaking in English, so that the Indiansmight not understand. "I must see Colonel Miller at once. "

"Jump down, then. Leave your horse here, and I will take you to him. Mind where you step; the men are all tucked in and sound asleep. "

But for the fog, I could by this time have seen my way clearly; as itwas, I could only just distinguish the ponchos enveloping the men'sheads. When the fog lifted, the light showed a more curious spectaclethan most of you have perhaps ever seen. It was the custom, wheneverwe halted in a sandy desert, for each man to scoop out for himself ashallow grave. In this he lay, scraping the loose sand over his bodyfor bed-clothes, and leaving his head, wrapped in his poncho, aboveground. It was, indeed, a most comfortable and delicious bed, as inthose days, or rather nights, I often proved. 

The colonel lay buried alive, as it were, like his men; but he sleptlightly, and pushing off his sandy bed-clothes at our approach, hestruggled to his feet. 

[Illustration: Pushing off his sandy bed-clothes at our approach, hestruggled to his feet. ]

"Who is it?" he asked. "Crawford, where is your guide?"

"Gone another way to look for you, colonel. "

"Have the brigs left Ilo?"

"Yes; but both Castro and I doubt if they will reach Arica. They arealtogether crazy, and as soon as they left the harbour a strong galefrom the north, which will drive them out of their course, sprang up. "

"You are rather a Job's comforter, " laughed the colonel. "I daresaythey will arrive all right. Still, " he continued, speaking more tohimself, "everything depends upon their safe arrival--everything! Jumpin, Crawford, and have a nap; I may want you presently. "

He went away with José, while I got into his bed, pulled the sand overme, and was fast asleep before the two men had gone a dozen yards. 

For two whole hours I lay like a log; then a soldier pulled the ponchofrom my head, saying that the colonel waited for me at breakfast. Irose quickly, made my toilet--not an elaborate proceeding, you may besure--and waited on the colonel. 

"Sit down, " said he, laughing; "it's early in the day for banqueting, but we must feast when we can. I hope you are not blessed with toogood an appetite?"

"I don't think I should feel greatly tempted to indulge much atpresent, " I replied, with a grimace at the dried meat I was cutting. "Indigestion would only too surely follow. "

"Then, " said he, and his eyes twinkled with merriment, "we will eatsparingly. I am going straight to Arica, and you will ride with me. "

"I am afraid I shall have to get you to find me a fresh horse, as myown has broken down, colonel. "

Turning to one of the soldiers near, he said, "Ask Major Videla to sendme a good horse at once. --Take your time, Crawford; I am awaiting amessenger from Tacna. "

Nearly an hour passed before he was ready, during which time I saddledmy fresh mount, transferred my holsters, and had a chat with José. Hetold me they had been compelled to release their prisoners, Santiagoamong them. 

"I had no idea you were so hard pressed, " I said. 

"If La Hera doesn't blunder, " answered José, "he can sweep us all intohis net. The only thing that saves us now is Miller's skill andreputation. Every one believes he is going to show fight somewherebetween this and the coast. "

Presently the colonel came along, accompanied by Major Videla, to whomhe gave final directions; and then, bidding me follow, rode from thecamp. Four miles out we came upon Castro, walking, and leading hishorse, which had fallen dead lame. 

"Have you been into Arica?" asked Miller. 

"No, colonel; but I have learned some news. There are four finevessels in the roadstead; if you could get them, the troops would besafe. "

"Ah!" cried the colonel sharply; and telling Castro to wait for thecavalry, he rode off at a great pace towards Arica. At four o'clock westaggered into the town, and were instantly met by the governor with asorrowful tale. He had secured the use of three vessels, but thecommander of the fourth absolutely refused to be either coaxed orthreatened into lending his assistance. 

There was not a moment to be lost, and Colonel Miller, with no otherattendant than myself, ran down to the beach. There we got on a balsa, or raft, which carried us to a launch, whose crew at once took usalongside a fine North American schooner. 

Clambering on deck, we found the master, to whom the colonel appliedfor the loan of his vessel. The sour old sea-dog turned a deaf ear. The colonel offered a sum of money that would have bought the schooneroutright at market value; he would have none of it. 

Now, it chanced that some of the crew were Englishmen who had servedunder Miller in the Chilian War; and though I did not know that, Icould plainly see how interested they were in the discussion. Thecolonel saw it too, and in a few simple but terse and vigorous words helaid the case before them. 

This produced a marked effect. The men growled their approbation, andone sturdy fellow exclaimed stoutly, "I'm not going to see a countrymanof mine hard pushed without helping him. What's your sentiments, mates?"

"The same!" cried they. --"We'll stand by you, colonel. The Spaniardsshan't cut you off if we can help it. "

"Thanks, men, " replied Colonel Miller, "and I'll treat you fairly. Neither your master nor you shall have cause to complain. "

The skipper, however, was not to be appeased. He threw up his commandand went ashore with us, leaving the mate to navigate the vessel. Itwas rather a high-handed proceeding, perhaps, on the colonel's part, but he was saving his troops from an unavailing fight againstoverwhelming odds. 

All that night we worked like slaves. The launches could not comeclose inshore, so that every one and everything had to be transportedto them on balsas. The colonel did not spare himself, and my positionprocured me the honour of standing beside him knee-deep in surf whilehe superintended the embarkation. 

Most of the sick were got on board one or other of the four vessels, but the worst cases had to remain in hospital. Then nearly a hundredpeople of the town, who had recently joined the Patriot cause, clamoured for protection, which was, of course, afforded. 

In the morning the colonel insisted I should take a rest, but the workcontinued all day, while from time to time scouts came in with the newsthat La Hera was advancing at full speed. At length it was all done;only the colonel and I remained to go on board, and we had just reachedthe launch, when, with a yell and thunder of hoofs, the Royalistcavalry galloped down to the beach. 

"Just too late to take their passage, " laughed Miller. "What a pity!"

"There's our late prisoner, " I cried, standing up in the launch. "Lookat the rascal; he is shaking his sword at us, and laughing. "

"He's a fine fellow, " remarked the colonel. "I don't grudge him hisliberty. "

Taking off my cap, I waved it vigorously; to which Santiago repliedwith a salute; and then, as pursuit was impossible, he led his men backinto the town. 

CHAPTER XII. 

A STERN PURSUIT. 

As soon as our vessels left the shelter of the bay, they felt the fullforce of the gale; and but for skilful handling on the part of theircrews, would most likely have come to grief. Even as it was, the moretimid of the passengers began to think they would have done better intrusting to the mercy of the victorious Spaniards. 

"It is lucky for us, lieutenant, " exclaimed Castro, "that the brigs didnot reach Arica. "

"I hope they are safe, " I said doubtfully. 

"Safe enough by this time, " he replied--"at the bottom of the ocean!"

Whether or not he was right in his surmise I cannot say, but from thatday to this I never again heard mention of the unfortunate vessels. 

After being at sea about a week, on reduced rations both of food and ofwater, we ran one night into the roadstead of Pisco, landed, and beforedaylight had made ourselves masters of the town, the Royalistshurriedly retreating. 

On board the schooner I had obtained a much-needed rest, but directlymy feet touched the shore I was set to work again. 

There never was such a man for prompt and instant action as ColonelMiller. As José said more than once, he was always packing twenty-fourhours' work into twelve, and no one within had ever had a chance toshirk his share. 

"We must follow up the enemy--follow them up, and not give them amoment's rest!" said he, almost before the nose of our boat had touchedthe shore. 

First, however, it was necessary to obtain animals, and almost beforeday broke a dozen parties were dispatched to scour the surroundingdistrict for horses. The Royalists, however, had been beforehand, andit took three days to procure the needful supplies. 

Fortunately a woman arrived from Lima with a drove of fifty mules, which our leader instantly pressed into the service, in spite of theirlawful owner's protestations. She was a fine, handsome, and remarkablewoman, who traded on her own account like a man, and she made a sturdyfight for her property. Directly the mules were seized she bouncedinto the colonel's room, her eyes ablaze. 

"Good-morning, madam, " said he courteously. 

"It's a bad morning for me, " she replied. "Do you know that your menhave stolen my mules?"

"Not stolen, madam; only borrowed, by my orders, for the good of thePatriot cause. "

"I defy you to keep them!" she cried. "See, " and waving & paper, addedtriumphantly, "that will make you less high and mighty, SeñorEnglishman!"

The paper was a passport and protection signed by San Martin himself;but it produced no effect on the stubborn colonel. 

"I am sorry, madam, " he exclaimed, still courteously, "but my men needthe mules. They shall be paid for, handsomely, but I must have them. "

The woman gasped with astonishment, and pushing the paper close to thecolonel's face, cried, "Are you blind? Can't you see General SanMartin's name? Don't you know that he can have you shot to-day if hepleases?"

"Not _to-day_, madam. The swiftest messenger could not get here fromLima to-day; and thanks to your mules, which are really very fineanimals, we shall begin to chase the Royalists at dawn. "

Luckily she could not see my face as she broke into a torrent of abuse. She had a fine command of the Spanish language, which she used for hisbenefit, besides throwing in a number of odd phrases picked up fromEnglish sailors. And all the while the colonel beamed upon hergenially, as if she were paying him the highest compliments. At lengthshe announced, in high-pitched tones, that where her mules went therewould she go also; she would not trust them to such a band of thievingscoundrels. 

"I am delighted, madam, " said the colonel, bowing low; "your societywill in some degree atone for the hardships of our journey. "

Neither of us thought she would really carry out her threat; but earlynext morning she appeared mounted on one of her own mules, and attachedherself to me. 

"Madam, " said I gravely, trying to imitate the colonel, "this is agreat pleasure for us; but even at the risk of losing your valuedcompany, I must once more point out to you the real nature of thisjourney. We shall be half starved, besides suffering torments fromthirst; we shall be worn out by forced marches, and some of us, nodoubt, will fall victims to the Spanish bullets. "

"I won't leave my mules, " was her only reply. 

"But why not sell them to the colonel? he will give you a fair price. "

"And what about my profit?" she cried. "Do you know why I came toPisco?--to buy brandy at eight dollars a jar, which just now I couldsell in Lima at eighty! What do you think of that, young man? Why, Ishould have cleared a handsome fortune by this trip!"

"It is very sad, madam; but soldiers, you know--"

"Soldiers? Bah! Look at them riding on my mules! _My_ mules, markyou! And to think that each of the honest beasts might be carryingfour jars of brandy at eight dollars a jar! It's a wicked waste ofmule-flesh! Eight from eighty leaves seventy-two; take twelve forexpenses, there's still sixty, and four sixties are two hundred andforty--all clear profit from! A dozen of your vagabonds would be dearat the price! Look at that rascally fellow cutting my mule with awhip! I will most certainly have your colonel shot!"

"I think not, madam; you have too tender a heart. "

"Yes, " said she complacently, "that is the truth. I am not sternenough. But fancy"--and here she went all over her calculations again, winding up with the assertion that we were a set of common thieves androgues. 

By degrees, however, her manner changed: the ill-humour wore off, andshe became quite a Patriot, saying she would willingly lose her mulesif the Royalists were hunted down. 

However, about nine o'clock in the morning I left the good lady to pourher grievances into more sympathetic ears, being ordered to push onwith a small detachment of cavalry, guided by Castro. José was luckyenough to stay with the main body. Captain Plaza was in command of ourparty, and he rode with the guide and me. Our course to Ica, the firstvillage on our route, lay over a burning desert of very loose sand, dotted at great intervals by clumps of stunted palms. It was ahorrible ride, and when we reached Ica, about four in the afternoon, neither men nor animals could go a step further. 

The people received us kindly, provided food and drink, and freshhorses in place of our wearied animals. Then we slept for an hour, and, thus refreshed, resumed the pursuit. I have often wondered sincehow any of us survived the hardships of the next few days. 

Now and again we obtained an hour's rest, but our leader halted onlywhen our animals showed signs of exhaustion. The Spaniards must havesuffered as much as, if not more than, ourselves, as occasionally wecame upon a dead horse or a dead man, killed by sheer fatigue. 

On the third night after leaving lea we had ample proof of theirdesperate straits. We had left the sandy deserts behind, and weretoiling along painfully, sustained only by Castro's assurance that heknew of a capital camping-ground. 

"A fine wooded place, " said he, "with grass for the horses, and a clearstream of water. You will be tempted to stay there all night, captain. "

"Three hours, " replied Plaza, "not a moment more. We must be close ontheir heels now, and I don't mean Santalla to escape if I can help it. "

Santalla was a Royalist colonel of whose cruelty I had heard manytimes. He was a gigantic fellow, of enormous strength; but, accordingto all accounts, a pitiful coward in spite of his boasting. Indeed, any leader of average bravery would have turned and struck a blow atthe handful of tired riders which now pursued him. 

"Here we are!" exclaimed Castro presently, and I saw with satisfactionthe trees on our left hand to which he pointed. Every bone in my bodywas racked with pain, my lips were parched, my eyes ached, and for thelast hour I had scarcely been able to keep my seat. 

Halting his men, Plaza sent me on with the guide to investigate. Leaving our horses, we moved forward swiftly but quietly; there wasjust the possibility of a trap. The place was almost like an enclosureon a large hacienda, but the fence was composed of trees, and we couldhear the plashing waters of a stream. 

Inside the ring was an open space, and there, to our astonishment, webeheld some twenty men lying on the grass in all manner of attitudes. Not one made the slightest movement, and at first I thought they mustbe dead. 

"Don't be too sure, " whispered Castro, and stooping down he glidednoiselessly to the nearest man, while I waited with breathlesseagerness. 

"Poor beggars!" said he pityingly; "we must have pushed them hard. Idon't believe they would waken if a cannon were fired at them!"

This was an exaggeration, but indeed they slept so soundly that ourmen, surrounding them, took away most of their weapons before theyunderstood what was going on. Binding their arms, we pushed anddragged them close together, and then the captain placed his men roundthem in a circle. Sentries were stationed at various places on theouter ring, and, much to my disgust, I was told off to visit themduring the first hour. 

"Keep a sharp lookout, " said the captain, "and go round regularly. They are likely to fall asleep if you don't, "--which I did not think atall surprising. However, I had a good drink of water, and dipped myhead in the stream, which freshened me somewhat. Then I began whathas, perhaps, been the very longest hour in my life. Fortunately I hadto walk, and I tried hard to keep my eyes open all the time. As to thecaptain's "sharp look-out, " I concluded he must have been joking. 

The hour came to an end at last, and I was free to sleep. I just laydown on the ground, drew my poncho over me, and was sound asleep. Iwould not have undertaken another hour's duty just then for all thegold ever mined. 

The capture of the small Spanish detachment was a benefit to us in oneway: it prevented Plaza from moving so early, and gave us all an extrahour's sleep. However, as soon as day broke, he told off half a dozenmen to guard the prisoners until the colonel's arrival, and ordered therest to be ready for starting in ten minutes. 

"It's nothing to do with me, " remarked Castro, as he and I rode out atthe head of the men; "but the captain's overdoing it. He's taking theheart out of his fellows, and just at the last pinch they'll fall topieces. There's nothing left in them for a dash at the end. "

"We shouldn't shine in a cavalry charge, " I admitted, laughing andlooking at my horse, "unless, indeed, it were under Don Quixote'sbanner!"

"Well, Crawford, " cried the captain, riding up, "something ought tohappen soon now. It's a pity we wasted that last hour this morning, though. We must make up for it during the day. One of the prisonersinformed me that Santalla cannot be far ahead. I have a good mind topush on with the men on the strongest horses, leaving you to follow. What do you think?"

"I think that you are going fast enough, captain. Both men and horsesare fagged now, and it's useless to catch up with Santalla just as weare all dead beat. "

"But if we don't go ahead we shan't catch him at all. The colonel didnot send us on in front to sit down by the wayside. "

"No, captain; but that's just what we shall be doing soon, whether wewant to or not. Most of the horses are nearly done for now. "

"Then we'll get fresh ones, " cried he (which, by the way, there was nopossible means of doing), "or continue the pursuit on foot. Do youthink if the colonel were in my place he would lag behind?"

Of course I knew he would not, but then Miller was Miller, who had not, to my thinking, his equal in South America. And Plaza wished toimitate his chief, forgetting he did not possess that marvellouspersonal influence over men which accounted so much for the Englishcolonel's success. 

So we pushed on, till, at the end of the third mile or thereabout, ahorse sank through sheer weariness to the ground, and had notsufficient strength to rise again. 

"Run on with the rest, " said the captain to the rider; "we will rideand tie by turns. "

The man saluted and came on, but the last I saw of him he wasstaggering from side to side of the track, as if he had completely lostcontrol of his limbs. After a time another horse fell, giving usanother infantry-man, who in a short time was, I daresay, also leftbehind on the road. 

"'Twill be a plain trail for the main body, " remarked the guide; for weourselves were continually passing broken weapons, mules that could notdrag their limbs a step further, dead horses, and now and then aRoyalist soldier curled up on the track fast asleep. 

"Where will Santalla make for?" I asked. 

"Arequipa. But I don't think he can reach it. The Indians bar thedirect route, and his only way out, as far as I can see, is by takingto the mountains at Copari. "

"My horse won't face a hill just now. "

Castro smiled, saying, "The pass near Copari is too rugged for horsesat any time; the climbing must all be done on foot, " and he smiledagain at my gesture of despair. 

At ten o'clock Plaza was compelled to halt, three-fourths of the menbeing tired as dogs, while several horses had foundered on the road. He was very excited, having heard from the last Spaniard picked up thatSantalla, thoroughly worn out, was barely two hours' march in front. 

He glanced wrathfully at his tired troopers. There they lay, fiveminutes after the order to halt, sleeping like dead men, and for thetime being certainly of no greater use. 

"Caramba!" cried he, "it makes me wild! Two hours, Crawford! Do youhear? And look at them! The prize will slip through our fingers afterall!"

"Hardly that, captain, " I murmured sleepily, "as it has never been inour hands. "

"Santalla will have to rest as well, " remarked the guide, "so thescales will balance. "

"But I don't want them to balance!" cried Plaza testily. 

To give the captain his due, he was greatly in earnest, and willing todo himself all that he required of his men. He showed this plainly twohours after we had resumed the pursuit, when his horse suddenly droppedfrom exhaustion. A dozen troopers at once made as if to dismount, buthe ordered them to keep their seats. 

"No, no, " he roared; "I take no advantage!" and he ran on, holding bythe stirrup to the nearest horseman. 

The fellows cheered him, and I think we got on better for the incident, though the halts became more frequent now, and our numbers lessened, asone man after another dropped exhausted to the ground. Still we weregaining on the runaways, as a disagreeable episode presently made clear. 

It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, and we were straggling atno great speed through a narrow valley, when half a dozen bullets fromthe rocky sides dropped into our midst. 

"Ah!" exclaimed Castro, "now the Spaniards are playing the proper game. These fellows have been left to hold us in check while the main bodyescapes through the Copari Pass. "

"Push on there!" roared the captain, who after a spell of riding hadjust dismounted. There was, indeed, nothing else to be done. We mustrun the gauntlet, and trust to luck for some of us getting through. The Spaniards were well hidden, and could not be dislodged, unless, which was out of the question, we came to hand-grasps with them. Sourging our jaded beasts to a spurt, we quickened the pace, while nowand again a groan and a thud told that a bullet had found its mark. 

Those who were hit lay where they fell; the most of us reached the opencountry just in time to see a dozen or fifteen horsemen mount and rideoff. Evidently they had the pick of Santalla's animals, as they easilykept their distance, though allowing us to advance within range, when, discharging their muskets, they recommenced the retreat. 

Plaza fumed like one distracted at the galling fire, which considerablydelayed our advance, though we suffered in the loss of horses ratherthan of men. He was riding again now, and well in front, with Castroand myself behind him. Suddenly, after a scattering volley, I felt myhorse slip, and the next instant the poor beast was sprawling on theground with a bullet-hole in its chest. 

Staggering to my feet, I ran on, but unsteadily, for in truth I wasgetting very near the end of my strength. However, a husky shout fromthose in front encouraged me, and I saw that at last we had come fairlyupon the runaways. 

Just as Castro had foretold, they were taking to a mountain pass, eastward of Copari, and the main body was already toiling up theascent. Their stores lay about everywhere; horses and mules wereabandoned; only a handful of horsemen, constituting the rearguard, preserved any appearance of order. For a time they stoutly held themouth of the pass, but at length, leaving their animals, they toodisappeared. 

Plaza went at the entrance like a bull at a gate, Castro followed, andI toiled after them with the men. Up we went, some cheering, but themajority with closed lips, saving their breath. In our fatigued statethe climb was fearfully distressing: men sank to the ground gasping, orfell while trying to grasp the overhanging rocks with nerveless fingers. 

As for me, though straining every nerve, I could not keep pace with theleaders. My eyes smarted and ached; my head seemed to spin round; morethan once I should have fallen but for a friendly hand. Presently Iheard Plaza cheer; but he was out of sight, and the sound seemed tocome from a long distance. Then I was placed gently against a rock bya soldier, who pushed on after the rest. 

Had I been hit? I really did not know. There was blood on my hands, but they had been gashed by the jagged rocks. But hit or not, I mustdo my best to keep up; so trying to steady myself, I took another stepforward. The pass was filled with strange sounds and with strangeshapes too. Large birds hovered over my head, men and animals stood inmy path; I had to dodge here and there in order to find a way through. 

Suddenly a man placed his arm round my waist, and saying, "You must liedown, lieutenant, " carried me a little distance, and then placed me onthe ground. 

"No, no, " I murmured drowsily; "the captain is calling! Don't you hearthe captain calling?"

"Yes, " said he: "the Spaniards have escaped, and the captain hassounded a halt. "

I did not know then that the man was tricking me for my own good, so Ianswered innocently, "Thank goodness! Now we shall have a little rest. Waken me when they return. "

"Never fear, sir, " said he; "I will waken you, " and even before heturned away I had lost all knowledge of the situation. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

HOME AGAIN. 

Several days passed before I could recognize any one or anything, andthen I found myself lying in bed in a strange room, but with Josésitting near me. He rubbed his hands together and smiled when my eyesopened, but he would not talk beyond saying that we were back in Ica. 

I felt weak, but in no pain; and in a day or two was able to dress, andwith José's help to go for a stroll in the town. Several acquaintancescongratulated me on my recovery; but not seeing Captain Plaza, I askedJosé if he had been hurt. 

"Oh no, " he answered, with a smile; "the captain is sound in everythingbut temper. Santalla spoiled that by getting clear off. You won'tforget that charming little trip in a hurry, Jack!"

"Oh, it was simply awful! I wouldn't go through it again to be madecommander-in-chief. I wonder it didn't kill me. "

"It did kill some, and knocked you all out except Plaza and the guide. There was precious little difficulty in finding the route you hadtaken. One of the troopers showed me where you were. 'The lieutenantis a bit light-headed; said he; 'so I put him in a corner out of harm'sway. I told him the captain had stopped the pursuit. '"

"I remember something about it. I was tired out before my horse gothit, and the climb up the pass finished me. "

"You weren't the only one to get knocked up. However, the colonelobtained a light cart, and we brought you all back to Ica. "

"So we had our trouble for nothing?"

"Not exactly. Santalla escaped, but he left all his stores behind, andnearly a hundred of his men were captured. Most of them, I think, werevery glad of it. We couldn't get them to keep their eyes open, theywere so sleepy. "

"What did the colonel say?"

"Oh, he laughed, and chaffed Plaza a bit, but I think he was very wellsatisfied. Now we had better turn back. "

I offered no objection, as even the short distance we had walked hadfatigued me wonderfully. By degrees, however, my strength returned, and at the end of another week I was able to resume my duties. 

The colonel, as usual, was extremely busy, having to keep in order allthe affairs of a huge district. Though my services were very welcome, he would not let me do too much, saying kindly, "Take it easy, my lad. One mustn't spur the willing horse. We are not chasing Santalla justat present. "

"Thank goodness!" I exclaimed. "One can have too much of that sport. "And the colonel indulged in one of his merry laughs. 

The town at this time was very quiet. There were no Spanish troopswithin many miles; our own men, through decent food and carefulnursing, were rapidly recovering from the effects of their long forcedmarches; and fierce bands of our guerillas guarded the mountain passes. As far as our particular district was concerned, the war seemed to beover. 

One night as I sat making a fair copy of a proclamation, the colonel, looking up suddenly, exclaimed, "Crawford, would you like to go toLima?"

"To Lima, sir?" and I let the pen fall in my eagerness; "why, I'd giveanything to go there!"

"Well, you can go for nothing, my boy, in a day or two. Of course youknow our friends have been for some time now in possession of thecapital, and that San Martin is Protector of Peru?"

"Yes, sir, though I think 'tis but an empty title until the Royalistsare thoroughly beaten. "

"All in good time, " said he pleasantly. "That will come some day. Weshall be masters of Callao shortly; which will be a great step forward. I have received news this afternoon which impels me to make the journeyto Lima; so if you think you're strong enough--"

"I'm sure I am, " I cried eagerly. "I haven't an ache or pain in mywhole body now, and--"

"All right!" interrupted the colonel; "I'll take you. Now finish yourcopying, and don't fling the ink all over the place; it's wasteful. "

It was not only wasteful, but it gave me extra work, the copy being sosmeared and blotted that I had to write it again on a fresh sheet. 

"Lima in a day or two!" I said softly to myself as my pen drove alongthe paper. The words sounded like sweetest music to me, and I hummedthem to myself over and over again. I pictured the dear old home, thepark, the pony I had ridden so often, the silvery pond, and the boats Ihad fashioned to sail on its waters. 

But above and beyond all I saw my mother, with eyes aglint and facesuffused with joy. The vision was so real that I stopped in my writingto view it more closely. And when the colonel presently gave me leavefor the remainder of the day, I rushed off to find José, hardly knowingwhether I ran or flew. 

"What is it, Jack?" he exclaimed. "Has Captain Plaza promised to takeyou on another trip?"

He laughed at his own joke, and I laughed too, being in the humour tosee fun in anything. 

"You aren't far out, José, " I replied, slapping him on the shoulder outof pure good humour. "I am going on a trip, but not with Plaza!"

"Then it must be with the colonel. "

"Right this time. But where are we going, José? can you tell me that, eh? No, you'll never guess, so I will tell you. To _Lima_, my boy!what do you think of that?"

"I think that your mother will be very pleased to see you. "

"Fancy seeing her again, José, after all these weary months!"

"She will hardly know you, " said he. "You have grown so tall andstrong and manly. You are the image of what your father was at yourage, Jack. Are all the troops to be moved up?"

"I think not. As far as I know, the colonel's only paying a flyingvisit to the capital. Why are you laughing?"

"Because I'm rather doubtful of that. If Miller goes to Lima, it's aproof there are hard knocks about. And high time too! According tothe talk, the war should have been done with long ago. "

Next day the colonel made his arrangements, and on the followingmorning he set out, leaving Major Videla in charge of the district. Rather to my surprise, José formed one of the party, which consistedonly of us three. 

Under some circumstances the journey would have been tedious; butColonel Miller was very agreeable, and told us many interesting storiesof his adventurous career. Thus the time passed pleasantly enough, andon the evening of September 11, 1821, we arrived in the neighbourhoodof Lima. 

The capital, as I have said, was in possession of the Patriots; but aRoyalist garrison still held Callao, and the Royalist general, Canterac, with a small army, had just swooped down from the mountainsto help his friends. Our soldiers were chiefly stationed between thetwo towns; but the citizens of Lima had armed themselves, and swaggeredabout talking of the great deeds they were about to perform. 

The colonel, aware of my anxiety, agreed that I should pay a visit tomy mother at once. 

"I must see General San Martin, " said he. "He may give me a post here, and if so, I will send for you. But you have earned a few days' rest, and I shall not omit to mention you favourably to the protector. "

As soon as he had gone, José and I rode on quickly. My heart beatfast, and my hands trembled so that I had to use both in holding thereins. 

"I suppose it is all right, José, " I remarked as we drew near thehouse. "I suppose there is nothing wrong?"

"No, no, " replied he; "why should there be? You are nervous, my boy, that's all. Cheer up; in a short time you will be in your mother'sarms. "

At the outer gate I drew back, leaving José to accost the janitor, whogreeted him heartily. Then in silence we rode through the park to thecourtyard, and in response to our knocking Antonio appeared. 

On seeing me the old man would have screamed with delight, but Ichecked him, saying softly, "Hush, Antonio; tell me quickly of yourmistress, my mother. Is she well?"

"In health, señor, but sad. Ah, the house has been very lonely formany a long day!"

"Go you, José, " said I, "and prepare her. "

"Joy never kills, " answered he, laughing; "but perhaps it will be aswell for me to go in first. "

I waited a few moments, and then dismounting, walked softly towards theentrance. What would she say? what would she do? My heart almostceased beating as I stood in the shadow listening. The door was wideopen, and a stream of light came from the spacious hall. 

Suddenly I heard a quick step, and then my mother's voice crying, "Juan! my Juan! where are you?" And running forward, I threw myselfjoyfully into her arms. She kissed me repeatedly, and then hand inhand we went inside. 

"Mother!" I cried, "mother!" and for a long time that was the only wordspoken. We sat down side by side, and her beautiful eyes, dimmed byvery joy, looked into mine. She pressed my hand, smoothed my cheeks, and brushed back the hair from my forehead, murmuring softly, "Juan, myJuan!"

I think, perhaps, that great happiness, like great grief, kills speech. At least it was so with us, and we were content to sit there silentlygazing into each loved face. 

At length the good old major-domo, knocking timidly at the door, announced that supper was served, when my mother with a sigh sufferedme to leave her for a few minutes, in order to make myself morepresentable for the table. 

I would have had José sit down with us, but he disappeared, and perhapsafter all it was as well. My mother made only a pretence at eating, and sat with her eyes fixed on me, as though fearful I should in somemysterious way suddenly disappear. 

After supper we returned to the drawing-room, where I related myadventures, telling her the story of the shipwreck, of my rescue andimprisonment in the fort, of my marvellous escape, and all the variousincidents which had happened since I left home. Of Santiago'sinformation concerning my father I said nothing, though I longedgreatly to do so. 

"I think General Barejo wished you well, " she exclaimed after a pause. "He is not of our way of thinking, but he has a kind heart, and he wasa true friend to me before these troubles came upon us. "

"Was he ever friendly with father?" I asked. 

"He respected him much, though he thought him greatly mistaken. Yousee, their ideas were altogether opposed, but in private life eachesteemed the other. "

Presently, remembering that the Royalists no longer held Lima, I said, "What has become of little Rosa? I hope our people have not disturbedher, though it must be lonely for her living in that great house alone. Could she not have come to you?"

"There was no need, " and my mother's lips curled scornfully; "she issafe enough with her father. "

"With her father?" I echoed, in astonishment. "How can he take adelicate child like that into a rough camp?"

"His house is not a rough camp, Juan!"

The truth did not strike me at first, so I said innocently, "Oh, has hebeen wounded and obtained permission to be nursed at home? Is heseriously hurt?"

"He is quite well, I believe, and is one of us. "

"Felipe Montilla turned _Patriot_?" I cried in amazement. 

Now let me not be misunderstood. I honestly believed our cause just. In my small way I had ventured my life for the independence of Peru, and was quite ready to venture it again. But this man had boasted hisloyalty to the Spanish king, had fought under his flag, had taken highrank in his army! He had accepted from him both honours and broadlands, and then at the first reverse in his fortunes had slunk awaylike a whipped cur. 

"A fig for such Patriots!" cried I hotly. "Were I San Martin, heshould be whipped back to the men he has deserted. Give me a loyalfriend or a stout enemy, I care not which; but these _jellyfish_--bah!they are an abomination. "

"You are young, my boy, and not quite wise enough to understand thesethings. Is it not to Don Felipe's credit that he should openly confesshis mistake?"

"And save his estates into the bargain, " said I wrathfully. "Let theSpaniards get the upper hand, and you will find him back in their ranksquickly enough. "

"A man must follow the guiding of his conscience, even if it lead tohis advantage, " remarked my mother quietly. "But if you are indignantwith Don Felipe, you will be equally delighted with Rosa. She is stillLoyalist to the core, and makes no secret of it. She told San Martinthe other day that he was a busybody, meddling in affairs that did notconcern him, and that the people of Peru could settle their disputeswithout his interference. "

"Bravo, Rosa!" I cried, with a laugh; "there is nothing like speakingone's mind. I'll wager San Martin prefers the girl to her father. Have you seen the general?"

"Yes; he paid me a friendly visit on purpose to show his admiration foryour dear father. He is a most remarkable man. "

It was not until the evening drew to a close that my mother spoke ofwhat lay nearest her heart--our plans for the future. She admittedwith a sigh that I must in honour offer my services to San Martin. Iwas still young, but there were many boys fighting in the ranks, andsome had already sacrificed their lives for the cause. 

"It is hard to let you go again, " said she, pressing me fondly to her, "and yet I must. God grant that the war may soon be brought to an end!"

"Amen to that!" I exclaimed fervently. "Fighting is not to my liking, but I cannot stand idly by while others risk their lives for mybenefit. "

"No, " said my mother, kissing me good-night; "you must do your duty, myboy. Your father would have wished it. "

A few minutes later I went to my room, and was just closing the doorwhen José appeared. He looked hot and flushed, and I asked where hehad been. 

"To the camp, " said he, with a laugh, "to see what's going on. Ithought the colonel must have had some special news. Unless San Martinholds his hand, the Spaniards are lost. They can't stay at Callao, asthere isn't food even for the garrison; they aren't strong enough totake Lima: they must retreat or starve. "

"Well?" I exclaimed questioningly. 

"Why, don't you see, directly they begin to retreat we shall crushthem. Already nearly two hundred of their men have deserted. "

"More deserters? Why, we shall soon be able to form a battalion ofturncoats for Don Felipe to lead!"

It was now José's turn to look astonished, and his expression ofamazement was so ludicrous that I laughed outright. 

"What a poltroon!" he cried contemptuously. "But I'll see you get noharm by this right-about face. He is mistaken if he thinks histreachery will give him a hold on your estates. "

"A hold on my estates, José? What do you mean?"

"Oh, " said he, "I have not cared to speak of it, but I must now. " Andhe proceeded to inform me that all my father's property had passed intothe possession of Don Felipe Montilla. 

"But, " I exclaimed, striving to appear calm, "that will be set asidenow. San Martin will never allow our property to be confiscatedbecause my father died for the Patriot cause. "

"Montilla is a fox, Jack, and has made a good bargain for himself, nodoubt. I expect he obtained the general's written promise to confirmhim in all his estates. And if so, " he concluded gloomily, "yours formpart of them. "

"He shall not keep them, " I cried angrily, "whatever San Martin haspromised!"

"No; but we must not quarrel openly until the Spaniards are done with. Montilla has influence, and no doubt San Martin finds him useful. Butdon't take it to heart, Jack; we will defeat him in the end. "

"If we don't, " said I grimly, "it will be because the son has followedthe father. And that reminds me, do you think Montilla knows whatactually happened to my father? It always seemed strange to me thatRosa should learn of that affair so quickly. "

"You don't suspect--"

"That he had a hand in his death? No, hardly that, though he ismean-spirited enough for it. But it struck me that, being high in theviceroy's favour, he probably knew what was going on. "

"That is possible at least. "

"Probable, I should say. However, to-morrow I intend putting thequestion to him. "

"Do you mean that you are going to interview him on the subject?"

"Why not? There can be no harm in asking a straightforward question. "

"Mind you don't lose your temper, my boy. It's dangerous work rousinga venomous snake until its poison bag is extracted. "

"Never fear, José. I have learned how to take care of myself duringthe last few months. Thanks to you and the colonel, I have done somehard practising. And now turn in. It will seem strange to sleep inone's own bed again, won't it?"

"Make the most of it, " advised he laughingly. "It may be a long timebefore you have another chance. "

I felt very tired, and yet it was long before I fell asleep. I wasangry at Montilla's double-dealing, sorry for Rosa, my old playmate, and agitated by a thousand vague doubts and suspicions. 

In the morning I rose very little refreshed, had a simple breakfast inmy room, and went to find José. He had already returned from an earlyvisit to the camp, and brought word that matters were still in the samestate. The Spaniards remained sheltered under the guns of thefortress, and San Martin, knowing their provisions were almostexhausted, would not attack. 

Presently we were joined by my mother, who made José happy by praisinghim for his care of me. Then we took a stroll round the grounds, looked in at my workshop, where my half-painted boat still lay, andpaid a visit to the lake. 

After a while I asked José to have my horse saddled, saying, "Excuseme, mother, for a short time, please. You know the colonel may sendfor me at any moment, and I should like to see Rosa once more. "

This was only partly the truth, but I could not speak of my principalmotive, for as yet, acting under José's advice, I had made no mentionof Santiago's queer story. It would have been cruel to raise hopesthat might have no actual foundation. 

CHAPTER XIV

FRIEND OR FOE!

I have before said that Don Felipe was our nearest neighbour; thegrounds of his house, indeed, joined our own, and I might easily havegone there on foot. Perhaps it was a touch of pride which induced meto go on horseback, as I was a good rider, and young enough to feel acertain satisfaction in my appearance. 

I had grown beyond the recollection of the gatekeeper, who admitted meto the courtyard with a show of deference, saying that both his masterand young mistress were at home. Rosa's mother had been dead for someyears. 

Don Felipe had numerous servants, and to one of them I threw the reins, telling him to mind my horse. Then going to the door, I inquired forDon Felipe. 

The major-domo was showing me to a small room, when a girl, merrilyhumming a popular Royalist song, came tripping along the corridor. Suddenly she stopped, looked hard at me, and then came forward again, saying, "Juan! Surely you are Juan Crawford?"

I have sometimes laughed since at my stupidity, yet there might befound some excuse for it. During my absence from Lima I had oftenthought of my little playmate, but it had never occurred to me thattime would change her as well as myself. And now, instead of the merrychild with whom I had romped and played, there appeared a beautifulgirl at whom I gazed in wonder. 

"Are you not Juan Crawford?" she asked again, speaking softly. 

"Yes, " said I, "I am Juan; but you, señorita?"

Her face rippled with merry laughter; but pouting her lips, she said, --

"What a poor compliment to your old friend, Juan! Surely you have notforgotten Rosa!"

"Nay, that have I not; I have forgotten nothing. But you are sochanged, Rosa--so different!"

"So are you; but I knew you at once. When did you come home? Have youcome to see me?"

"Yes, and your father as well. I have some business with him. "

"Oh!" cried she, tossing her head and frowning, "of course you and heare on the same side. My father is a Patriot now, and cries, 'Downwith the king!' I suppose your meddlesome general has sent you with amessage. "

I did not undeceive her; and while the servant carried my name to hismaster, we entered one of the rooms and continued our conversation. Isaw she was troubled; yet with great skill and grace she put me atease, and led me to talk of what had happened during the last two years. 

"What a fire-eater you are, Juan!" she cried banteringly. "I am quiteafraid of you. But what a fine sword you have! Ah, if I were only aboy! Can you guess what I would do?"

"No, " I replied, with a shake of the head. "No one can guess what agirl will do. "

"But I said a boy. "

"Ah! that would be altogether different. "

"I will tell you then, " she said, standing up and speaking veryearnestly. "I would get a sword and pistols and join the king'sfriends. I would be a loyal Spanish cavalier, Juan, if I were the onlyone in Peru!"

"Then it is lucky you are a girl, Rosa, or you would soon be killed. Iwould not harm the king, even if he were here instead of being inSpain, thousands of miles away; but I have no love for those who rulein his name. "

"No, " said she, casting down her eyes, and I thought her voice soundedsad; "you have suffered at their hands. But it is not the king'sfault, Juan; he would have seen you righted. "

"It is a long way from Peru to Spain, " said I, trying to speakcarelessly, "and it seems as if in these days one must right one's ownwrongs. "

After that we sat speaking very little, each afraid lest the talkshould drift into an awkward channel, for I felt sure that she knew howher father had robbed us of our estates. 

On the return of the servant she whispered earnestly, "My father haschanged greatly. I am sure he is unhappy. If he should appear crossand irritable, you will bear with him, won't you, Juan?"

"I will do my best, Rosa. But why should he be angry with me? I amonly going to ask him a question. "

Don Felipe was truly much altered. His dark hair was plentifullysprinkled with silver; there were deep lines in his forehead and aroundhis lips; his eyes had become shifty, and there was a look of cunningin them. He gave me just one swift, searching glance, and then lookedaway. It was an awkward meeting, and I hardly knew what to say. Fortunately Don Felipe took the lead. 

"You have grown almost out of knowledge, my young friend; and I noticeyou have obtained military rank, " said he, with a covert sneer. 

"I have the honour to be a lieutenant in the army to which we bothbelong, señor, " I replied. 

He winced at that, and his eyes glowed angrily. 

"If you have brought me a message from your general, " said he, "willyou at once deliver it? I am very busy just now. "

"I will not take up more than five minutes of your valuable time, señor. My errand is an important one, though _at present_ it hasnothing to do with General San Martin. "

Again he glanced at me sharply, and I thought he seemed slightlynervous. 

"I must ask you to be quick with it, " he said coldly. 

"I only desire to ask you about the death of my father. I am sure youwill give me all the information in your power, as he died for theindependence of Peru, which to-day both you and I are trying to secure. "

At that he started up, his eyes blazing, his hand on his sword. 

"Do you think I killed your father?" he roared furiously. "He diedthrough his own fault. I warned him again and again that the time wasnot ripe, but he paid no heed to me. "

"Are you not mistaken?" I asked. "According to the Indians' account, he was slain while trying to prevent them from rising. "

"Then the government was deceived. No good can be done by digging upthe dead past, but you shall hear all that I know of the story. Atthat time there were three parties in the country. One section, led byyour father, resolved upon armed insurrection; another, composed ofRoyalists, determined that nothing should be changed; the third, towhich I belonged, endeavoured to obtain reform by moderate means. Ineed not say that your father was a marked man. One day the viceroyreceived word that he had started for the mountains in order to rousethe Indians to revolt, and, to prevent mischief, it was arranged thathe should be placed in prison. As you may know, he refused to submitquietly, and, unfortunately, was shot in the fight which ensued. "

"Was his body brought back to Lima?"

"I never heard so. Most probably it was left on the mountains. I wassorry for him; but he was a headstrong man, and would not listen toreason. "

"That was foolish of him, " I remarked quietly. "Had he waited till theproper time to declare his real opinions, he would not have lost hislife, nor my mother her property. It is possible, indeed, that ourestates would have been largely added to. "

"The estates were confiscated, it is true, " said Don Felipe slowly, "but they fell into friendly hands. " Then, in quite a kindly tone, headded, "You feel bitter against me, Juan--I see it in your face. Perhaps it is natural; yet you really have no reason to do so. I mustnot say more now, but all will come right in the end. "

"So I intend, " said I stoutly, yet feeling rather mystified. 

The man's sudden change of manner puzzled me. After all, I was only aboy, with little ability and no training to seek for things lyingbeneath the surface. And Montilla seeing the state of my mind, playedupon it with consummate skill. 

I cannot truthfully say that he made any definite promise, but this wasthe impression I received:--Knowing that all my father's property wasforfeit to the law, he had exerted his influence to secure it. At thattime he thought the trouble would be settled without fighting, andintended in a year or two to restore the estates. When the war brokeout, he endeavoured to bring the viceroy over to the cause of reform, but finding that impossible, was compelled reluctantly to join thePatriots. Of course, in the matter of the estates, nothing could bedone now till the war was over. 

"Thus, " said he cheerfully, "the future is safe. If the Patriots win, we can have the confiscation revoked; while, on the other hand, I countso many friends among the moderate Royalists that the viceroy wouldhardly care to thwart me. "

"In any case, " said I bluntly, though with no wish to vex him, "theIndians will see that I am not wronged!"

"Trust me, " he answered, his voice sounding now like the purring of acat; "Felipe Montilla never makes mistakes. "

I had a stinging reply on my lips, but refraining from giving itutterance, I bade him farewell. 

"Come again, Juan, " said he, "if the general can spare you!" Andthough not overburdened with wits, I had a sense of being laughed at. 

I was joined in the corridor by Rosa, who wanted to know why I wasgoing so soon. 

"I really must, " I answered, smiling. "I have spent no time with mymother yet, and I may be sent for at any moment. "

"But this will not be _good-bye_?"

"On the contrary, I hope to see you often. Your father has given methe kindest of invitations. "

At this she opened her eyes wide; but quickly recovering herself, shesmiled pleasantly, and accompanied me to the hall. As I rode by, shewas standing at a window waving her hand. 

I had much to think of during the short ride home, but I got littlesatisfaction from my thoughts. Nothing had been gained by my visit toMontilla, and his story only went to confirm the truth of the reportsof my father's death. As to my faith in his startling promises, itgrew weaker with every step my horse took. 

I said nothing to my mother; but José, to whom I related all that hadpassed, laughed loudly. 

"The cunning old fox!" cried he; "he hasn't his equal for craft inPeru! You will see that, whoever sinks, Don Felipe Montilla will swim. "

"Not at my expense, " I exclaimed, "while I have strength to raise anarm. "

The rest of that day I spent with my mother, forcing myself to forgetthat any trouble existed in the world. It was only a brief spell ofhappiness, but we enjoyed every second of it, and by nightfall mymother's face had lost some of its sadness, and her eyes shone brightlyas in the olden days. 

Early next morning an order was brought to me to rejoin Colonel Miller, as it was arranged that, for a time at least, José should remain behindto look after the affairs of the hacienda. The servants assembled inthe courtyard to see me off, and my mother came to the hall door. There she embraced me, and stood smiling bravely as I mounted. Whatever sorrow she felt was locked up tightly in her own breast. 

Accompanied by the man who had brought the order, I rode briskly toMirones, the headquarters of the Patriot army, and about a mile fromCallao. 

The colonel was with San Martin and a group of officers, watching theenemy's movements; but he turned to me at once, saying, "General, thisis Lieutenant Crawford, of whom I spoke. "

San Martin, the Protector of Peru, was a tall man with black hair, bushy whiskers, and a deep olive complexion. He had black, piercingeyes, fringed by long lashes and overhung by heavy brows and a high, straight forehead. He was strong and muscular, with an erect, militarycarriage. He looked every inch a soldier, and one, moreover, with aniron will that nothing could bend. His voice was harsh and unmusical, but he spoke in a kindly, simple, and unaffected manner. 

"Colonel Miller has told me many things of you, lieutenant, " said he, "and all to your credit. I am glad to know that the son of Don EduardoCrawford is following so well in his father's steps. "

"Thank you, general, " I replied, bowing low. 

"I understand, " he continued, "that Colonel Miller wishes to keep youwith him. It is certainly an honourable post; but I fancy you arelikely to get many hard knocks, " he concluded, with a laugh. 

"He has had a strong taste of the service, general, " observed Miller, with a merry smile. --"Are you willing to stay with me, Crawford?"

"Yes, certainly, sir, with the general's permission. "

"Very well, " said San Martin. "And, by the way, colonel, let him haveon hour's sleep now and again, "--a little joke at which the group ofofficers, knowing the Englishman's habits, laughed heartily. 

The general presently rode off to his quarters, the officers went totheir several duties, and I accompanied Colonel Miller to that part ofthe field in which his men were stationed. He had been appointed tothe command of a column seven hundred strong, which was held inreadiness to move at any moment. The officers were unknown to me, butthey seemed pleasant, genial fellows, and in a short time I felt quiteat home with them. The younger ones were grumbling because San Martindid not at once attack the enemy, saying that Canterac would slip awayto the mountains in the night. 

"Then his army will break up of its own accord, " remarked a grizzledmajor. "He can't take his guns, and his troops are starving. Hundredswill throw down their weapons on finding us close at their heels. "

"Better have a straight fight and have done with it, " grumbled ayoungster. "There's no fun playing at hide-and-seek in the hills. "

"Should you live to be a man, " said the major reprovingly, "you won'ttalk in such a light-hearted way of a battle. " And the boy's faceflushed at the laugh which greeted the remark. 

"Don't be too sarcastic, Gamarra, " cried another. "The youngster'sright in the main. If Canterac escapes, the war may drag on formonths, and will cost thousands of lives. The mountains will kill morethan a pitched battle would. "

"Canterac can't escape if we follow him up properly, " said the major, "and Colonel Miller seems the man to do that. "

"That is so; but he can't move without orders; and there's more thanone man in high places who will prefer Lima to a pursuit. "

Thus they talked during the afternoon, and early in the evening ColonelMiller ordered that every one not on duty should turn in at once; whichwe took to be a sign that something was going to happen shortly. 

At ten o'clock the column was roused. The men assembled silently, anda whisper went round that Canterac had begun his retreat. For morethan an hour we awaited fresh orders, the colonel on horseback fumingimpatiently, until at last the word came to march. 

"An hour thrown away, " muttered the colonel angrily. "Canterac willlaugh in our faces. "

To our disgust, we found that the column was attached to the main army, and that we had to move step by step to the will of the chief. I knewvery little about military tactics, but it was a strange kind ofpursuit, and made me think of a tortoise chasing a hare. 

"I wonder what Captain Plaza would think of this performance?" said thecolonel, rather bitterly, as we jogged along. "This isn't the way hetook you after Santalla, eh?"

"Indeed no, colonel!" I replied, laughing. "The captain would have hadus on the other side of Lima by now. "

"It's like a funeral procession, " he muttered impatiently; "and if theydon't mind, 'twill be a funeral procession in reality. We shall beburying the independence of Peru. "

The ridiculous part of it was that our column had been formed of allthe light companies on purpose to swoop down on the foe. As far as Icould judge, the swoop was much like that of a hawk whose wings hadbeen carefully tied to its body. 

However, we tramped along throughout the night, halting at daybreakwithout getting a glimpse of the exulting Canterac. 

"Never mind, " exclaimed the colonel, who hated to look on the dark sideof things; "we may catch them during the day. "

In this he was disappointed, as we proceeded in the same leisurelymanner, just as if we were out for a quiet stroll on a summer's day. Several times Miller rode off to the staff, but on each occasion hereturned looking more dissatisfied than before. 

The men wondered, and at each halt the officers talked pretty freelyamong themselves, giving their opinions with refreshing vigour. 

"Canterac has the start of us now, " said one, "and we shall neverovertake him. We had the game in our hands, and have simply thrown itaway. "

The grizzled major remained optimistic, saying, "You may depend thatSan Martin has some scheme in his head. " But the rest of us weredoubtful. 

"If I had an enemy in a trap, my scheme would be to keep him there andnot to let him walk out through an open door, " laughed a young captain. "The war might have been finished to-day; now it's likely to go on foranother twelvemonth. "

"Well, " remarked one of his comrades, "it's a comfort to think weshan't kill ourselves through over-exertion. "

By degrees we pushed on to a place about nine leagues east of Lima, where it seemed as if the lumbering machine had broken down altogether. It was evening when we arrived and halted; the men ate the last morselof their scanty rations; the chief officers, though no one couldimagine what they found to discuss, held a conference, and presently itleaked out that the pursuit had been abandoned. 

"I don't profess to understand it, " exclaimed Major Gamarra, "but youwill find that there's some grand scheme in the air. "

"Ah!" interrupted another officer, in a sarcastic tone, "and no doubtit will stay there; most of these precious schemes do. What I shouldlike to see would be a little common sense. "

"Would you recognize it if you saw it?" put in the major quick aslightning; and all the others laughed. 

"Perhaps not. I've had little opportunity of renewing my acquaintancewith it since San Martin came to Peru. "

This was a dangerous remark, as we were a very mixed crowd. Some hadcome from Buenos Ayres with San Martin; others were Chilians who hadfought with him throughout the Chilian War; several, like myself, werenatives of Peru; while two or three were Englishmen. 

Fortunately, before the dispute had had time to become hot, the colonelreturned from the conference, and joined us at the fire. 

"I don't know, gentlemen, that anything is likely to happen, " said he;"but we may as well enjoy a night's rest while we can, " and wrappinghis cloak around him, he lay down, setting an example which most of usfollowed. 

CHAPTER XV. 

WE CATCH A TARTAR. 

When I awoke at six o'clock in the morning, most of the officers andmen were still sleeping, but the colonel had disappeared. There wasnothing to be done beyond feeding and grooming my horse, which I alwaysmade a point of doing myself. As to my own breakfast, my haversack wasempty, and I think there was hardly a pound of meat to be found amongthe whole column. 

After a short time the men were roused, and just after seven o'clock wesaw the colonel come tearing along on horseback, as if pursued by acavalry division. Evidently he was in a great hurry, and his face waswreathed in smiles. 

"Good-morning, gentlemen, " he cried. "You will be glad to hear mynews: we move in an hour's time. The general has only a scanty stockof provisions, but there is sufficient to provide your men withbreakfast. --Crawford, hunt up Lieutenant-Colonel O'Brien, and ask himto come to me at once. "

O'Brien was a famous Irishman who had served with San Martin allthrough the Chilian War. He was a fine fellow, standing six feet sixinches high, and well proportioned. Every one loved him for hiswinning ways, his ready smile, his perfect honesty, and his absolutefearlessness. 

"Colonel Miller?" said he, on hearing my message. "Faith, I'll comeinstantly. " And we rode back together. 

"You're prompt, O'Brien, " exclaimed the colonel, laughing; "Have youhad enough of this slow-time business?"

"More than enough, colonel. What are your fellows looking so pleasedabout?"

"First, the prospect of a breakfast; and then--"

"You've badgered the general into giving you a free hand!"

"Not quite that; but I have permission to push on. I fear it's toolate. Canterac is a fine soldier, and will be ready for us now; but Iam going to see if he has left any weak places. Would you care to comewith me?"

"You're just a jewel, colonel, " exclaimed the big Irishmanenthusiastically, "and I'm eternally devoted to you. When do we start?"

"Directly after breakfast. Will you take some with me?"

"That will I, colonel, and I'm as charmed with the second invitation asthe first. I dined with the general the day we left Mirones, andhaven't had a decent meal since. "

The colonel laughed, saying, "I'm afraid I can't say much for thequality of our food. "

"Never mind the quality, colonel; I think more of quantity just atpresent. "

"Well, that's on a par with the quality. "

This did not sound very promising; but we managed to satisfy ourhunger, and the men, having eaten their scanty rations, were drawn upready for the start. At nine o'clock we left the camp, and a rapidmarch brought us to the village of Macas, which the enemy had justabandoned. Here, to our great delight, we discovered a number of sheepdressed and ready for cooking; so, for once in a way, we enjoyed areally good meal, while cracking many jokes at the Spaniards' expense. Then having rested, we pushed on to the foot of the mountains, wherethe men bivouacked, being too tired to drag themselves any further. 

I was just preparing to off-saddle when the colonel said, "Crawford, ifyou aren't too tired, you can come with me. I am going just a littleway up the mountain. "

"Very good, sir, " I answered, climbing into the saddle again, butwishing that he had taken it into his head to sleep instead. 

"I should like to find out where Canterac is. He is quite cleverenough to set a very ugly trap for us. "

It was dark now, and the road was difficult; but we rode cautiously, listening for sounds, and keeping our eyes well open. At the end ofperhaps half a mile the colonel suddenly stopped, and said in awhisper, "Some one is coming towards us. "

The position was very awkward. We were on a narrow road with nohiding-place at hand, and must either retreat rapidly or plumpourselves right into the arms of the strangers. In another minute wehad no choice at all, as several dusky figures loomed up before us. Fortunately Colonel Miller favoured the practice of taking the bull bythe horns, and levelling his pistol, he cried in a stern voice, "Halt!Who are you?"

Taken by surprise, the men stopped, and we heard one of them say, "No, no; he's no Spaniard. I can tell by his speech. "

"Quite right, " cried the colonel. "I'm an English officer in thePatriot army. Who are you? Make haste; we don't want to stay here allnight. "

"We're deserters from General Canterac's army, " replied one boldly, "and want to give ourselves up. "

"Then you're just right. We will return with you to the camp, or thesentries might shoot you. --Crawford, turn your horse round so that theycan pass between us. --Now, my good fellows, march, and I hope for yourown sakes that you've given a true account of yourselves. "

Thus we journeyed back to the camp, where, beside a good fire, ColonelMiller examined the prisoners. From them we learned that GeneralCanterac had halted in a strong position halfway up the mountain; uponwhich I could see, by his restlessness, that the colonel was eager toresume the pursuit at once. A glance at his wearied men, however, showed him the folly of such an enterprise. 

"No, " said he at last; "they couldn't stand it. " Which was quite true. 

Having given the strangers into the charge of the guard, we unsaddledour horses, wrapped ourselves up, and lay down near the fire. Twoseconds later we were fast asleep. At daybreak we were moving again, and I fancy the colonel felt glad he had not attempted to lead his menup the mountains in the darkness of night. The road was simplyhorrible, and the pass might have been defended by a score of resolutemen against an army. Halfway up we received a check. O'Brien, goingforward with a handful of men, got in touch with the enemy, whoimmediately turned about and threatened to overwhelm us by a suddenattack. 

Under some leaders we should most certainly have come to grief; but thecolonel's cheery, smiling face kept the men at their posts. Drawingthem up in a strong position, he awaited the attack calmly. 

"If you try to run away, my lads, " he said pleasantly, "the Spaniardswill make mincemeat of you; so it is wisest to stand firm. "

We watched three battalions come down from the height and halt justbeyond musket-range. 

"I don't believe they're going to attack, after all!" exclaimed O'Brienexcitedly. 

"Not until we move, " answered the colonel, "and then they'll fall on ustooth and nail. I expect they are just gaining time while the mainbody gets away. It's aggravating, too, because they have the whip handof us. We aren't strong enough to turn them out. "

O'Brien shook his head, saying, "If the provisions would last, we mightstand here staring at each other till doomsday. "

Darkness found the position unchanged, while numerous watch-firesgleamed fitfully through the gloom. 

"I wonder, " said the colonel thoughtfully, "if Canterac intends keepinghis men there all night? Those fires may be just a blind; he's quiteequal to a dodge of that sort. "

"Let me find out, " said O'Brien. --"Crawford, do you feel in trim for astroll?"

"Oh, thanks! it's very kind of you to think of me. "

"Don't mention it, my dear fellow! It's a weakness of mine to remembermy friends. --We'll be back in an hour, colonel. --Take off your sword, Crawford; we must trust to our pistols. Are you ready? Come along, then. "

Passing our outposts, we began to climb warily, keeping a keen lookout, and taking care to make no unnecessary noise. It was possible--indeedI thought probable--that we should meet the enemy stealing down tosurprise our camp by a night attack. However, we kept steadily on ourway, and had nearly reached the outer ring of fires, when, clutchingO'Brien by the arm, I dragged him bodily to the ground. 

"What's the matter?" he asked quietly. 

"A sentry! Listen! He's talking to some one. "

We lay quite still, trying to hear what was said; but in this we weredisappointed, and presently the two men separated, each walking slowlyin opposite directions. 

"Now's our chance!" whispered O'Brien; and crawling on hands and knees, we passed quietly between the two. Several yards away was a big fire, and a number of men had gathered round it, where they could easily beseen. 

"Then they haven't bolted, after all!" said O'Brien, in surprise. 

"It doesn't look like it; but don't let us be too sure. You stay inthis hollow while I investigate. You are not a good performer onall-fours. "

"No, " said he, chuckling, and I was afraid that, in spite of ourdanger, he would laugh aloud; "this is a sort of circus trick nottaught at our school. Can you judge where to find me again?"

"Easily, if they don't let the fires out;" and I crawled further intothe camp, and in the direction of a second fire. It looked verycomfortable, but no one was there to take advantage of it, and thethird and fourth I visited were equally deserted. 

The trick was plain enough now. After lighting the fires, the threebattalions had marched off, leaving just sufficient men to tend them, and to act as sentries. The sight of a soldier crossing the camp tothrow fresh fuel on one of the fires changed suspicion into certainty, and I hastened back to O'Brien with my information. 

"That's an old dodge, " said he, "but a good one. It almost always paysin this part of the world. Now let us get back and tell the colonel. "

Cautiously we crawled back, waited nearly an hour for a favourablechance to dodge the sentries, and then hurried down the pass. 

"Thanks, " exclaimed the colonel, on hearing our report. "We can affordnow to let the men have a couple of hours' sleep; they need it. "

"And I daresay some of the officers will lie down, if you press them, "laughed O'Brien. --"What do you say, Crawford?"

"Well, the colonel need not press me much, " I replied. 

"Good boy! I'm pleased you're so willing to do as you're told. "

"Well, he has certainly earned a rest, " observed Miller. "But we aremoving sharp at daybreak, remember. "

"There's nothing strange in that, " said I sleepily; "the wonder wouldbe if we didn't. " At which the colonel and O'Brien laughed heartily. 

Next day we marched into the village of Puruchuco, on the eastern sideof the mountain, and about six miles distant from the small town ofHuamantanga, where the Royalists had halted. Owing to the difficultyof obtaining food, Colonel Miller now sent most of our infantry back toMacas; the Indians were thrown forward to act as a screen in front;while the rest of us bivouacked in some meadows near the village. Thenext day the colonel and I rode to within five hundred yards ofHuamantanga, where we saw the enemy formed up in marching order. 

"What restless fellows they are!" I exclaimed laughingly; "they're onthe move again!"

"Yes; but this time, unless I'm much mistaken, they are movingbackwards. Ride round to the right, warn the Indians to be ready foran attack, and rejoin me at Puruchuco. "

I had barely reached the village when the colonel's suspicions wereverified. Two thousand of the enemy, all picked men, as we afterwardsdiscovered, rapidly descended the heights, drove the Indians back bysheer strength of numbers, and at last sent them flying pell-mell toseek safety in some of the numerous ravines. We had barely threehundred regular soldiers, many of whom were young boys, and scarcelyone had ever smelt powder in a real fight. But Miller was a host inhimself, and though the odds were so desperate, I did not despair ofvictory. 

O'Brien, with a picked detachment of infantry, occupied a strongposition, and began firing as soon as the assailants came within range. The cavalry and the remainder of the infantry were posted lower downthe mountain side. 

"Aim low, lads, " said the colonel, "and don't waste your ammunition. If they reach you, give them a taste of the steel. "

The flight of the Indians left us a great deal exposed, and in dangerof being surrounded; but O'Brien had placed his men on a rockyplatform, from which they kept one detachment in check. Meanwhile, inour own quarter the fight raged furiously. A large body of Spaniards, slipping past O'Brien, came on again and again. We beat them back, butthey gave us no rest. Our men began to fall, and once I saw a shade ofanxiety flit across the colonel's face. It was gone in less than asecond, but it confirmed my opinion that we could not hold our ground. 

For the most part, we contented ourselves with repelling the enemy'sattacks; but twice our leader flung himself against their dragoons atthe head of his cavalry. We broke them easily, but could not pursue, and the experiment cost us a dozen in killed and wounded. 

"This won't do, " said he. "They will eat us up. --Crawford, tellO'Brien to retire on us slowly. I intend to retreat. --Captain Prieto, get your men posted in that ravine to the left, and hold it until youare told to withdraw. "

I did not hear the captain's reply, being on my way to deliver thecolonel's order. I had left my horse behind, but even so, the journeywas distinctly unpleasant, as my body was a prominent target for dozensof muskets. 

"Warm work, Crawford!" exclaimed O'Brien. "I think the colonel isright. We've caught a tartar this time, and no mistake. --Steady, mylads! we'll make them fight for every yard. "

I stayed with the detachment, helping to carry a wounded man. Thecheering Spaniards pressed us closely; if they could break through ourcordon, Miller's men were doomed. But we returned shot for shot, andstopped their occasional rushes by steel. Every moment of delay gaveour brave fellows further down the pass a better chance of escape. 

"Well done, O'Brien!" cried the colonel, as we joined him where hestood with a few horsemen. --"Steady, my lads! Captain Prieto holds thepass. Don't lose your heads, and we shall come out all right. "

At the ravine the horsemen halted, while the infantry continued theretreat; first O'Brien's men, and afterwards those who had held thepass under Captain Prieto. This was the fiercest part of the struggle. The fighting was at hand-grips now, and I wondered we were not sweptaway headlong. 

"Stand firm, my lads, stand firm; it's your only chance!" sang outMiller cheerfully, and his eyes brightened with the passing minutes, ashe knew that the bulk of his command was rapidly getting out of danger. 

For half an hour we held the narrow way with sword and pistol, and thena body of Spaniards, who unseen by us had worked round to the right, appeared lower down the pass. 

"We must cut our way through, and at once!" cried our leader. "Aboutface, lads, and into them. Ride hard, and strike hard. "

We were in a trap now, and the only way to get out was by smashing thedoor. The colonel led, the troopers followed as best they could, whileO'Brien and I remained in the rear to help to check the rush of theenemy's main body. There was a flash of swords, the sound ofpistol-shots, an outburst of mocking laughter from the enemy, a "Viva!"from our own men, a vigorous "Hurrah!" from the colonel, and then wewere through!

"Go on, my lads!" cried the colonel, dropping to the rear. "Yourcomrades are at the foot of the mountain. --A narrow shave, O'Brien!"

"Yes! and we aren't clear yet, " replied the Irishman, turning in hissaddle to glance behind. "There would be more chance for us if wecould bring down that tall fellow who is leading. "

Whiz! whiz! The bullets were buzzing about our ears now, too close tobe comfortable, and but for our horses, we must soon have been killedor captured. At any other time I would not have ridden down thatmountain side at a foot pace. It was a succession of steep descents, which made one dizzy to look at; and how my animal managed to keep itsfeet I could not understand. 

"Push on!" cried the colonel suddenly, "and tell Prieto to line themouth of the pass, in case these fellows chase us all the way. "

He and O'Brien had stopped, intending to try the effect of a shot ortwo, and in another minute I was out of sight. Fifty yards furtherdown the road forked, and fancying the branch to the right looked theeasier, I turned into it. 

"It may take a little longer to reach the bottom, " I thought, "but it'sa far less dangerous way. I wonder if the others will think to turndown here. "

It often happens that we come to grief when feeling most secure, and itwas so with me now. I was riding at a swift gallop, and perhaps withless care than was necessary, when all at once my horse stumbled, failed to recover itself, and fell heavily. Fortunately it lay still, and I was able to drag myself free, feeling dazed and bewildered. Herewas a pretty pickle! What could I do? In any case the colonel wouldreach the bottom first, and the retreat would be continued without me. 

Getting up, I tried to help the animal to its feet; but the poor thingeither could not or would not move. It was clear that I must leave it, and though hating to do so, I walked a few paces down the narrow path. The fall had shaken me considerably. My head ached, and I had much adoto grope my way along. Three several times in the course of a shortdistance I stumbled, and the third time fell heavily to the ground, twisting my left foot underneath me. I tried to rise, but could not. Now, what should I do? I dared not call for help, lest the Spaniardsshould hear me. For two hours I lay thus, wondering what would becomeof me. The noise of the shouting and firing had now died away; theenemy had probably returned to their stronghold. Not a sound broke thestillness, and the gloom of evening began to envelop the path. 

It was now only that I realized fully my frightful danger. Unless someone passed that way by accident, I should die of hunger and exposure!The idea nerved me to a fresh effort. Rising painfully, and steadyingmyself here and there by the rocks, I limped a short distance, thoughevery step wrung from me a cry of agony. Several times I stopped torest, and to wipe the sweat from my brow; twice in less than fiveminutes I was obliged to sit down, and at last the pain in my footbecame so excruciating that I could struggle no further. 

"It's no good!" I exclaimed; "I must stay here till the morning, atleast. " And finding a kind of recess in the rocks, I crept in. Thenit occurred to me to take off my boot; so opening my knife, I hacked atthe leather till I succeeded in getting my foot free. 

This, after the first sudden rush of pain, was a great comfort. I felteasier and brighter, and lay down to sleep in a happier frame of mind, intending to make a fresh start as soon as daylight appeared. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

GLORIOUS NEWS. 

Many times during the night the pain and the cold wakened me; but Icontrived to get some sleep, for which I fell much better in themorning. To my dismay, however, I found it impossible to walk; myankle had swollen considerably, and the pain of putting my foot to theground made me cry out in anguish. 

Yet, unless I wished to starve, something I must do. Unbuckling mysword, and hiding it in the recess, I began to crawl along, trailing myinjured foot carefully. It was slow work, and I felt faint and dizzy, not only from my hurts, but also from want of food. 

Feeling sure that the Spaniards had by this time retired, I ventured tocall for help, though little expecting to obtain it. I cried aloud, both in Spanish and in the native patois, but received no answer. Again I crawled on, but now even move slowly than at first; and when Iagain tried to shout, my voice seemed weak and quavering. My strengthwas nearly exhausted, when suddenly, and rather to my astonishment, Icaught sight of a man peering at me curiously from behind a rock. Hewas evidently a Spaniard, and an ugly customer. He wore a long beard, a half-healed scar disfigured one side of his face, and on his head wasjauntily set a small cap decked with gay-coloured ribbons. On hiscoming forward I saw that he was dressed in the most grotesque manner, and heavily armed. 

"By St. Philip, " I muttered softly, "I should have done better to givemyself up to the soldiers! Surely this fellow is the prince ofruffians. "

He stood a moment, leaning on his gun and regarding me with curiosity. 

"I don't know who you are, " said I irritably, "but if you have a sparkof human sympathy, you will give me what help you can. "

"Are you hurt?" he asked; and the cool tone in which he spoke made meangry beyond measure. 

Then he drew a step nearer, saying, "Perhaps the señor will give me hispistols; the mountain air makes one suspicious. "

"Take them, " I cried, "and anything else you desire; but get me somefood and drink, and I will pay you well. "

"Ah, " exclaimed the fellow, with renewed interest, "the señor has moneyon him! I had better mind that also. There are lawless people in themountains, " and he grinned knowingly at me. 

"I have no money here, " I answered, "but I will pay you well to get mecarried to Lima. "

"That is a long way, " he observed cautiously. "No doubt the señor hasrings or some articles of jewellery?"

"I don't possess a single valuable except this, " said I, producing thesilver key, "and that I must not part with. "

On seeing the key the fellow's manner changed instantly. 

"How did you get that?" he asked. "Are you one of us?"

The question could hardly be considered a compliment, but it assured meboth of safety and of good treatment. 

"If you belong to the Order of the Silver Key, " I remarked, "andrecognize the authority of Raymon Sorillo, all is well. He is myfriend, and will give me shelter. "

"The chief is in the mountains, señor, and not far off. I will gethelp, and take you to him. Meanwhile, eat a little coca; it will keepup your strength. I shall not be long gone. "

"Thanks, " said I, taking some of the coca, and chuckling to myself atthis unexpected stroke of good fortune. 

The fellow was as good as his word. He returned shortly with threeIndians, armed like himself, and dressed in the same grotesque way. They were all sturdy fellows, and two of them, raising me gently fromthe ground, carried me in their arms with the greatest ease. 

Every step took me farther from the main track, and into a wilder partof the mountains, till at last my bearers stopped in a romantic ravine. There were several huts dotted about in an irregular ring, but most ofthe men were in the open, seated round a blazing fire. 

Three-fourths of the band were pure Indians, some were mulattoes, whilea few were Spaniards of the lowest type. They looked what they were, bandits and outlaws, and I must say that my acquaintance of the morningwas not the most villainous of them. They formed a striking company, quite in keeping with the gloomy grandeur of their home, shut in onevery side by overhanging rocks and towering mountains. 

"Who is that?" suddenly roared a deep voice, and I saw the giganticleader stride from the ring of men. Approaching us, he looked me fullin the face. 

"A stranger?" cried he. "Why have you brought him here?"

"I must have changed much since we last met, " I interposed. "But ifyou don't remember me, you will doubtless remember the present you gaveme, " and I showed him the silver key. 

He looked at me again, and this time with a gleam of recognition. 

"I know you now!" he cried. --"Make way there. Room for an honouredguest--room for the son of Don Eduardo!"

The name carried no meaning to the Spanish brigands; but the Indiansreceived it with a great shout, for they knew how greatly my father hadsuffered in his efforts to make their lives easier. They would havepressed round me to touch my hand, but the chief waved them back, saying I wanted food and rest. They made a space beside the fire, andSorillo himself attended to my injuries. 

"No bones broken, " said he, after making an examination with as muchskill as a surgeon. "We have only to reduce this swelling of theankle. You can make yourself comfortable for a fortnight, at least. Now you must have some food, and then we'll talk. "

Now, I have no wish to give you a false impression of Raymon Sorillo. He was a wild, lawless man, who had passed his life in fighting againstthe Spanish government. He had extraordinary courage and ability, andno man of his band was ever known to question an order issued by him. He had himself founded the Order of the Silver Key, and it was alwaysmy father's opinion that, but for the coming of San Martin, he would intime have transformed Peru into an Indian kingdom. I am at leastcertain that his ambition tended in that direction. 

When the war broke out, numerous desperadoes flocked to him, and he washeld responsible for many acts of cruelty. Whether he was deserving ofblame I cannot say. José held him to be cruel, and he generally hadthat reputation. Perhaps it was only a case of giving a dog a badname. However that may be, it is certain he had a high opinion of myfather, and for his sake was exceedingly kind to me. But for him Imight have lain long enough in the Spanish fortress, or perished in thesandy coast deserts. Another service he did, which we only heard ofafterwards, and then by accident, was the guarding of my mother. Fromthe time of my escape till the withdrawal of the Royalists from Lima, several of his men, unknown to her, kept ward over the hacienda. Theyhad received strict orders to protect its mistress against everydanger, even at the risk of their lives. In case of anythingoccurring, one was to rouse the natives belonging to the order in Lima, while another rode post-haste to the chief. 

Remembering these things, and others not here set down, I can hardlyjudge this remarkable man without bias; but even his most bitterenemies could not truly say he was wholly bad. And it may be statedhere that during my stay in the ravine I was treated like a prince. The best of everything was set before me, my slightest wish was law, and even the fiercest of the white men, forming a small minority of theband, were compelled to behave peaceably in my presence. 

After I had eaten and slept for a time, I told the chief the story Ihad heard from the young Spanish officer, Santiago Mariano, concerningmy father, and asked his opinion. 

"I would build no hopes on that, " said he, shaking his headthoughtfully. "If your father is alive, we shall find him at Callao;but I doubt it. "

"The governor was expected to capitulate when I left Lima last, " Iremarked. 

"Yes; his provisions must be gone by now. Your San Martin is an oldwoman. Why did he allow Canterac to escape? My men and I have beenmarched about from place to place just where we could do no good. Ishall not trouble to obey orders any more. We are not children to betreated thus. "

Sorillo was very sore on the subject, and returned to it over and overagain. In the evening one of the band arrived with the informationthat Colonel Miller had sent out search-parties to look for me, andthat three men were waiting at the entrance to the ravine. 

"Tell them, " said the chief, "that Don Juan Crawford is with me. Hehas sprained his ankle very badly, and cannot move for several days;otherwise he is unhurt. As soon as he is well enough we will take himhome. "

"I wish the colonel would let my mother know, " said I; "she would beless anxious. "

"That is a poor compliment to me, " observed Sorillo, smiling. "Mymessenger is already on his way to the hacienda with the news. I havetold him to say you are in absolutely no danger, so that your motherwill not be alarmed. "

"Then I am more than ever in your debt, " said I gratefully, for thechief's action showed a thoughtful consideration quite unexpected. 

"We shall never pay all that is owing to the son of Don EduardoCrawford, " he answered gravely. "And now let me carry you to my hut. A bed has been prepared there for you; it is a simple affair, but youwill be comfortable. "

I slept well that night. The pain had considerably decreased, and Ihad no cause for fear or anxiety. Sorillo slept in another corner ofthe hut, going out so quietly in the morning that he did not disturbme. Indeed the sun was high in the heavens when I wakened. 

The chief's messenger had not returned, and another day passed beforehe appeared; then, to my delight, he brought José with him. 

"Well, Jack, " exclaimed my old friend, on finding that I was really notmuch hurt, "you gave Miller a fine fright. He thought you were eitherdead or carried off. His troops are back in Lima. It seems Canteracwas too good for you. "

"He flung half his army at us, " I responded rather sulkily, for onedoes not like being reminded of a beating. "It must have been a matterof ten to one. But never mind that. What news do you bring from Lima?How is my mother? and how are events moving there?"

"Your mother is well, and sends her love to you, and events are shapingjust as we could wish them to. We are masters of Callao. "

"Then the forts have fallen? O José, tell me quickly--I am burningwith excitement--was my father there?"

"Keep cool!" said he, smiling; "I don't want you to throw yourself intoa fever. Yes, we found your father there. "

"Thank God for that!" I murmured reverently. "You can tell me the restat your leisure. "

"There isn't much to tell, " he replied. "It seems that your father wassuddenly surrounded in the mountains by a body of regulars, and orderedto submit. Taken by surprise, there was nothing else to do; but whilehe stood hesitating, some one--not the captain in charge--shot himdown, and he remembers nothing more till he found himself in Callao. The governor, La Mar, happens to be a kind-hearted fellow; so he hadyour father's wound dressed, gave him the most comfortable cell, andaltogether treated him so well that, in spite of a long illness, he isentirely recovered. "

"This is better and better, José! I hope we shall have a chance ofdoing La Mar a good turn. "

"Your father will be in a position to see to that, as San Martin hasalready made him a member of the government. "

"That's all right then. --By-the-bye, have you seen Montilla?"

"Yes. The old fox plays the game well. He is delighted--so hesays--to be able to hand over the estates, which he was keeping intrust for you, to the rightful owner. "

"Do you think my father believes him?"

"I can't say. Your mother doesn't; neither do I. "

"Nor I. "

We remained silent for some minutes, when, Sorillo joining us, I toldhim the good news. At first he did not seem to comprehend. When hedid, I thought he would take leave of his senses. Even José, who wasnot given to judging by outward show, was impressed by the man'sgenuine pleasure. 

But the grand event took place some days later, when my father himselfcame to remove me to Lima. Sorillo marshalled his Indians at the mouthof the pass, and they escorted him up the ravine in a triumphalprocession, amidst enthusiastic cries of "Long live Don EduardoCrawford! long live the Indians' friend!"

There is not much to tell about our meeting. It was all very simple, though I suppose there were not at that moment two happier people inPeru. My father was exceptionally loving and kind-hearted, but henever made a fuss, while my English blood kept me from being toodemonstrative. 

"Well, Jack, my boy, " he exclaimed, giving me a warm grip of the hand, "I reckon you never expected to see me again?"

"Well, father, I had heard it was possible you were alive, but I hardlydared hope so. "

As José said, he was looking very well, considering the circumstances. His cheeks were thinner, and had lost their colour; his hair had turnedgray; he seemed less robust than formerly; but his mind was brisk andalert, and his eyes retained their old fire. 

Sorillo would have kept him awhile as an honoured guest; but he wasanxious to return, and the carriage waited at the foot of themountains. On one point, however, the guerilla chief would not bedenied. Leaving the Spaniards and mulattoes in the ravine, he insistedon accompanying us, with his Indians, to Lima, and my father did notlike to refuse him. From the ravine they carried me on a comfortablelitter to the foot of the mountains, where José had stayed with thecarriage. Then forming up in front, they marched along singing andcheering for Don Eduardo Crawford. 

We slept that night in a deserted hacienda, and arrived at our homenext day. José had ridden forward to inform my mother of her comingvisitors, so that she might be able to provide them with food and drink. 

It was a grand home-coming for me, and a great triumph for my father. Though not a vain man, the incident pleased him, because it showed thatthe people for whom he had suffered so much were grateful for hisefforts to do them good. 

As the journey had made me rather excited, I took no part in therejoicings which were kept up through the night; but after breakfastthe Indians took their departure, and the noise of their cheering mighthave been heard at the other end of the town. 

"It's rather rough on you, Jack, " laughed my father, coming into myroom; "but now you will have a chance of a little quiet. "

"I am not sure of that, " observed my mother, who was looking from awindow: "here are two cavaliers crossing the park. By the way theyride, I should say they are Englishmen. "

"Is one a big, handsome man?" I asked. 

"Well, yes, he is certainly big!"

"That is O'Brien, then; and the other most probably is the colonel. "

I was not mistaken. In a short time Colonel Miller and his friend werein the room, and each in turn shook me heartily by the hand. 

"We hardly expected to see you again so soon, " said the colonel, laughing. "We thought Canterac had taken a fancy to your company. Ihope there is no permanent injury to the foot?"

"Oh no, colonel; only I shan't be able to do any more mountain climbingyet awhile. "

"There's none to do, " broke in O'Brien; "we've taken to dancinginstead. "

"I shall not be able even to join in that for some time. "

"No? What a pity! We are enjoying ourselves immensely, though itseems rather an odd way of carrying on a war. "

"The general perhaps considers that his troops require rest, " suggestedmy mother. 

"Even so, staying here is a great mistake, " said the colonel. "We aregiving the Royalists time to recover their strength, and we shallsuffer for it later on. Unfortunately the general appears to thinkthat Lima is Peru. "

"Not the general only, " remarked my father; "many of his officers wouldbe sorry to exchange Lima for the mountains. "

"That is so, " admitted O'Brien frankly. "The truth of the matter is, the citizens have treated us too well. They have made us socomfortable that we wish to stay here as long as possible. "

"In that case, " said my mother, smiling, "we must steel our heartsagainst you. "

"And drive us into the wilderness again!" laughed O'Brien gaily. "Señora, you will not be so cruel?"

"I will not begin to-day, " she replied merrily, "because I hope youwill stay and dine with us. To-morrow--"

"Ah! let us think of to-morrow when it comes; to-day we will enjoyourselves. "

"A pleasant creed, " remarked my father, "though more often than not itleads to ruin. I shall begin to think you are falling a victim to ourSouth American vice. "

"What is that?"

"Never to do to-day what can be put off till to-morrow. "

"That is exactly what we are doing, " remarked the colonel, "and I quiteagree with you that it is not a paying game, especially in time of war. A chance once missed never presents itself again. "

"An excellent reason for accepting Donna Maria's gracious invitation, "laughed O'Brien. "Colonel, I congratulate you on your powers ofargument. "

Although talking in this bantering way, it must not be thought that hewas really in favour of remaining idle; but he was a soldier, and hadto obey orders, however much he disliked them. 

My father, being a member of the government, was in a much worseposition, as many held him responsible in a measure for the lazy way inwhich the war was being conducted. Really he had no power over thearmy at all, and could not on his own authority have moved a section ofrecruits. 

O'Brien had spoken truly in saying that the officers had taken todancing instead of climbing. All the chief families opened their doorsto them, and our neighbour, Montilla, who had so suddenly beenconverted to our side, gave a ball more brilliant than even the oldestinhabitant could remember. 

Thus the days passed into weeks; my ankle grew strong and well, I wasable to resume my duties, and still there was no sign of moving. Weheld possession of Lima and Callao, but on the other side of themountains the Royalists did as they pleased. 

"I hope, " remarked my father more than once, "that when we wish to movewe shall be able to do so. "

CHAPTER XVII. 

DUTY FIRST. 

As far as we in Peru were concerned, the winter of 1821-22 passedwithout disturbance; but Colonel Miller busied himself in drilling thenew regiment of Peruvians which had been placed under his command. Ashe had made me his aid-de-camp, we were much together, and he paidfrequent visits to our house, where he was always gladly welcomed. 

Owing to my father's office, I saw a great deal at this time of theprotector, who treated me with extreme kindness. Although such a greatsoldier, he had no love for war, and planned to bring about the realindependence of the country without fighting. 

"I do not wish the Peruvians to kill each other, " he repeatedlydeclared. "I wish them to live at peace with each other; and wheneverthey are ready to do that I will step aside, so that they may choosewhatever kind of government they please. "

My father, who admired him greatly, several times pointed out thedangers that loomed ahead. 

"You are reckoning without Bolivar, " said he. "He has already driventhe Spaniards from Venezuela and Colombia, and is steadily pushing theminto Peru. He will follow them and mix himself up with our affairs. He is mad with ambition, and you will find there is not room enough forboth of you in one country. "

"In that case I will go away, " answered San Martin, with a sad smile. "I am here, not for my own good, but for that of Peru. "

"After bearing the heat and burden of the day, you will give up yourjust reward? It is monstrous!"

"I seek no reward, Crawford; I seek only the happiness of Peru. Inorder to gain that I shall willingly sacrifice myself. "

"We will not permit it, general!"

"You must, because it is your duty. Having made South Americaindependent of Spain, it would be sheer wickedness to turn and rendeach other. Let Bolivar have the glory. I shall have a quietconscience. But it seems to me that we are giving substance toshadows. Bolivar will join hands with me. We shall establish a stronggovernment in Peru; then having done our duty, each will retire. "

My father shook his head, saying, "You are mistaken; General Bolivar'sambition is to make all South America into one country, with himself atthe head. Nothing less than that will content him. "

"Then he will fail, " answered San Martin. "Let us hope he will notdrag the country to ruin with him. "

About this time, March 1822, news reached us that our forces at Ica hadmet with a terrible defeat. By a swift and daring march, the Spanishgeneral, Canterac, had thrown his army against them with startlingsuddenness. They tried to retreat, but, being attacked in the night, were cut to pieces, and an enormous quantity of stores passed into thehands of the Royalists. The news cast a gloom over the city, and manyweak-kneed Patriots lost their heads entirely. Unless we could obtainhelp from General Bolivar, they cried, our cause was undone. My fatherdid not believe this; he distrusted Bolivar, and made no scruple ofsaying so. 

"Still we must find out just what he means to do, " remarked San Martinone evening. 

"His intentions are evident, " replied my father, rather bitterly. "Hemeans to make himself master of the country, and to push you aside. "

"I think you misjudge him; but in any case I place the happiness ofPeru before personal ambition. --By the way, " he added, turning to me, "have you ever seen this remarkable man?"

"No, general. "

"Would you like to do so? Ah, I see you would. Well, you shall. I amgoing to meet him at Guayaquil; you shall go with me, unless yourfather objects. "

"I have no objection, general. It will do him good, by opening hiseyes!"

"Very well; let him be ready to-morrow morning. I will let ColonelMiller know of the arrangement. "

"Jack, " exclaimed my father when San Martin had gone, "this is a greathonour for you. I don't expect the protector will take any one else, except Guido, who goes with him everywhere. I almost envy you, my boy, for San Martin and Bolivar are certainly the two most wonderful men inSouth America. "

"Will there be any danger?" asked my mother. 

"I think not; the visit is a friendly one. "

The next day, having put on my gaudiest uniform, blue with red facings, white edging, and abundance of gold lace, I went over to Callao, meeting the general and his "aid" just as they were embarking on theschooner _Macedonia_. As usual, the general looked grave and ratherstern. He was very silent too, and as the schooner slipped from hermoorings he disappeared within his cabin. Guido, who shared a cabinwith me, was far less reserved than his chief. 

"This is a fool's errand, " said he brusquely. "The protector is justplaying into Bolivar's hands. "

"He knows what he is doing, I think. "

"That makes me the more angry. But for him the Spaniards would stillbe in possession of Peru; and now, rather than make a bother, he'll letthe other fellow take the prize. "

"What would you have him do?"

"Do?" cried he excitedly; "why, stand his ground. I would say, 'I havedone all the hard work, I have made Peru free, and I am going to bemaster of the country. Let Bolivar or any one else come here at hisperil!'"

"Then there would be a three-cornered fight, and the Spaniards wouldhave the best of it!"

"That wouldn't be San Martin's fault. Do you think Bolivar cares howthe country suffers as long as he comes out on top? Not he!"

"If that is so, San Martin is certainly playing the better part. "

"The better part? a fig for the better part! He can beat Bolivar andthe Spanish put together if he chooses. He is far and away the finestgeneral in South America. "

"And one of the best men, if he acts as you say he will. "

But Guido was much too angry to take that view. When I added thatwithout Bolivar's help we could hardly reduce the Spaniards tosubmission, he laughed scornfully and turned away. 

On the evening of July 25, 1822, the _Macedonia_ dropped anchor in theharbour of Guayaquil, and immediately afterwards two of Bolivar'sofficers came on board with a friendly greeting from their chief. 

"Caramba!" muttered Guido beneath his breath, "it makes me mad! It'slike the old custom of garlanding a victim before offering him up as asacrifice!"

That night we slept on the schooner, disembarking the next day. Theroute was lined by Bolivar's soldiers, who saluted stiffly, and bythousands of people cheering wildly for their renowned visitor. 

"There it is, you see, " whispered Guido; "the people want San Martin. If they had their way, Guayaquil would be a part of Peru, with him aspresident. "

"But they haven't, " said I, "and Bolivar has; which makes all thedifference. "

"Look!" exclaimed he contemptuously, as the carriage stopped; "isn't itlike a circus show?"

In front of a house stood a group of officers dressed in the mostmagnificent and gorgeous uniforms. As San Martin stepped from thecarriage, one of them, moving a pace forward, embraced him. 

"That's Bolivar!" whispered Guido, and I gazed at the great captainwith intense interest. 

Perhaps I was prejudiced against him, but he did not come up to myexpectations. He was short, thin, and narrow-chested, his skin wassallow, his high but narrow forehead was deeply lined. His hair wasblack and curly; he had thick lips and beautiful white teeth, which hewas fond of showing. His eyes were large and black but deeply sunken;now bright and sparkling, again dull and glassy. His features, to meat least, were harsh and unpleasing; but he was evidently a man ofgreat energy, to whom action was as the breath of life. 

Arm in arm the two leaders entered the house, Guido and I followingwith Bolivar's staff. The saloon presented a striking scene, beingfilled with officers in brilliant uniforms and by beautifully-dressedladies. A young girl, stepping forward, greeted San Martin, and placeda laurel wreath of gold upon his head. 

"What rubbish!" muttered Guido testily. "Does she think he is as greata mummer as Bolivar?"

"Hush!" I whispered, not wishing his outspoken comments to be heard. "See, he is taking it off. "

We could not hear what he said, but he spoke pleasantly, and beckoningto Guido, placed the wreath in his hand. 

"Take great care of this, " said he; "I value it highly for the sake ofthe giver. "

"Bolivar would have worn a dozen, one on top of the other, " growledGuido. 

Presently the two chiefs proceeded to an inner room, where theyremained alone for nearly two hours, while we chatted with the Bolivianofficers, several of whom were Englishmen. 

At length the door opened, the leaders came out, and San Martinaccompanied Bolivar to the street, where they parted with a show ofcordial friendship. Directly afterwards the assembly dispersed, and wewere left in peace. The next day they had a much longer interview, andat its close I read in San Martin's face that he had resolved tosacrifice himself for the good of Peru. 

"Guido, " said he quietly, "let the baggage be taken aboard. They aregiving a grand dinner in my honour this evening; as soon as I can getaway, we sail for Callao. "

The banquet, which was held in the house set apart for Bolivar, was onthe most magnificent scale. The room was bright with showy uniforms;every one appeared to be covered with stars and crosses anddecorations. I almost regretted that my silver key was not danglingoutside my tunic. 

San Martin sat in the chair of honour at the right of our host. Of allthe good things set before him he ate and drank little, his thoughtsbeing evidently far removed from the banqueting-room. 

This was the first time I had been at a public dinner, and but foranxiety on our leader's account, I should have enjoyed it immensely. Presently, when the servants had removed the dishes, Bolivar filled hisglass with wine, and stood up. Instantly the buzz of conversationceased; the officers gazed intently at their chief, who was about topropose a toast. I listened too, wondering if my ears were playing mefalse. As to Guido, I thought that, in his scornful contempt, he wouldhave kicked the table over. 

"Gentlemen, " said our host, "to the two greatest men of SouthAmerica--General San Martin and myself!"

There was a round of cheering, while Guido and I hardly dared look ateach other, and not at all at our chief. 

Soon afterward we adjourned to the ballroom, but did not stay long, SanMartin saying, "Let us go; I cannot stand this riot!"

Quietly bidding Bolivar farewell, we followed one of the highofficials, who let us out through a private door, and escorted us tothe quay. There we boarded the schooner, which in less than an hourwas under way. The protector went straight to his cabin withoutspeaking. He was bitterly disappointed at the result of the interview, but all that passed his lips on the subject was, "Bolivar is not theman we took him to be. " These words were said as we paced the decktogether next morning, and they were spoken more to himself than to us. 

"It has happened as I predicted, " remarked Guido that afternoon, "andthe rest will follow. As soon as he has put things in order, he willleave Peru to make room for Bolivar. And he will not let people knowthe reason; he will even make Bolivar's path smoother. "

"You would plant it thick with thorns, I suppose?"

"I would plant it with naked swords!"

"Ah, Guido, " I cried, "that is not San Martin's teaching!"

"No, " said he surlily; "it's a lesson of my own composing. "

The voyage passed uneventfully, and on the twentieth of August the_Macedonia_ once more sailed into the Bay of Callao. 

During our absence a riot had taken place in Lima; but the peoplereceived San Martin enthusiastically, coming down in thousands to theport, and escorting him to his country house in triumph. 

I said little of what had taken place to any one except my father, andhe was able to judge of things by other signs. The protector, who toldhim Bolivar had agreed to help Peru with troops, worked feverishly dayand night, until the opening of the first Peruvian Congress. Thenremoving his sash of authority, he resigned his office, and formallyhanded over the care of the country to the new Parliament. That sameevening my father and I called at his house, where we found Guido, everfaithful, waiting in the anteroom. 

"Where is the general?" asked my father. 

"Here, Crawford!" answered San Martin, opening the door of an innerroom. "Is anything wrong?"

"No, general, but I fear there soon will be. Do you know it iswhispered in the town that you are about to leave Peru?"

"The rumour is correct, my friend, as I have just been telling Guido. No, it is useless to talk; my mind is made up. I can do the country nomore good. "

For a long time both Guido and my father tried to prevail upon him tostay, but in vain. 

"The world will regard you as a deserter!" urged Guido. 

"What matters it as long as I know the truth? I care not for theapplause of the world, my friends, nor fear its frowns. I leave mywork unfinished, it is true, but others will finish it and reap theglory. Besides, Peru will be the better for my absence. "

"No, no!" exclaimed my father earnestly. "The people love you andtrust you. They will uphold your authority. "

San Martin held out his hand, saying, --

"You are a true friend, Crawford, but you are a true patriot and ashrewd man as well. Now listen to me. Without help it will take twoyears at least to subdue the Spaniards. That will mean two years ofmisery. Do you follow me?"

"Perfectly. "

"With help the war can be brought to an end in six months. TheChilians can do no more, and we can look only to Bolivar. Now, do youimagine that he and I can run in double harness?"

My father shook his head sorrowfully. 

"Of course not. Bolivar is a great man, a remarkable man; but he isambitious, and will brook no rival. Now, suppose I remain. It will bedifficult to avoid strife, and the country will be plunged back intoits old condition of slavery. Do you think that San Martin will give aday of delight to the common enemy? No, my friend; if only Peruretains its independence, I care nothing for self. Let men call mewhat they please. The path of duty lies plain before me; I am going towalk in it. Let Bolivar have the glory; it is but a breath. I shallnot say this publicly; neither will you. I am broken in health; letthat do for the present. In years to come, perhaps, the world willrecognize my good faith; if not, never mind!"

Even after that my father endeavoured to dissuade him from going, buthis efforts were useless. 

"Let me wish you good-bye, Crawford, " said he. "I need hardly counselyou to accept the help which Bolivar offers. The man may not pleaseyou, but--country first!--Good-bye, my boy; if you make half as good aman as your father, you will not do amiss. "

We grasped his hand for the last time, and leaving Guido with him, wentinto the road, mounted our horses, and rode slowly homeward. 

Next day it became known that San Martin had left Peru for ever, andinstantly men's tongues were loosed in a babel of talk. Some fewjudged him rightly; but for the most part his splendid services wereforgotten, and with sickening haste people turned their gaze towardBolivar, the new sun. 

"There is a lesson for you, Jack, worth heeding, " remarked my father. "If only these people knew the truth!"

"They wouldn't understand it!" said I hotly. "The idea of a man makingsuch a sacrifice is beyond them. You know I have sometimes thought thegeneral made a big mistake in the conduct of the war, but he atoned foreverything last night. He looked simply splendid when he talked aboutgiving up everything for duty. "

"Ah!" exclaimed my father thoughtfully, "with all his battles to lookback upon, he never won a greater victory than he did last evening. Itmust almost have broken his heart, Jack, but he did not whimper. "

Few spoke in this strain, and I was disappointed that even José tooksides with the majority. Sentiment, beyond his love for us, did notappeal to him; he looked only on the practical side of things. 

"I shouldn't have thought San Martin would have thrown up the sponge, "said he. "I gave him credit for more pluck than that. They do say inthe town that he was keen on making himself king or emperor. "

"A pack of rubbish!" I cried. 

"Well, " said José, "I would have seen the thing through, anyhow. Itwon't be pleasant for your father, either, when Bolivar gets thewhip-hand. San Martin's friends will be in Bolivar's black books. I'll guarantee Montilla has written to him already. "

"You aren't in a very good temper this morning, José, " said I, with alaugh. 

"No; because I am looking a long way ahead, and see things. Is yourfather going to keep in office?"

"I expect so. He may be able to do the country a little good. "

"And himself a lot of harm! Shall you resign your commission?"

"How can I? the Spaniards are still in the field. "

"And will take a lot of beating yet! 'Twould have answered better ifthe Peruvians had done the job by themselves. "

I might have mentioned that if they found it so difficult with the aidof others, they could hardly have done it alone; but dear old José wastoo angry for argument, so I let the subject drop. 

Among the officers opinion was divided, but no one had much to say onthe matter. It almost seemed as if they feared to express their realopinion in case of future trouble. Colonel Miller, however, spoke hismind freely, and so did the other Englishmen with him. 

"I am sorry San Martin has gone, " said he; "but my duty is plain. I aman officer in the army of Peru, and must obey orders from thegovernment. If they give the chief command to Bolivar, why, I shallfight under him, just as I have done under San Martin. That's one goodthing about soldiering--you always know where you are. "

"Humph!" said José, on hearing the remark, "I'm not so sure that thecolonel's right. In my opinion there's more than one soldier just atpresent wondering if he hadn't better join the other party again. Another affair like the one at Ica would send them flying to Canteracin scores. The great thing with some of them is to be on the winningside. "

As soon as San Martin had left Peru, Bolivar sent a message, offeringthe aid of his troops; but the government declined all assistance. Anew spirit seemed to enter into the nation: the people declared thecountry would fight its own battles, and preparations to meet theSpaniards were eagerly pushed on. 

What came of them we shall shortly see. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

DARK DAYS. 

"I have decided to leave you in Lima, Crawford, to help Videla with thesecond battalion. I have good reasons for doing so, " continued thecolonel, observing my disappointed look; "and, anyhow, you are well outof this expedition. I don't expect much from it. "

The expedition of which Colonel Miller spoke had been planned on alarge scale for the purpose of crushing the enemy in the south, and thefirst battalion of the Peruvian Legion formed part of it. Naturally Ihad quite looked forward to sailing with it, and was not at allpleased, therefore, to be left behind. I had many friends, some ofthem not much older than myself, among the officers of the firstbattalion, and on the morning of the embarkation I went over to Callaoto see them off. They were delighted at the thought of active service, and of course chaffed me unmercifully. 

"Take care of the town, Juan, " said one; "we shall want it when we comeback. "

"Some day, when you are a man, we will take you with us, " laughedEnsign Alzura, a merry, round-faced youngster of sixteen; "but we musthave seasoned men for this trip, dear boy. "

"Should the Spaniards arrive while we're away, ask them to wait tillour return, " remarked another. 

"I don't wonder you are so excited, " said I coolly; "I felt the samebefore I knew what a battle is really like. "

"Bravo, Crawford!" cried the colonel, who had joined us unperceived;"that's a round shot for them. They haven't heard the whistle of thebullets yet, eh? Well, good-bye; it's time you were getting ashore. You'll hear news of us from time to time. "

"Good news too, I hope, colonel. --Good-bye, Zuviria, Alzura, and all ofyou. I hope you've shipped a schoolmaster, " and with that parting shotI ran down to the quay. 

The Peruvians were on board the _O'Higgins_; but there were severalother vessels, and presently they all stood out of the bay amidst aregular salvo of cheering from the spectators. 

I returned to Lima feeling rather gloomy, but Lieutenant-ColonelVidela, who commanded our second battalion, gave me little time forbrooding. Fresh recruits were coming in every day, and the work ofattending to them kept me employed for weeks. There was still aPatriot army encamped outside Lima, but it did nothing, though who wasto blame I could not say. 

About the end of the year, vague yet disquieting rumours began tocirculate in the city. It was said that our troops in the south hadmet with defeat, had been cut to pieces and practically swept out ofexistence. The victorious Spaniards, uniting all their forces, weremaking ready for a swoop on Lima. Everything was lost!

Don Felipe brought us the news, and it was easy to see, in spite of histalk, that it did not displease him. 

"We shall have to call in Bolivar now, " said he, "or make peace withthe viceroy. Of course you and I will suffer. Our estates will beconfiscated; we shall probably be thrown into prison; but we are goodpatriots, and will not shrink from our duty. "

"If the others agree with me, " replied my father, "we shall neithercall in Bolivar nor make peace. There is still an army left!"

"Just so, but we cannot trust it. The troops are almost in openrebellion, and this news will not quiet them. "

"We do not yet know that it is true. "

"I am sure of it, " said our neighbour hastily. "I have--that is tosay, there can be no doubt of it. "

A week or two later--January 20, 1823, to be precise--there walked intothe quarters of the second battalion a young officer. His face waswhite and drawn, his eyes were sunken; he looked so pitifully weak andill that at first I failed to recognize him. 

"Well, Crawford, " he exclaimed, "am I as changed as all that? Don'tyou know your old chum Alzura when you see him?"

"Alzura?" I echoed, aghast. 

"All that is left of him. "

"Where is the first battalion?"

Spreading his hands out dramatically, he said, "Haven't you heard?Don't you know what has happened at Torata and Moquegua?"

"I have heard nothing but some very dark rumours, " I replied uneasily. 

"They cannot be darker than the truth. The army has been destroyed, and the battalion with it. "

"And the colonel?"

"Oh, he was in another district with the light company. But I'll tellyou all about it. We had a wretched voyage, and arrived at Arica halfdead. After that we sat down for three weeks doing nothing, whenAlvarado, who was in chief command, sent the colonel north with thelight company. A lucky thing for them, too!"

"Go on!" said I impatiently. 

"Well, at last we moved, and marched as far as Torata. Do you know theplace at all?"

"Oh yes; it's a few miles from Moquegua, isn't it?"

"That's it. Well, the Spaniards were at Torata, and we tried to turnthem out, but failed. Then they attacked, and we were beaten. It wassimply awful. The legion fought like a battalion of heroes. Every onepraised us; but praise won't bring the dead to life. We broke twocavalry charges, and stood our ground till there wasn't a cartridgeleft. "

"Then you retreated?"

"Some of us did, not many! We left fifteen of our officers there andthree-fourths of the battalion, all dead or dangerously wounded. Alvarado took us back to Moquegua; but the Spaniards caught us again. The second defeat was worse than the first, and when the battle wasover there was no army left. As to the battalion--! O Juan, isn't itawful? La Rosa, Tarramona, Escobar, Rivero--all gone! I shouldthink, " he added, with a bitter laugh, "I must have been seniorofficer. "

It was, indeed, a terrible story. I could hardly realize that of allmy high-spirited young friends who had sailed from Callao this was theonly one to return. 

"How did you get back?" I asked, after a time. 

"With General Martinez. We embarked at Ilo, while General Alvaradowent on to Iquiqui. The game's up in that part of the country, Juan!"

"Oh, nonsense!" I replied brusquely. "We aren't going to lose heartover a couple of defeats. "

Of course the news soon spread, and the people, especially thesoldiers, were wild with anger. They said it was the fault of thegovernment, and called for fresh rulers. Some advised sending forBolivar, while a few prominent citizens even talked of coming to termswith the enemy. 

One morning, toward the end of February, Videla called a council of theofficers belonging to his battalion. He looked pale, but firm anddetermined, as if he had resolved on some particular course. 

When we had taken our seats, he rose and said, "Señors, I have calledyou together to discuss an important proposal. Affairs, as you know, are in a bad state; the country is in disorder, and the enemy aretriumphing everywhere. Under these circumstances, the chiefs of thearmy have decided to force the hands of the government. To-morrow thetroops will march to Lima and demand that a president shall beappointed with full powers. Now, I will have no part or lot in thismatter. I call it treason. If the government choose to resign, welland good; if they resist, my sword, at least, is at their service. "

A round of cheering greeted his remarks, and one after another theofficers sprang up, pledging themselves to support him. 

"Thank you, " said he quietly; "I knew you would not fail me. Nothingwill be done until the morning. Then, when the order to march isissued, I shall command you to stand still. "

"Suppose they use force, colonel?" I suggested. 

His face grew paler, but he answered steadily, "I trust they will notbe so foolish. Should they be, the battalion, will know how to defenditself. "

"Caramba!" exclaimed Alzura, when the meeting broke up, "it seems to methat the second battalion is likely to follow the first. What can wedo against an army?"

"There will be no fighting, " I answered cheerfully. "They will simplymarch without us, and the government will agree to their demands. "

I spoke as if my opinion were conclusive, but nevertheless I did notsleep comfortably that night. The troops were wakened early, breakfastwas hurried over, and then, to the sound of bugles, the variousregiments paraded. Presently they began to move, and a mounted officerdashed over to know why our battalion remained still. 

"By my orders they remain. I refuse to join in what my officers and Iregard as an act of treason, " calmly replied Videla. "We willwillingly march against the enemy, but not against our own government. "

Bending over, the officer whispered something in his ear. 

"We have counted the cost, " replied our chief, "and are not to befrightened. Let the men who are unwilling to obey me fall out; no harmwill happen to them, " said he, turning to the troop. 

Not a man moved, the brave fellows stood in their ranks, firm as rocks. Again the officer whispered to Videla, and then dashed off at fullspeed. It was, as Alzura afterwards remarked, a bad quarter of an hourfor us. If the chiefs endeavoured to force us into submission, therecould be but one result. Videla would not yield, and we could notdesert him. Perhaps the firmness of our bearing saved us; perhaps thechiefs feared the people, for the battalion was composed entirely ofPeruvians; but whatever the reason, we remained unmolested, and thearmy marched off without us. Then the men were dismissed, and wegathered in groups to chat over the incident. 

"What will happen now?" asked one fellow. 

"It is all decided, " replied Videla. "I heard last night that thegovernment will yield. Riva-Aguero is to be made president, and SantaCruz commander-in-chief. "

"And what shall we do, colonel?"

"Obey orders, " he answered, smiling. "We cannot fight for a governmentthat has resigned its powers. "

The evening proved Videla's words true. The troops, havingaccomplished their object, returned to camp, rejoicing that the countryhad a new ruler. 

"Now, " exclaimed Alzura, as we turned in for the night, "I suppose weshall see great things done!"

"New brooms sweep clean, " said I, laughing, "but unfortunately theysoon become old ones. "

However, it really did seem as if the new general intended to push onthe war in vigorous style. Preparations were made for anotherexpedition to the south; Bolivar was invited to Peru; and Sucre, hismost brilliant general, had already come. 

At this time we knew nothing of Colonel Miller; but about the end ofMarch he returned to Lima, having done more with his handful of menthan all the southern army. The stories told by officers who servedwith him filled us with envy. 

"Did you hear how we cleared the Royalists out of Arequipa?" askedCaptain Plaza. "That was a rich joke, " and he laughed even at therecollection of it. 

"Let us hear it, " said I. 

"Well, of course, it loses in the telling, but I'll do my best. Firstof all, we caught a peasant and shut him up where he could hear all andsee nothing. The poor fellow imagined we were going to shoot him as aspy. About every half-hour or so one of us would go to the colonel toreport the arrival of fresh troops, and ask where they were to camp. Then we spread our few men about the valley and kindled dozens ofblazing fires. As soon as it was dark enough, the colonel ordered theman to be brought out. "

"His face was a study, " interrupted Cordova. "He certainly expected tobe shot. "

"The colonel read him a lecture, " continued Plaza, "and wound up byoffering to spare his life on his promising to take a letter to thegovernor of Arequipa. 'But, ' said the colonel sternly, 'you are not totell what you have seen here. I want him to think we are very few innumber. Do you understand?' The fellow promised readily enough, placed the letter in his hat, mounted his horse, and rode down thevalley, counting the fires as he went. Of course he told everyRoyalist officer the truth as he believed it, and they cleared out ofthe district in double-quick time. Then we forced the governor tosupply us with forage for five hundred horses. "

"But you didn't have five hundred!"

"That was the joke. We carted the stuff to some sandhills, where apart of the force was supposed to lie in ambush. When the Royalistsreturned with large reinforcements, they wasted days, being afraid offalling into a trap. It was very funny watching their manoeuvres. "

"Then there was the officer with the flag of truce near Chala, " saidCordova. "He carried back a pretty report to his chief!"

"Yes, " said Plaza, laughing; "he believed we were just theadvance-guard of a large force. He stayed with us the night, but I'mafraid his slumbers were troubled ones. The bustle wastremendous--soldiers coming and going every few minutes. The colonelwas giving all kinds of impossible orders; in fact, you would havethought we had quite a big army there. Next morning I escorted theRoyalist a mile or so on the road. All our men were spread out, somein fatigue dress, to make him believe there were at least tworegiments. "

"That was a good trick, " laughed Alzura. 

"And the officers galloped about, shouting to the men to go to theircamps in the rear. Turning to me, the fellow exclaimed seriously, 'Itis all very well for Miller to have a couple of battalions; but we havea couple as well as he!'

"'Ah, ' said I, trying to keep a straight face, 'you keep your eyesopen, I see. I warned the colonel not to let you see so much. '"

"Did you really fool him?" asked half a dozen men in a breath. 

"Yes, and kept our position till the colonel was ready to move. If Ihad my way, Miller should be commander-in-chief. He is now the bestman in the country for the post. "

"Bravo!" cried Cordova. "As it is, I suppose we shall all be underBolivar's thumb soon. "

"I don't much care who leads, " said Alzura, "as long as we win; andit's about time something was done. The Royalists are getting a strongfollowing in the city again. "

"Bah!" exclaimed Plaza scornfully, "they're just weather-cocks, twisting about with every wind that blows--first Royalist, thenPatriot, then Royalist again! It's enough to take away one's breath. Did you hear about Camba?"

"He was one of us, " said Alzura, "went over to the Royalists, and cameback again. "

"And was appointed second in command of the Legion!"

There was a cry of amazement from every one in the room; but Plazacontinued, "It's a fact; only Miller put his foot down. 'My officersare gentlemen, ' said he. 'If you appoint this man over them they willbreak their swords, and I shall be the first to do so. ' That stoppedthe game, and Camba was pushed in somewhere else. "

"It's a wonder he hasn't changed again, " I said. 

"He is only biding his time, like a good many others. "

"I know nearly a dozen myself, " said Alzura, "and one of them is aneighbour of yours, Crawford. "

"Do you mean the fellow with the pretty daughter?" some one asked. 

"Yes. I respect the girl. She is an out-and-out Royalist, and makesno attempt to deny it; but the old man is a schemer--he runs with thehare and hunts with the hounds. "

"Don't vent your opinion too freely, my boy; Montilla has powerfulinfluence in high quarters. "

"Well, " said Alzura doggedly, "if he isn't working hard to bring backthe Royalists, I am very much mistaken. "

The young officer's words made me very uneasy. I knew little of DonFelipe's proceedings, as, although he was an occasional visitor at ourhouse, a certain coolness had sprung up between us. For this feelingit would have been difficult, perhaps, to give any particular reason. To all appearance the man had acted fairly enough; indeed, according tohis own account, he had always been my best friend. 

Still, I had very little love for him, and no respect at all. I wasrather suspicious of a man who changed sides just when it best suitedhis interests. With Rosa things were different. She was a bornRoyalist, and though I thought her views mistaken, I admired her pluckin holding so stoutly to them. 

But the idea that her father was preparing to turn his coat againworried me. True, he might win a big reward by helping the Spaniards;but in the event of discovery, he could hardly expect to escape death. I told myself the punishment would serve him right, and that thebusiness was none of mine; yet somehow I could not get rid of theuneasy feeling. If Alzura's suspicions were correct, the man might betaken and hanged at any moment. I said again it would serve him right, but the justice of his sentence would not lessen Rosa's suffering. 

All that night I lay awake thinking. I could not get the girl out ofmy head. You see, I had known her so long; we had played together likebrother and sister; she was so pretty and winsome that I hated the ideaof trouble assailing her. 

In the morning I was inclined to laugh at my fears. Every one knewthere were many people in Lima willing to welcome the Royalists, and ithad been openly stated more than once that Don Felipe Montilla had onlychanged sides to secure his property. Doubtless Alzura, knowing this, had jumped to the conclusion that he would willingly return to hisformer allegiance. 

"That is about all there is in it, " said I, feeling a little moreassured. "It is marvellous what stories some men can build up from aword here and there! If Alzura lives till the end of the war, heshould be a novelist. "

At this time I was a great deal in Lima, being employed by ColonelMiller in connection with the new expedition which Santa Cruz was tolead south. Several nights a week I slept at home, much to mother'ssatisfaction. My father continued to be busy in public matters, thoughhe had resigned his office as a protest against the invitation toBolivar. 

Now, it chanced, about a fortnight after young Alzura's disquietingtalk, that I had occasion to go late at night to Callao, and Joséoffered to accompany me. It is likely enough that my mother put theidea into his head, for though brave enough herself, she was alwaysfearful on my account. However, I was glad to avail myself of José'soffer. The night was fine, the sky was studded with stars, and themoon, nearly at the full, gave forth a splendid light. 

"You may go to bed, Antonio, " said I to the old janitor, as he openedthe gate. "We are not likely to return till morning. "

"Do you remember our first night ride to Callao?" asked José. "Therewas no need for any one to sit up for us then. "

"Yes, that I do. And the voyage in the schooner, " I added gaily. "That was an adventure, if you like! We were as near to death then, José, as ever we have been since. "

"Yes, " he said thoughtfully. "I have often wondered how we managed toescape. "

Passing through the outer gates of the park on to the highroad, wecantered our horses about a quarter of a mile, and then turned up anarrow lane which separated our property from that of Don FelipeMontilla. 

Suddenly checking his horse, José whispered, "See to your pistols, myboy; there are horsemen coming this way. "

CHAPTER XIX. 

FALSE PLAY, OR NOT?

There was no actual reason why we should feel alarmed; but Lima was anunsafe place in those days, and people who travelled at night generallywent well armed. 

As yet the bend in the road prevented us from seeing any one, butlistening intently, we distinctly heard the sounds of a horse's hoofs. 

"There's only one, José, " I whispered; and he nodded. I do not knowthat we should have taken any notice of the man, but for his efforts toconceal his identity. We came upon him suddenly, while the moon shonefull in his face, and before he had time either to draw his ponchocloser or to pull the slouch hat over his eyes. Both these things hedid quickly, but meanwhile we had seen, and a look of keen surpriseshot across José's face. Recovering himself instantly, he saidcheerfully, --

"Good-night, señor. Fine night for a ride. "

"So you seem to think, " replied the other surlily. 

"You have come from the town, I see, " said José, for we lived eastwardof Lima; "is all quiet there?"

"Why shouldn't it be? Kindly allow me to pass; I am in a hurry, "responded our morose stranger. 

"Then 'twas lucky that you knew of this short cut, " remarked José, nothing daunted by the fellow's manner. "Well, good-night, señor. Pleasant ride!" and he drew his horse aside that the stranger mightpass. 

"He isn't any too polite!" I remarked, as digging his spurs into hishorse the fellow galloped off. "He's a fine horseman, though, and hasthe air of a military man, if I'm not mistaken. "

"Yes, " agreed José; "he certainly rides like a soldier. "

"But he isn't in uniform. "

"No; he has left his uniform at home, I expect. "

"He must be pretty familiar with Lima to know this short cut. "

"I daresay he is. But didn't you recognize him? Well, I suppose it'shardly likely you would; you were only a little chap at the time, andperhaps never saw him. He's a rascal to the marrow!"

"But who is he?" I asked impatiently. 

"Pardo Lureña. "

"Lureña? Haven't I heard my father speak of him?"

"Very likely. He was one of the 'young bloods' of Peru, and, being acadet of a wealthy family, able to do much as he pleased. He wasalways a thorough ruffian, and the common people hated him like poison. His pranks, however, were hushed up by those in authority, until, forsome offence more startling than usual, your father got him clapped inprison. The Dons howled finely, but your father stood firm, and thepeople backed him up; so young Lureña had a taste of prison life. There was great excitement over it at the time. "

"What happened afterwards?"

"Lureña left Lima. He went from bad to worse, and finally joined theranks. Of course his relatives used their influence, and he was givena commission; but he never rose very high, I believe. "

"What could he be doing in Lima to-night?"

"Something rascally, I'll be bound! He may have been to the town, butI believe the last place he stopped at was over there, " and Josépointed toward Don Felipe's house. 

"You don't think there's some treachery afoot between them, do you?"

"Why not? Once a traitor, always a traitor! Montilla means to savehis property at all costs, and to pick up as much as possible in thegeneral scramble. Should the Spaniards win, your father will saygood-bye to his estates. "

"Isn't your prejudice making you a little unjust, José? Remember thatwe know nothing against Don Felipe. "

"Oh, don't we? He got the estates into his hands once, and by hook orby crook he'll get them again!"

I thought José exaggerated the danger, but this meeting with Lureña setme thinking. The fellow was evidently a Royalist soldier, and on asecret errand. If José's idea was correct, there could be only oneobject in his visiting Montilla. 

But our neighbour was not the man to compromise himself unless therewas a distinct chance of success. Had he learned any news favourableto the Royalist cause? If so, that might account for his action. 

Silently we rode through the sleeping town and along the road toCallao, where José waited at an inn while I did the business which hadbrought me to the port. The bay was filled with shipping, and men werehard at work fitting out the transports for the troops ordered south. 

"Isn't it rather risky to remove so many troops?" I asked the colonel. "Suppose the enemy should swoop down on the capital?"

"They're quite welcome to do so, " he replied, with a laugh. "Lima isof no use to us really; it's Callao that matters. "

"Are you going with them, colonel?"

"No; I stay behind with General Sucre. "

There was one question I wanted very much to ask, but it was longbefore I could muster the courage to do so. 

"Colonel, " I said at length, "I want to ask a rather queer question, but I have reasons for it. Do you think the war will end in favour ofthe Spaniards?"

"That depends, " he answered, looking at me in surprise. "It certainlywill do so if our people quarrel among themselves, which is what theenemy reckon on. That is their sheet-anchor, in fact. "

"Would a clever man think they had a chance just now?"

"Why, yes, " replied the colonel thoughtfully; "he might think theystand an excellent chance. "

"Thank you, sir, " I said, and the incident of the preceding nightloomed up larger and uglier than ever. 

Day had fairly broken when I sought José for the purpose of returninghome. I said nothing to him of my talk with the colonel, though theremembrance of it kept running through my mind. On our return I foundmy father alone, so I told him my suspicions, and asked his advice. 

"It certainly has an ugly look, Jack, " said he; "yet it may be easy ofexplanation. For Rosa's sake, I hope Montilla isn't playing false. Heis in our counsels, and knows everything that goes on, so that he couldmake the Spaniards pay high for his treachery. "

"And if he is discovered?"

"He will be shot. "

"And you couldn't save him, if you would?"

"I couldn't and wouldn't. A man may be a turncoat in good faith, but atraitor--bah! But after all, my boy, it seems to me we are hunting afox that hasn't broken cover. This Lureña, whom José recognized, is nofriend of mine; and though he was an ensign in the Royalist army yearsago, it does not follow that he is a Royalist now. Ah, I have it!"said he, in a tone of relief. 

"What--an explanation?" I asked curiously. 

"Yes; and the right one, I'll wager! It is through Lureña we get ourinformation of the enemy's doings! No doubt Montilla employs him as aspy. "

"Then why was he so put out at meeting with us?"

"Well, naturally he would not want his secret known. "

My father's idea was feasible enough, but it did not altogether satisfyme; yet what could I do? If Montilla were playing false, I seemedalmost as guilty in not denouncing him. But for Rosa's sake I couldnot bring myself to act; and after all, it was merely a matter ofsuspicion. 

About three days before the sailing of the expedition I rode home tospend the evening. José met me at the outer gate, and I saw in amoment that something had happened. 

"What is it?" I asked. "Have you come to meet me?"

"Yes. Send your horse on; I want to talk to you. "

We walked across the park out of earshot, when José said in a whisper, as if still fearful of being overheard, --

"He is here again. "

"He!" said I; "who?"

"Lureña. He went into Don Felipe's house half an hour ago. "

"Well, what of that? You know what my father said. "

I spoke boldly, as if there could be nothing in the business; but Josésmiled grimly. 

"Look here, Jack, " said he at length, "we can easily settle thisaffair. If Montilla is innocent, there's no harm done; if he'sguilty--well, better for one to suffer than thousands. "

"What do you propose?"

"To waylay this Lureña. He is almost certain to have papers on himwhich will tell all we wish to know. "

"I can't do it, José. Don Felipe is Rosa's father, and I am reluctantto bring trouble to her. "

"Would you rather sacrifice your own father and mother?"

"How dare you ask such a question, José?" I cried angrily. 

"I dare anything for my master, " said he, unmoved. "If the Spaniardswin, your father is doomed, and you also, while your mother will be abeggar. See, Jack, I have no right to speak thus, but I can't help it. With or without your help, I intend getting to the bottom of thismatter. "

I knew José of old, and that once his mind was made up, no amount ofthreats or coaxing would turn him from his purpose. 

"If your father is right, " he continued, "so much the better--theknowledge will make our minds easy; but I can't and won't stand thissuspense any longer. "

In a sense I was completely in his power. Whether I went or not hewould go, and by himself would most certainly proceed to extrememeasures. 

"Very well, José, " I said reluctantly, after weighing the matter in mymind, "have your own way. "

"There is no other, " he replied. "Come, let us go to the workshop andget a few tools. "

I did not know his plan, but it was evident he had thought it all out. First he made a simple but effective gag; then he selected a long pieceof thin but tough rope, several strips of hide, a large rug, and a tinylantern. 

"Now, " said he with a chuckle, "I think we shan't have much troublewith Mr. Lureña. "

On our way to the lane he told me his plan, and gave me full directionsas to my share in it. The night was dark, but we moved quietly, speaking only in whispers, and straining our ears for the slightestsound. 

At the bend in the narrow lane José unrolled the cord, and I, takingone end in my hand, sat down in the darkness, laying the gag and astrip or two of hide on the ground near me. José moved to the otherside of the lane, and we let the rope lie slack across the road. Thenwe waited in silence for the coming of Lureña, feeling confident thathe would not leave the house till the night was far spent. 

This adventure was not to my liking, and I could only hope that in someway my presence might be of use to Montilla. Somehow I had not theslightest hope of my father's idea proving right. My old distrust ofthe man returned in full force, and I dreaded what an examination ofLureña's pockets would reveal. 

Slowly, very slowly, the minutes passed; a whole hour went by, andstill there was no sign of our intended victim. Had he left the houseby the front? I almost hoped he had. Yet, should he escape us thistime, I knew that now José had started his quarry he would run it toearth. 

A second hour passed. He must come soon now or not at all. My limbswere dreadfully cramped, and I began to get fidgety. Once I coughedslightly, but a sharp pull at the rope warned me to be silent. At lastthe hoof-beats of a horse could be distinctly heard. From the way herode, the horseman evidently knew the road well. Nearer and nearer hecame, while we, raising the rope, stretched it tight. The figure ofhorse and man loomed up dimly, came close to us; there was a stumble, alow cry of surprise, and the next moment our man lay on the ground, hishead enveloped in José's rug. 

A spectator might easily have mistaken us for professional thieves, wedid the thing so neatly. Almost in less time than it takes to tell, wehad thrust the gag into our victim's mouth, and bound both his legs andarms. Then, while I removed his weapons, José lit the lantern, and welooked for the incriminating papers. We searched minutely everyarticle of his clothing and the trappings of his horse, but withoutresult, except for a scrap of paper hidden in his girdle. 

José pounced on this like a hawk, and we examined it together by thelight of the lantern. I could have shouted for joy when at last wewere able to read it: "To all good friends of Peru. Pass the bearerwithout question. " It was signed by the president, Riva-Aguero, andbore the official seal. 

"It seems you were right, " whispered José sulkily. "Help me to raisethe horse, and we will let the fellow go. "

Fortunately the animal was unhurt, and very soon we had it on its feet. Then we unbound the man, removed the rug from his head, and slipped outthe gag. 

"Mount and ride on, " said José sternly, disguising his voice. "We wishyou no harm. "

"Give me my pistols, you rascal!" cried Lureña, stamping his footangrily. 

"Mount!" repeated José, and the click of his own pistol soundedominously on the still air. 

There was nothing for it but to obey, and fuming with passion, thefellow clambered sullenly to the saddle. Shaking his fist at us andvowing all manner of vengeance, he disappeared in the gloom. 

"I'm glad we came, " said I, helping José to pick up the things; "thatbit of paper has removed a load from my mind. I thought my fathermight be right, but must admit I was rather doubtful. "

"I am in no doubt whatever, " responded José. "Either the fellow wastoo sharp for us, or we made our venture at an unlucky time. If therewas nothing wrong, why did he ride off so quickly?"

"Well, " said I, laughing, "the click of a pistol in one's ears is notmuch of an inducement to stay. I think he acted very wisely. "

"If all were square and aboveboard, he would have shouted for help. "

"And drawn more attention to himself! That would have been foolish inany case. No, no, José; the case is clear, I think. We have misjudgedMontilla, and though I don't admire his methods, it is evident he isworking on our side. Let us be just, at least. "

"I wish it were possible, " muttered José, leaving me to conjecture whathis words exactly meant. 

Strangely enough, my distrust of Don Felipe was as strong as ever nextday. The incident of the spy should have removed any lingering doubtas to his fidelity, but it did not. Perhaps it was owing to José'sinfluence, but whatever the cause, I still found myself speculatingkeenly on our neighbour's honesty. 

Now, mind you, I do not wish to be praised or blamed on false grounds. What I did afterwards may have been right or wrong--and much, perhaps, can be said on both sides--but it was not done through either love orhatred of Don Felipe. True, the man was no friend of mine, but hisdaughter was, and I could not bear to think of her suffering throughhis misdeeds. 

On the very day that the troops for the south embarked, I met her quiteby accident. She had been for a gallop, and was returning home. Hercheeks were flushed with the exercise, her eyes were bright andsparkling; I had never seen her look so beautiful. 

"Well, Juan, " she cried saucily, "so you have sent away your band ofragamuffins? I wonder how many of this lot will come back! Upon myword, I feel half inclined to pity them. "

This, of course, she said to tease me; because, if our men lackedsomething in discipline, they were at least a match for the Spaniardsin bravery. 

"You are pleased to be merry, " said I, riding with her to the gate, "but I hope you do not seriously think that the Spaniards have anychance of winning. "

"Why not? It is you who live in a fool's paradise Juan. Before longthe king's flag will be floating over Lima again. "

She spoke so confidently that I looked at her uneasily. Was therereally a Royalist plot on foot, and did she know of it?

Perhaps I acted foolishly, but what I did was done with a good motive. 

"Send your horse on, " said I, "and let me walk with you to the house. There is something on which I wish to speak seriously to you. "

"Is it a penance for my sins?" she laughed, holding up herriding-habit. "Please don't be too severe, Juan! Now begin, and Iwill try to be good. "

"To begin is not so easy as you think, Rosa; but first let me tell youone thing--the Spaniards will never again be masters of Peru. "

"Pouf!" cried she, tossing her head; "that is rubbish, and says littlefor your understanding, Juan. "

"I am sorry you don't believe it; yet it is true, nevertheless. Thereare Royalists in Lima who hope otherwise, but they will bedisappointed. More than that, some of them who are working secretlyagainst us will meet with just punishment. "

"What is that to me? I can't work for the king, being only a girl, butno one can accuse me of hiding my opinions. "

I could have laughed at that had I been in the mood for merriment. AllLima knew that Peru did not contain a stancher Royalist than RosaMontilla. 

"It is not of you I speak, but of the so-called Patriots, who aresedulously plotting for the enemy. Already names have been mentioned, and before long some of these people will be shot. "

I think it was then she first began to suspect my meaning. Her eyesflashed fire, and looking me full in the face, she cried, --

"What is all this to me? What have I to do with your wretched story?"

My face was hot, my forehead clammy with perspiration. I mumbled outmy reply like a toothless old woman. 

"Don't be angry, Rosa, " I said. "I hate to give you pain, but--but--can't you understand?"

"No, " replied she calmly; "I understand nothing. "

"I wish to warn you, " I continued desperately--"to put you on yourguard. There is a rumour--I heard it in camp, but I do not vouch forits truth--"

"Come, make an end of this, " she said haughtily, "or allow me toproceed to the house. What is this rumour which seems to have tiedyour tongue so?"

"I will tell you. It is said that the leader of the conspiracy is DonFelipe Montilla! Let me--"

"Thank you, Juan Crawford, " said she, making a superb gesture ofdisdain. "Now go! If our friendship has given you the right to insultme thus, you have that excuse no longer. Go, I say, before I call theservants to whip you from the place. "

I tried in vain to offer some explanation. 

"Go, señor, go!" she repeated, and at last I turned sorrowfully away. 

I had done my best and failed. I had lost my friend, and had effectedno good, for I saw by her face that she would think it treason tomention the subject to her father. And as I rode from the gate, Iwondered whether, after all, we had been mistaken in our judgment. 

CHAPTER XX. 

"SAVE HIM, JUAN, SAVE HIM!"

"Aren't you coming, Juan?"

Two days had passed since my interview with Rosa Montilla, and I wassitting in my room at the barracks, feeling at enmity with all theworld. 

"It's a pity we've nothing better to do than to make fools ofourselves, " said I savagely, when young Alzura burst in on me excitedly. 

He was dressed to represent some hideous monster that never was knownon sea or land, and in his hand he carried a grotesque mask. 

"Hullo!" he exclaimed; "some one been rubbing you down the wrong way?Caramba, you are in a towering rage! Pray what has offended your RoyalHighness?"

"Why, all this tomfoolery! Fancy a masked ball with Canterac in themountains ready to swoop down on us at any moment!"

"The more reason why we should enjoy ourselves while we can. Besides, you are as bad as the rest: you promised to go!"

"I have forgotten it, then. "

"Well, you did; so make haste--the carriage is waiting. "

"I have no dress ready, " said I coldly. 

"That doesn't matter in the least. Go in your uniform; you look verywell in it. "

"Thanks, I prefer to stay here. "

"You forget the ball is given in our honour! Colonel Miller won't betoo pleased at finding you absent. 'Twill be a slight on our host andhostess. "

"Very well, if you put it that way, I'll join you in the messroomshortly, " said I indifferently. 

"That's right. Slip your things on sharp; the animals will getrestive. "

Alzura was in high spirits. He loved fun of all kinds, and this ballwas just to his taste. Plaza and Cordova shared our carriage, and bothof them rallied me on my glum looks. 

"Crawford's a bloodthirsty fellow, " cried Alzura banteringly--"neverhappy unless he's fighting!"

"That's a libel!" said I warmly; "I'm sick of the whole thing. Whenthis war's over, I hope never to hear a shot fired again. "

"Be easy, " laughed Cordova; "you'll be an old man by then, and too deafto hear even the report of a pistol. "

"There may be more truth in that than you think, " I observed, bitterly. 

"Never mind, my boy, " said Plaza; "you won't hear any shots firedto-night. There's no great harm in enjoying ourselves for an hour ortwo. Here we are! What a crowd outside!--Put on your mask, Alzura;the people will like the fun. "

There was a roar of laughter from the spectators as Alzura, appeared, and we went into the hall amidst a round of cheering. Most of theguests wore some fanciful costume, but several officers, Miller andO'Brien among them, were in uniform. 

The magnificent _salons_ were illuminated by thousands of lights; theguests were numerous, and represented most of the beauty and wealth ofLima. My father and mother had not come, neither did I see Montilla. Rosa, of course, would have scorned to attend a ball given to thePatriots. 

Despite the lights and the music and the striking gaiety of the scene, I could not banish my feeling of dread. I felt, as people say, that"something was going to happen, " and moved listlessly among thebrilliant assembly, wondering what it would be. 

"You look bored, Crawford, " remarked O'Brien, coming across to me. "Isanything the matter?"

"No, thanks; I'm a bit off colour--that's all. "

"Would you rather be in the mountains?" asked Colonel Miller, who hadjoined us. 

"It depends on circumstances, colonel, " I replied, trying to smile. 

When they had left me, I fell back on my occupation of gazingindifferently at the brilliant scene. I could take no interest in it, nor in the chaff and nonsense of my friends, who tried hard to make memore like myself. It seemed that in some mysterious way I was waitingfor something, though what I could not imagine. When the summonsactually came, I was not in the least surprised. 

Alzura, who brought it me, had no idea he was assisting at a tragedy, but, with a merry laugh, exclaimed, "Crawford, there is a lady outsidewaiting to see you; she will not leave her carriage. "

"Who is it?" I asked. 

"I don't know; I haven't seen her. A servant gave me the message, andI set off to find you. "

"Thanks, " said I quietly, and crossing the brilliantly-lit _salon_, took my cap and went into the vast hall. 

Who had come for me--my mother? That was my first thought, but amoment's reflection showed that it was unlikely. Had there beenanything wrong at home, she would have sent José on a swift horse. Theanswer to my question came as I stood on the flight of steps leading tothe hall. The crowd of people had dispersed, and only a solitarycarriage with its attendants stood at the door. Recognizing theMontilla livery in an instant, I ran down the steps with a beatingheart. 

The carriage door was open, and the light from the hall fell full onthe white face of Rosa. 

"What has happened?" I cried. "Why do you look so frightened? Tellme, quick!"

Her only answer was to bid me step inside. The footman sprang to hisplace, the coachman gathered up the reins, the carriage turned with aswing, and almost before I realized it we were off at a gallop. Thegirl's face was hidden now in darkness, but I had seen it for a moment, and could not forget it. She was white and scared; her cheeks weretear-stained, and her eyes full of apprehension and grief. 

Some terrible disaster had happened, but I could not learn what it was. To all my questions she replied, "Home! home!" and ordered the coachmanto drive faster. Then she burst into a fit of crying, utteringincoherent words, of which I could make nothing. 

"Is it your father, Rosa?" I asked. "Has anything happened to him?"At which she cried still more, upbraiding me for I knew not what. 

The gates of the hacienda were wide open. We passed through at agallop, and the trembling, foam-covered horses drew up at the frontdoor. As soon as the carriage came to a standstill, I jumped out andassisted Rosa to alight. All the servants seemed to have gathered inthe hall. Their faces were white, their eyes wild with dread; some ofthem still shivered. Evidently a great calamity had occurred. Whatwas it?

Looking around, I noted the absence of Don Felipe. That gave me a clueto the nature of the disaster. Perhaps he lay dead in his room;perhaps the government, suspecting him of treachery, had torn him away. I did not hit on the exact truth, but my conjectures went very near it. 

Rosa's wild fit had passed; she was no longer a weeping girl, but animperious mistress. Her tears were dried; she had banished her fear. There was a light of scorn and command in her eyes. 

"Away, cowards!" she cried. "Do you call yourselves men, and would nottry to save your master? Begone!" and she stamped her foot in passion. 

The servants slunk off abashed, and she led me along the corridor. Thedoor of her father's room was closed, but she opened it, and said, "Come in, Juan; see your friends' handiwork!"

The apartment was in total disorder. Chairs were overthrown; the tablewas stripped of its contents; all kinds of articles lay strewn aboutthe floor: there were very evident signs of a fierce and prolongedstruggle. On one wall was the mark of a bullet, and a corner of theapartment was splashed with blood. I gazed round eagerly forMontilla's body, but it was not there. 

"See, " said the girl, "he was sitting there when the ruffians burst inupon him. He fought for his life like a cavalier of old Spain, but thecowards were too many. They flung themselves upon him like a pack ofwolves, and bore him to the ground. "

"But who were they?" I asked in amazement. "Who did it? Tell meplainly what happened. "

"Need you ask?" she said coldly. "The ruffians were your friends--yourservants, for all I know. "

"Rosa, you are speaking wildly. I do not wonder at it: this terribleaffair has upset your nerves. "

Then she turned upon me, her eyes blazing with angry scorn. 

"What is it that you wear beneath your tunic, Juan Crawford?" shecried. "Are you ashamed that it should be seen?"

At first I did not understand her meaning; then a glimmer of the truthbegan to dawn on me, and slowly I drew out the silver key. 

"Do you mean this?"

"Yes! 'The chief of the Silver Key'--that is what the black-browedruffian called himself. Fancy my father, a Spanish gentleman, theprisoner of a band of half-dressed savages--your friends, JuanCrawford!"

"But I know nothing about it, " I cried. "These men take no orders fromme. The key was given me by the chief when I myself stood in need ofprotection. "

"Nevertheless they are your friends, and they have dragged my fatherfrom his home. "

"But why? Surely there must be a reason! Tell me what they said. Tryto be calm, Rosa; your father's life may depend on your words. "

"I know nothing. How should I? I was in bed. My father sat therewriting when they broke into the house. The servants fled, and hidthemselves like frightened sheep. The cowards! I dressed and ranhere. My father had killed one ruffian, but--but he could not struggleagainst so many. "

"I'll wager that he showed himself a brave man. "

"He did; but they overcame him, " she continued, speaking more calmly. "They bound him with cords: he was helpless. I begged the big banditto release him; I would have gone on my knees--I, a daughter of theMontillas!" and she drew herself up proudly. 

"But the chief, Rosa--what did he say?"

"That my father was charged with a serious offence, and that he must betried by the officers of the Silver Key. Think of that, JuanCrawford!--my father tried for his life by those dirty bandits! Oh, how I wish I was a man! Then they took him away. I was alone andfriendless; I thought of you, and told the coachman to drive me toLima. Then I remembered you were one of these people, and would haveturned back. But my father's life is precious; I would beg it even ofan enemy. O Juan, Juan, save him for me!"

She broke down utterly. I tried to comfort her, and failed. She didnothing but cry, "Save him, Juan, save him!"

[Illustration: "Save him, Juan, save him!"]

I had no faith in my power to help her, but I could not tell her so. Why Raymon Sorillo had done this I knew no more than she--unless, indeed, he had discovered Don Felipe conspiring with the Royalists. Inthat case, perhaps, I might prevail on him to spare the prisoner'slife, and to restore him to liberty when the war was over. It was onlya tiny spark of hope, but I made the most of it. 

"Listen, Rosa, " I said cheerfully. "I do not belong to this society ofwhich you speak, but its chief will do much for me. I will go to himnow and use all my influence. I will beg him earnestly to spare yourfather's life, and I think he may grant it me. Cheer up, Rosa! In afew days I shall return and bring your father with me, most likely. "

"O Juan, how shall I ever thank you! Forget the wild words I said toyou. I was distracted with fear and anger; I did not mean them, Juan!"

"No, no, " I answered soothingly; "I have forgotten them already. Nowgo to bed; I must start at once. I shall take a horse from yourstables. "

"You have no sword!"

"I shall not need one. There is no danger for me in the mountains. The Indians will do me no harm. "

As soon as she had promised to go to her room I returned to the hall, and calling the servants, sent one to explain matters briefly to myfather, and asking that my mother would come and stay with Rosa for awhile. Then going to the stables, I selected two good horses, andordered a groom to help me to saddle them. Sorillo might or might notlisten to my request, but it would be as well to waste no time on thejourney. 

The thought of taking José occurred to me, but I put it aside. Therewas really no danger in the journey, while if Sorillo would not listento an appeal made in my father's name, he was not likely to listen atall. 

Leading the spare horse, I rode through the grounds, cantered down thenarrow lane, struck the highroad, and turned in the direction of themountains. Just where Sorillo might be I could not tell, but Idetermined first of all to try the ravine where I had once spentseveral days. 

I have said that I had little faith in the success of my mission. Whythe Indians had committed this outrage was a mystery, and I could thinkof nothing which would help me to solve it. That Don Felipe had actedtreacherously I could well believe; but why, in that case, did notSorillo hand him over to the government? Why should the officers ofthe Silver Key take it upon themselves to try him?

I rode on gloomily till the sun was high in the heavens, halting at asolitary hut, where the woman gave me food and drink for myself and theanimals. She was kind enough in this matter, but to my questions shewould return no answers. She knew nothing about the war, except thatthe soldiers had slain her only son, and her husband had been absentfor over a year. He might be Royalist or Patriot, she did not know, only she wished people were allowed to live in peace, and to cultivatetheir little plots of land. 

Giving her some money, I mounted and rode on, feeling refreshed by thebrief halt. The district was for the most part bare and uninhabited. Here and there were the remains of a ruined hut, and on the route Ipassed the deserted hacienda which had once afforded me a night'sshelter. I met no people, except occasionally a few women and littlechildren; the men and growing boys were in the mountains or in theranks of the army. 

It was evening when I reached the foot of the mountains. My horseswere tired out, and the worst part of the journey still lay before me. However, the light had not altogether faded, so I began the ascent, hoping to meet with some of Sorillo's men. As it chanced, I had notlong to wait. 

A sudden "Halt! who are you?" brought me to a stand, and I answered atrandom, "A friend of the Silver Key. "

"Are you alone?" asked the voice, with just a tinge of suspicion. 

"Yes, " I replied. "I am Juan Crawford, and am looking for RaymonSorillo. Can you take me to him?"

A man stepped from behind a rock, and eyeing me suspiciously, exclaimed, "Wait, señor. I cannot leave my post, but I will call for aguide;" and putting his hand to his mouth, he whistled softly. 

The sound was answered by one from higher up, and presently a secondIndian, armed to the teeth, came running down. The two talked togetherin whispers, and at last the second man said, "Come this way, señor; Iwill lead you to the chief. He will be pleased to see the son of DonEduardo. "

Under the circumstances I thought this rather doubtful, but I followedhim up the path. 

"Are you staying in the ravine?" I asked. 

"Yes, señor, for the present. "

"Did you go with the chief to Lima?"

"Ah, the señor knows of that! The old crocodile showed fight, andkilled a good man; but he is safe enough now. "

"He has not been put to death?" I asked, my forehead clammy withperspiration. 

"Not yet, señor; he must first be tried. "

"But what have you discovered?" I asked, thinking the fellow might beable to give me some information as to the cause of Don Felipe'sabduction. 

In this I was mistaken. The man knew, or pretended to know, nothingabout it. The chief had given orders, but not reasons, and had, asusual, been obeyed unquestioningly. At a word from him his men wouldhave ridden into Lima and dragged the president from his palace. 

It almost seemed as if Sorillo expected his stronghold to be attacked. The path was guarded by sentries, and a score of men were stationed atthe entrance to the ravine, They passed us through without trouble, andbefore long I found myself in the presence of the chief. 

"You are surprised to see me?" I said briskly. 

"Yes; I thought you were in Lima. "

"I was there last night. "

"You have made a wonderfully quick journey. You must be tired and inneed of refreshment. Come; I can at least offer you a good supper. "

"Not yet, thank you. I want to ask you a question first. What haveyou done with Don Felipe Montilla?"

"The dog is in the hut yonder. "

He spoke with both anger and contempt; his face underwent a suddenchange; for the first time I saw how cruel it could look. My heartsank as I realized the uselessness of any appeal to him for mercy. Then I thought of Rosa, and said, --

"It is on Don Felipe's account I am here. What has he done? Why hashe been brought here?"

"If another dared question me like this, I would answer him with apistol shot, " he cried fiercely; "but I do not forget that you are theson of Don Eduardo Crawford. Come, let us eat and forget thisbusiness. "

"Will you tell me afterwards?"

"I will tell you nothing, but you shall hear for yourself. To-morrowthe man will be tried, and if he is found guilty, not all South Americashall save him. But we will try him fairly, and you shall bear witnessto our justice. "

"I want mercy!" said I. 

"You do not know what you ask yet. Wait till the morning. And nowcome; you must not be able to accuse me of inhospitality. "

The guerillas led away my horses, and I followed Sorillo to his ownhut, where in a short time a plentiful meal was laid. I was bothhungry and thirsty, yet I had to force myself to eat and drink. Sorillo made no attempt at conversation, and I did not care to talk. 

When the things were removed, he had a bed made on the floor, andsuggested I should lie down. 

"I am busy, " said he. "Most likely I shall be up all night, but thatis no reason why you should not rest. I will have you wakened in goodtime in the morning. "

"Thank you, " I answered; and as he left the hut I lay down on the bedand closed my eyes. 

Though tired out, hours passed before I was able to sleep. In thedarkness I could see Rosa's white face, and hear her pitiful cry, "Savehim, Juan, save him for me!"

What had he done to make Sorillo so angry? Surely he was not so bitteragainst every traitor? He had hinted that even I would not beg formercy when I knew the truth. It would have to be something verydreadful, I thought, to make me forget my promise to Rosa. 

And what of Don Felipe? How was he passing the night? Did he know thecharge to be brought against him in this most irregular court? andwould he be able to clear himself? I wondered. 

So thinking and dreaming, between sleep and wakefulness, I lay on thechief's bed, while the long hours rolled slowly away. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

ROUGH JUSTICE. 

I did not take much rousing in the morning, and even before rememberingthe exact circumstances, felt oppressed by the weight of coming sorrow. I breakfasted alone, Sorillo sending a profuse apology for not beingable to join me, though I was rather glad than otherwise at his absence. 

Leaving the hut, I went into the ravine. There were perhaps a hundredmen in sight, all armed, and apparently waiting for some signal. Theircomrades, no doubt, had been dispatched on an errand, or were guardingthe neighbouring passes. In front of Don Felipe's hut stood a sentry, and, somewhat to my surprise, I now noticed a second hut, slightlylower down and similarly guarded. 

"Two prisoners!" I thought. "I wonder who the other is? Sorillo didnot mention him. "

Nearer the head of the ravine some soldiers were at work, and goingtowards them I beheld a strange and significant sight. In the side ofthe hill was a natural platform, broad and spacious, while round itstretched in a semicircle a wide stone seat, which the men werecovering with bright red cloth. Below the platform stood a ring ofsoldiers with impassive faces. 

I was still wondering what this might mean, when Sorillo, touching myarm, led me to the centre of the stone seat, saying, "Sit there; youshall be a witness that the people of the Silver Key treat theirenemies justly. "

Rather reluctantly I took the seat indicated. Sorillo sat next me, andsix officers, ascending the platform, took their places, three oneither side of us. That portion of the seat occupied by the chief wasslightly raised; but this, of course, makes no difference to the story. 

At a signal from Sorillo the door of Don Felipe's hut was opened, andthe prisoner came out escorted by two armed men. The soldiers, openingto right and left, made way for him, and by means of the boulders, which served as steps, he climbed to the platform. 

In spite of my prejudice against the man, I rejoiced to see how boldlyhe held himself. He appeared to have summoned to his aid all the prideof his dead-and-gone ancestors. He glanced contemptuously at thegigantic Sorillo, and meeting my eyes, smiled defiantly. As to theofficers, he did not give them even a look. 

[Illustration: He glanced contemptuously at the gigantic Sorillo. ]

"Thank goodness, " said I to myself, "no one can call Rosa's father acoward!"

Then Sorillo began to speak, clearly and distinctly, but with no noteof anger in his voice. 

"Don Felipe Montilla, " he said, "you are brought here by order of theSociety of the Silver Key. " Don Felipe's lips curled as if inamusement. "It is charged against you that you, having taken the oathof loyalty to the government, have since been in traitorouscommunication with the Royalist leaders. Do you deny or admit thecharge?"

Don Felipe shrugged his shoulders carelessly, saying, "A truce to yourmummery! Do you think I would plead for my life to a band ofcut-throats? What care I for your society?"

I thought this outburst would provoke his captors beyond measure, but, as far as I could judge, it produced no effect at all. They sat quitestill, as if the remarks had been addressed to others. 

"It is our custom, " continued Sorillo, "to give those brought before usevery chance to defend themselves. We are not lawyers; we do notjuggle with words; our one desire is to get at the truth. "

"By St. Philip, " muttered Montilla, "this is the last place I shouldhave thought to find it in!"

"For this reason, " continued the chief, ignoring the sarcasticinterruption, "the story shall be told plainly, and then you willunderstand exactly what you are charged with. Three nights ago westopped a man returning from Lima. Many times he had gone to and frounmolested, protected by a pass from Riva-Aguero. At last he wasrecognized by one of our men as Pardo Lureña, an utterly worthless man, who had already changed sides several times during the war. "

"He would have made a good recruit for you, " remarked Montilla. 

"Suspecting this man, we had him watched, " continued the chief, againpassing over the interruption, "and found that always he went to yourhouse, señor, returning under the cover of night. We knew you to be anexcellent Patriot, yet the circumstance made us uneasy. At length wedecided to ignore the president's passport. Lureña was stopped andsearched, with this result, " and he flourished a letter before theprisoner. 

Don Felipe must have known by now how helpless his case was; but heonly smiled. In truth, at this crisis of his life he showed no want ofpluck. 

"There is much in this letter, " said the chief mercilessly. "Itcontains a full list of the troops just dispatched to the south, and ofthose still remaining in Lima, with an exact statement as to thequantity of their stores and ammunition. It describes their position, and advises General Canterac how he can best enter Lima and seizeCallao. It provides also a list of those who will join him, andstipulates that the writer shall keep not only his own estates, butshall be given those of which he has lately been deprived. "

At this last revelation Don Felipe changed colour somewhat, andwithdrew his eyes from my face. 

"This letter, " said Sorillo, "came from your house; it is signed F. M. , and I charge you with having written it. Can you deny that it is inyour handwriting?"

The prisoner seemed to have regained self-possession, for lookingsteadily at Sorillo, he exclaimed, "A gentleman of Spain does notanswer the questions of a mountain robber. "

Passing the letter to me, Sorillo said, "You know this man'shandwriting; perhaps you will satisfy yourself that he wrote thisletter?"

"No, " said I coldly, thrusting the paper away; "I will be neither judgenor witness in this case. "

"Very well, " answered the chief; "let the second prisoner be broughtforward. " And two men immediately fetched Pardo Lureña from his hut. 

He was still a young man, but looked old. His eyes were shifty andcunning, his lips full and thick; he did not seem to be at all the kindof man to play so daring a game. Don Felipe looked at him soscornfully that he turned away his face in confusion. He gave hisanswers clearly, however, and told the story from beginning to endwithout a tremor. 

It was as Sorillo had said. The fellow admitted being a Royalist spyemployed in carrying messages between General Canterac and Montilla. The Don, he declared, had procured him the pass signed by Riva-Aguero, and had given him the letter now in the guerilla chief's possession. 

Don Felipe never once interrupted him either by word or gesture; tolook at him, one would have thought he was merely a spectator, with nointerest in the matter one way or another. But when at last the taleended, and Sorillo called upon him to speak, his attitude changed. 

"Do your murders your own way, " he cried defiantly. "If the farcepleases you, play it. What has it to do with me? When I am accused ofcrime by the government of my country, I will answer. "

"Don Felipe is right, Sorillo, " I interrupted. "If he has done wrong, let him be brought before a proper tribunal. Whether he be innocent orguilty, if you kill him you commit murder. You and your followers haveno right to punish him. "

"In the case of a traitor we take the right, " answered Sorillodrily. --"But there is a further charge, Don Felipe Montilla, moreserious still. You have been proved false to your country; I accuseyou also of being false to your friend. "

Hitherto, I am bound to admit, the guerilla chief had acted like aperfectly impartial judge; now there was a ring of anger in his voiceand a dangerous glitter in his eyes. As to Montilla, I could hardlysuppress an exclamation of surprise at the change in his appearance. No longer boldly erect, he stood with drooping head, pale cheeks, anddowncast eyes. In the first act he had behaved like a man of spirit;the second he began like a craven. 

"Listen!" exclaimed Sorillo sternly, and his first words told me whatwould follow. "For many years there has lived in Lima a man who lovesthe Indians. He saw that they were treated as dogs, and because of hisgreat pity he resolved to help them. To this end he worked day andnight, making many enemies among the rulers of the country. They triedto turn him from his purpose, now with threats, again with offers ofheavy bribes: he would not be moved. So badly were the Indians treatedthat it mattered little whether they lived or died. They bandedtogether, procured arms and ammunition, and determined to fight fortheir liberty. Their friend sent them word that the attempt washopeless; but they were very angry, and would not listen. Then he lefthis home to speak to them himself, and endeavour to dissuade them fromtheir purpose. "

Montilla had not once raised his head, and now his limbs quivered. Asfor me, I sat listening with fascinated interest. 

"Side by side with this friend of the Indians, " the chief continued, "there lived a Spanish gentleman, who told the viceroy falsely that hisneighbour was going to the mountains to raise the standard ofrebellion. The viceroy, who was frightened, sent soldiers to seizehim. Second in command of the party was a lieutenant, young in yearsbut old in crime. To him this Spaniard went secretly. 'If this manshould be killed in the scuffle, ' said he, 'you can come to me for fivethousand dollars. '

"The lieutenant did his best to earn the money, and thought he hadsucceeded. As it chanced, however, his victim did not die, but hisestates were confiscated and given to the man who had betrayed him. "

The speaker stopped. All was still; save for the leaping waters of thetorrent, no sound was to be heard. I glanced at Montilla: he wasdeathly pale, and on his forehead stood great beads of perspiration, which, with his bound hands, he was unable to wipe away. 

"Shall I tell you who these men were?" asked Sorillo. "One is DonEduardo Crawford; the others stand here, " and he pointed to theprisoners. "Listen to your accomplice, Felipe Montilla, if you care tohear the story repeated. "

Again Lureña gave his evidence glibly. I think he had no sense ofshame, but only a strong desire to save his life. He might not havecommitted the deed for the sake of the money alone, he said, but hehated my father for having cast him into prison. 

It was poor evidence on which to try a man for his life, yet no onedoubted Montilla's guilt. There he stood with trembling limbs andashen face--truly a wretched figure for a cavalier of Spain! Hiscourage had broken down completely, and to all the questions put by hisself-appointed judge he answered no word. 

At length Sorillo asked his officers for their verdict, and with oneconsent they pronounced him "Guilty!"

"It is a true verdict, " exclaimed Sorillo; "any other would be alie. --And now, Felipe Montilla, listen to me for the last time. Youhave been proved a traitor to your country, and that alone meritsdeath; but this other crime touches the members of the Silver Key moreclosely. When the great men of Peru called the Indians dogs, DonEduardo was our friend. He took our side openly, encouraged us, sympathized with us, pitied us. And you tried to slay him! not in fairfight, mind you, and only because you coveted his possessions. Forthat you die within forty-eight hours, as surely as the sun will riseto-morrow!" And all his hearers applauded. 

The condemned man still made no reply, uttered no appeal for mercy, butstood as one dazed. But I thought of the daughter who loved him sowell, and sprang to my feet. 

"Hear me!" I cried excitedly. "If Don Felipe has done wrong, it isagainst my father. Do you think he will thank you for killing hisenemy? Is that his teaching? You know it is not; you know that hewould forgive him freely--would beg his life from you on his bendedknees. If you really love my father, if you feel that he deserves yourgratitude, spare this man's life. If he has sinned he will repent. Ihave come here for him. Do not let me go back alone. Am I to say tomy father, 'You are foolish in thinking the Indians care for you; theycare nothing! I asked of them a boon in your name, and they refusedit'? Raymon Sorillo, I appeal to you, give me this man's life for myfather's sake!"

I looked at him earnestly, hoping to find a spark of mercy in his eyes. Alas, there was none! He was hard as iron, cold as ice; on that day, at least, there was no pity in him. 

"You are foolish, " said he; "you are like a child who cries for themoon. Set this man free and he will immediately begin his old games ofdeceit and trickery. He cannot help himself. It is his nature, as itis a spider's to weave its web. Your father's happiness depends onthis traitor's death. "

I heard him patiently, and then renewed my appeal. It was quiteuseless. 

"Remove the prisoners, " said he; and at a sign the troops marched off, the officers dispersed, and none save we two remained on the platform. For a long time neither spoke. I was thinking of Rosa anxiouslyawaiting my return. I had bidden her hope, and there was no longer anyhope. I made no attempt to deceive myself in this respect. Sorillowould do much for me, but this one thing he would not do. I dreadedthe thought of returning to Lima. What would Rosa say and do when sheheard of her father's shameful death? Perhaps that part might bespared her; she need not learn the whole truth. I must invent somestory which would save her the knowledge of his double treachery. 

At last I turned to the chief, saying, "Will you allow me to speak withDon Felipe in private? He has a daughter at home; he may wish to sendher a last message. "

"He is not worth your kindness; but do as you please. "

I thanked him, and walked toward the hut in which Don Felipe wasconfined. The sentry let me pass without protest, and opening the doorI entered. 

The sight before me was a pitiful one. The wretched prisoner sat on awooden bench in the dreary hovel. His arms were bound, but he was freeto walk about if he so wished. At the click of the latch he raised hishead, but seeing me dropped it again quickly, as if ashamed to meet mygaze. 

"Don Felipe, " I began, "have you any message for your daughter?"

Instead of answering my question, he himself asked one. 

"Will that brigand really put me to death?" he said. 

"I am afraid so. I have begged hard for your life, but in vain. "

Looking at me curiously, he exclaimed, "I cannot understand why youshould wish to save me!"

"For Rosa's sake! When you were carried off, she came to me, and Ipromised if it were possible to bring you back with me. "

"Then you do not believe the story you heard to-day, about--about--"

"My father? Yes, I believe it; but that is no reason why I should beunkind to Rosa. Poor girl! 'twill be hard enough for her to lose you. "

"Is there no way of escape?"

I shook my head. "An armed sentry stands outside; a hundred soldiersare in the ravine; the path is closely watched. I would help you if itwere possible. "

"It will be dark to-night. "

"That would help us little. Even if you escaped from the hut, youwould be challenged at every dozen yards. No, I can see no way out. "

I think that at this time he began to fully realize the danger he wasin. He had a hunted look in his eyes, and again the perspiration stoodon his forehead. Fear was fast killing shame, and he seemed to carenothing that I was the son of the man whom he had tried to murder. 

"Juan, " said he, "can't you make an excuse to visit me after dark?"

"I should think so, " I replied. 

"And will you cut these cords?"

"If you think it will help you at all. "

"Leave that to me, " said he, speaking almost hopefully. "By St. Philip, I shall escape the ruffian yet!"

What his plan was he did not tell me, but it seemed to please himgreatly. He even laughed when I again mentioned Rosa, and said hewould carry his message himself. And with hope there came back to himsomething of the old cunning and smoothness of speech for which he wasso noted. 

"I am sorry you were misled by that preposterous tale, " said he softly. "Pardo Lureña is a villain, but we will unmask him. Of course, therewas a little truth in his story, but so twisted and distorted that itcould not be recognized. Your father will understand, however, andeven you will come to see that I am not greatly to blame. A littlethoughtlessness, Juan, and a desire to help a friend--no more; but thatcan wait. You will be sure to come, Juan; you will not fail me?"

"I will do my very best, Don Felipe, for your daughter's sake. "

Wishing him farewell, I returned to the chief's hut. He was not there, so I lay down to think out the situation; but my head was in a hopelessmuddle. I went into the ravine again, and, watching the soldiers, wondered how the unhappy prisoner hoped to escape them. 

As it chanced, his plan was doomed to disappointment. Toward the endof the afternoon I stood chatting with Sorillo and some of hisofficers, when a messenger rode up the ravine. His horse had travelledfar and fast, while he looked worn out with fatigue. 

Springing to the ground, he saluted, while the chief cried, "What news, Sanchez? it should be worth hearing!"

"I think it is, " replied the man, with a significant smile. "GeneralCanterac is marching on Lima at the head of a Spanish army. "

"How many men has he?"

"Nine thousand, perhaps ten--horse, foot, and guns. The advance-guardis not far off. "

"Thanks, Sanchez. --Let the men assemble, Barros: a dozen to stay here, the rest to follow me. Has Cerdeña sent word to Lima? Good. He knowshis business. --Juan, you will just have time to ride clear, and notmuch to spare. No doubt Canterac has sent some of his troops by thenear cut. "

All was bustle and activity in the ravine. Officers issued commands, troopers saddled their horses, muskets were seen to, an extra supply ofammunition was served out, and in a very short time everybody save thefew men left to guard the ravine was ready to march. 

"What can your handful of men do against Canterac's army?" I askedSorillo as we rode away. 

"Not much beyond cutting off a few stragglers, " he replied, smiling;"but we shall obtain information of which our leaders in Lima seem tostand badly in need. "

CHAPTER XXII. 

THE "SILVER KEY" AGAIN. 

Since these events happened I have asked myself many times whether Idid right or wrong, and even now I scarcely know how to decide. Thosewho blamed me said I was Sorillo's guest, and should not have abusedhis confidence. Others urged that I was bound, if possible, to preventhim putting a man to death unlawfully. All, however, agreed that nonebut a madman would have embarked on so preposterous an enterprise. 

The idea occurred to me suddenly. The guerillas, split up into groups, had gone, some this way, some that, to watch the movements of theRoyalist troops. Sorillo had kept me company till we cleared the pass, when he, too, with a word of farewell, rode away. It was now dusk, and, as the chief had truly said, there was no time to waste; yet I didnot move. Right in my path, with outstretched arms and pitiful, beseeching face, stood Rosa Montilla. I knew it was but the outcome ofa fevered brain; yet the vision seemed intensely real. 

The girl's eyes looked at me reproachfully, her lips moved as if inspeech. I fancied I could hear again her parting cry, "O Juan, savehim!"

I asked myself impatiently what more could be done. I had tried mybest and failed, and there was an end of it. Besides, the words of thechief rang in my ears in ominous warning: Don Felipe could not betrusted! To set him free was like giving liberty to a venomous snake;his hatred would now be all the more bitter in that he had struck andfailed. 

Why should I add to my father's danger? The fellow had tried to slayhim once; the next time he would make no mistake. I would make nofurther effort to help such a traitor; I would ride on. But again thebeseeching face of the girl stopped me, and again I was moved to thinkhow I could aid the miserable prisoner. Like a flash of lightning Ithought of the silver key. _That_ would unlock his prison door. Although I fully believed in Don Felipe's guilt, I remembered he madeno effort to defend himself. He would not admit Sorillo's right to tryhim. Before a lawful judge he might be able to vindicate his actionsin some way; at least he should have the chance to do so. Thusthinking, I turned back in the direction of the ravine. 

Half of the sentries, I knew, had been withdrawn to ride with theirchief, but the number on guard mattered little; the silver key was anall-powerful talisman. I rode slowly, not wishing to tire the horses, to whose speed and strength we might later be indebted for our lives. I thought, too, it would serve my purpose better to reach the ravine inthe dead of night, when the men would be sleepy and less likely to askinconvenient questions. 

I was stopped at the entrance to the pass, but not for long. TheIndians who had seen me ride out with their chief had no suspicion ofmy object. 

"Where is the chief?" asked the officer. "Have the Royalists got clearof the mountains?"

"No; they are still in the defiles. But I am in a hurry; I have comefor the Spanish prisoner Montilla. "

Fortunately this officer had not attended the trial of Don Felipe, andSorillo was not the man to give reasons for his orders. My maindifficulty would lie with the sentry at the door of the hut, but I didnot think he would disobey the authority of the Silver Key. 

In any case, boldness was my best policy; so I clattered up the ravine, stopping hardly a yard from the astonished sentry. 

"Quick, man!" I cried, springing to the ground; "are you asleep? Openthe door. I have come back for the prisoner. Is he still bound?Good. Can you tie him to this horse so that he cannot escape?"

"Yes, señor, if the chief wishes it. But, pardon me, señor, I have noorders. "

"Orders!" cried I angrily; "what would you? I have but just left thechief; and is not this" (producing the silver key) "sufficientauthority? Am I to tell the chief that he must come himself for theprisoner?"

"No, no, señor; but I am only a simple soldier. I must not open thedoor unless my officer bids me. "

"He is below, " I said; "we cannot pass without his permission. And Imust hurry, or it will be too late. Quick, drag the fellow out andbind him firmly on the horse; then come with me. "

The sentry had no inkling of the truth, and, never dreaming that hisofficer could be deceived, opened the door. Then the prisoner, whetherfrom fear or from cunning I could not tell, acted in such a manner thatno one would think I was helping him to escape. 

He refused to stir an inch from his bench, and kicked vigorously whenthe sentry tried to seize him. Then he yelled so loudly that theofficer came running up in alarm. 

"The bird has no wish to leave his cosy nest, " laughed he. --"Give methe rope, Pedro, and get a gag; the chief won't want to hear thatmusic. --Now, señor, if you'll bear a hand we'll hoist him up. --Bestill, you villain, or you'll get a knock on the head. --Had not one ofmy fellows better go with you to guard this wild beast, señor?"

Now, from the officer's point of view this was a very sensibleproposal, and one which I dared not oppose for fear of excitingsuspicion. 

So I answered carelessly, "A good thought, and I am obliged to you;though, " with a laugh, "the prisoner won't be able to do much mischiefwhen you have finished with him. "

"No, indeed; he'll be pretty clever if he can get these knots undone, "replied the officer complacently. --"Now, the gag, Pedro. Quick, orhe'll spoil his voice in the night air. --There, my pretty bird! youshall sing later on. "

All this occupied time, and I was in dread lest dawn should breakbefore we left the ravine. Then we had to wait till Pedro had saddledhis horse; and I watched the sky anxiously. At last we were ready, andbidding Pedro ride in front, I took leave of the unsuspecting officer. 

"A safe journey, " he cried. "I should like to know what Sorillo meansto do with the fellow. "

"You'll hear all about it when the troops return, " said I, laughing andhurrying after Pedro. 

Thus far the venture, with one exception, had succeeded admirably. Theprisoner was out of his cage, and would soon be clear of the pass. Then I should only have Pedro to deal with. His company was anuisance, but it must be borne with for the present; later I shouldhave to find means to get rid of him. 

We rode slowly down the narrow path, Pedro in front, Don Felipe and Iabreast. The poor fellow was in a hapless plight. The gag hurt hismouth, and the cords cut into his flesh. Had we been alone, I should, of course, have done something to ease his pain; but as long as Pedrowas there, this was out of the question. 

"Anyhow, it's better than being shot, " I thought; "and really thewretch deserves it all. "

We passed the sentries without trouble; but at the bottom of the passmy difficulties began again. 

"I suppose the chief has gone to San Mateo, señor?" said Pedroquestioningly. "That is the best place to watch from. "

This was an awkward question, as I had intended making a straight dashfor Lima; but it would not do to arouse the man's suspicions. We weretoo close to the mountains to run any unnecessary risks, and if Pedroshowed fight there, our chance of escape was gone. 

So I answered, "Yes, " and rode along, wondering what would come of it. Every step led us into greater danger. We might run into the arms ofthe guerillas, in which event Don Felipe's fate was certain; or bestopped by the Royalists, when I should be made prisoner. 

Day was now breaking, and with the strengthening light I began to seeour position more clearly. It was not promising. We were farther fromLima than we had been when in the ravine, and were making straight forthe mountains again. Another half-hour's riding would cut us off fromescape completely. What could be done? There was no time to lose, andI must hit on a plan at once. The simplest and perhaps the only onelikely to be successful I set aside without a moment's hesitation. Notfor a dozen men's lives, my own included, would I harm the unsuspectingman whom chance had thrown into my power. I might, however, frightenhim into obedience. As far as I could see, it was that or nothing, andthe attempt must be made at once. 

So, with beating heart and greatly doubting what would be the issue, Iwhipped out my pistol, and, levelling it at him, said quietly, "Moveyour hand to your musket, and you are a dead man! do as I bid you, andno harm will befall you. Leave your gun, get down from the saddle, andhold your hands above your head. "

In the circumstances it was a risky experiment, because if the manshould guess the truth I was entirely at his mercy. For him there wasno more danger than if my pistol were a piece of wood. 

"But, señor--" he began, staring at me in surprise. 

"Get down!" I repeated sternly. "It is my order. Don't waste time, orI shall be obliged to fire. "

Pedro was a brave man; indeed, all the Indians in Sorillo's band heldtheir lives cheap. He did not exactly understand what was happening, yet he seemed to think that all was not right. 

"The chief!" he exclaimed. "Does he--"

"Get down!" I cried once more, brandishing my weapon. 

With a thundering shout of "The Silver Key! Help for the Silver Key!"he clubbed his musket and dashed straight at me, regardless of thelevelled pistol. 

One moment's pressure on the trigger and he would have dropped to theground helpless, but I refrained; instead, I pulled the rein, and myhorse swerved sharply, though not in time. The musket descended with athud; the pistol slipped from my nerveless fingers; I seemed to beplunging down, down beneath a sea of angry waters. 

How long I lay thus, or what happened during that time, I do not know;but I awoke to find myself beside a roaring fire, and to hear the humof many voices. A soldier, hearing me move, came and looked into myface. 

"Where am I?" I asked anxiously. 

"Not far from Lima, " said he. "A few hours since you weren't far fromthe next world. How did you get that broken head?"

I tried hard to remember, but could not; the past was a total blank. 

"Well, well, never mind, " exclaimed the man kindly. "Try to sleep; youwill be better in the morning. "

With the coming of dawn I saw that I was in the midst of a large camp. Thousands of soldiers wrapped in their ponchos lay motionless beforesmouldering fires. Presently there was a blowing of bugles, and thestill figures stirred to life. Officers rode hither and thitherissuing orders, the men ate their scanty rations, the cavalry groomedand fed their horses--there were all the sights and sounds connectedwith an army about to march. 

Then the infantry formed in battalions, the horsemen mounted, buglessounded in numerous places; there was a cracking of whips, the creakingof wheels, and all began to move slowly forward. Soon but a few menremained, and it seemed that I had been forgotten. 

At length a man came to me. He was dressed in uniform, but his wordsand actions proved him to be a surgeon. 

"Feel better?" he asked. "Can you eat something? I can only give youarmy food; but that will fill up the hollows. Now let me look at thedamage. Faith, I compliment you on having a thick skull. A thinnerone would have cracked like an egg-shell. Don't try to talk tillyou've had something to eat. "

"Just one question, " I said faintly. "Who are the soldiers just movedout?"

"Why, General Canterac's troops. I see you belong to the other side. But don't worry; we shan't hurt you. "

"Then I am a prisoner?"

"That's always the way--one question leads to a dozen, Yes, I supposeyou are a prisoner; but that's nothing very terrible, " and he hurriedoff to procure food and drink for me. 

Later in the day he came to have another talk, and I learned somethingof what had happened. 

"We crossed the mountains almost without a check, " he began. "TheIndians did us some damage; but they were only a handful, and we sawnone of your fellows. "

"But how came I to be here?"

"Ah! that's a queer story. A party of scouts screening our left flankhad just reached the base of the mountains, when they heard a fellowyelling at the top of his voice. By the time they got in sight, theman had evidently knocked you down, and was off at a mad gallop. "

"Alone?" I asked. 

"No; that's the strange part of it. He was leading a spare horse whichcarried something on its back. Our men could not get a good view, butit looked like a full sack, or a big bundle of some sort. Theyfollowed rapidly, and were wearing the runaway down when the Indiansappeared in force on the hills. Of course that stopped the pursuit, and after picking you up, they came on with the army. "

My memory returned now, and I understood what had happened. Pedro hadescaped, and carried Don Felipe with him to the Indians of the SilverKey. 

"Poor Rosa!" I sighed; "it is all over now. She will never see herfather again. Sorillo will take care that he doesn't escape a secondtime. "

My thoughts dwelt so much on this that I took little interest in therest of the doctor's conversation. He was very jubilant, though, Iremember, about his party's success, telling me that in a short timeGeneral Canterac would be master of Callao, and that the Patriots hadnowhere the slightest chance of victory. 

"What will be done with me?" I asked. 

"I shall send you with our sick to the hospital at Jauja. The airthere is bracing, and will help you to recover more quickly. "

"Thank you, " I said, though really caring very little at that timewhere I was sent. 

Next day I was placed with several Spanish soldiers in an open wagon, one of a number of vehicles guarded by an escort of troopers. Myfriendly surgeon had gone to Lima; but I must say the Spaniards behavedvery well, making no difference between me and their own people. 

As to the journey across the mountains, I remember little of it. Theworthy Pedro had made such good use of his musket that my head wasracked with pain, and I could think of nothing. Most of the sicksoldiers were also in grievous plight, and it was a relief to us allwhen, after several days' travelling, the procession finally halted inJauja. 

Here we were lifted from the carts and carried to a long whitewashedbuilding filled with beds. They were made on the floor, and many ofthem were already occupied. Accommodation was found for most of us, but several had to wait until some of the beds became vacant. 

Two or three doctors examined the fresh patients, and one forced me toswallow a dose of medicine. Why, I could not think, unless he wantedme to know what really vile stuff he was capable of concocting. 

I shall pass quickly over this portion of my story. For weeks I lay inthat wretched room, where dozens of men struggled night and day againstdeath. Some snatched a victory in this terrible fight, but now andagain I noticed a file of soldiers reverently carrying a silent figurefrom one of the low beds. 

By the end of September I was strong enough to get up, and the doctorspronouncing me out of danger, I was taken to another building. Thiswas used as a prison for captured officers of the Patriot forces, andthe very first person to greet me as I stepped inside the room was thelively Alzura. 

"Juan Crawford, " cried he, "by all that's wonderful! From the ballroomto the prison-house! There's a splendid subject for the moralist. Where have you been, Juan? your people think you are dead. Miller isfrantic; all your friends in Lima are in despair. "

"Do you know anything of Don Felipe Montilla?" I asked. 

"Montilla? No; there is a mystery about him too. It is given out thathe was abducted by brigands, but some people whisper another story. "

"What?"

"That he fled to the Royalists, my boy, as I prophesied he would. "

"Then you were a false prophet. "

"Then I ask the worthy Don's pardon for suspecting him without cause. But how did you get here?"

"I was brought in a wagon. "

"Lucky dog! Always lucky, Juan. I had to walk, " and he showed me hisfeet, naked, and scored with cuts. 

After sympathizing with him, I asked him how events were shaping. 

"Canterac did not capture Callao, as he hoped, and is now back in thehighlands. Many things have happened, however; let me be yourchronicle. Where shall I start?"

"From the day that Canterac swooped down on Lima. "

"That was nothing. He sat down in the capital; we hugged the guns atCallao and looked at him. When he got tired he took himself off, andwe returned to our quarters. "

"Nothing very exciting in that. "

"You are right, my boy. Your judgment is marvellous. But we had a dayof excitement shortly before I came on this trip. You should have beenthere. Lima went stark mad! The guns at Callao thundered for hours;the capital was decked with flags; the people cheered till they werehoarse; there was a very delirium of joy. It was the greeting of Peruto her saviour--her second saviour, that is. "

"Why can't you speak plainly? Do you mean Bolivar has come?"

"Your second question, Juan, shows there was little need for the first. Yes, Bolivar, the protector or emperor, or whatever name the new masterof Peru cares to be known by. The hero of South America has arrived;let the Spaniards tremble!"

"For any sake give your tongue a rest. What has Santa Cruz done?"

"What has Santa Cruz done? A very great deal, my boy, I assure you. He has lost his whole army--men and horses, guns and ammunition, wagonsand stores. What do you think of that, young man? You will becompelled to swallow Bolivar after all. "

"Let us change the subject. Tell me about yourself. "

"Ah, " said he, "that is indeed a great subject! Your discernment isworthy of praise. I can talk on that topic for hours without tiring. Where shall I begin?"

"Where is the jailer?"

"Why?"

"That I may ask him to send me back to the hospital. "

"Juan, you are a fraud! But hark! that is the bell calling us todinner. Blessed sound! Come with me to the banquet. "

CHAPTER XXIII. 

AN OPEN-AIR PRISON. 

There were fifteen or sixteen Patriot officers of all ranks in theprison, and I found most of them jolly fellows. We lived all togetherin two large rooms, one of which was used as a bedroom. In addition, we were allowed at certain hours to walk up and down a long corridor, so that we got a fair amount of exercise. 

Alzura and a few of the other youngsters spent much time in planningmethods of escape, and they were glad of any suggestions I could offer. As a rule, our arrangements ended in talk. The viceroy put his trustrather in keen-eyed sentries than in locks, bolts, and strong walls. An armed man stood on either side of the door leading to the corridor, which was itself guarded by a chain of soldiers. At the yard-door, through which we were not permitted to pass, an officer with severalmen always stood on duty. 

Three or four times every week, in the middle of the night, aninspecting officer would summon us to get up and answer our names. This was a great nuisance, as it disturbed our sleep, but fortunatelyit did not take long. We slept on the floor fully dressed and wrappedin our ponchos, so there was no delay in making our toilets. 

We were given sufficient food--of a sort; but we had no amusements ofany kind, and absolutely nothing to do. Our sole occupation waswalking round and round the room like caged bears, and chatting aboutthe war. 

Most of us voted Alzura a bore in this respect, but I think on thewhole he did us good. His was the first voice heard in the morning, and the last at night. He was equally ready to talk with ensign orgeneral, and on any subject under the sun. He would jest or laugh, or, I really believe, weep with you at a moment's notice. He wouldinstruct the artillery officer in the management of guns, advise thecavalryman how to ride, and show the general the best way to order abattle. Alzura was a genius, and most of us were only now beginning tofind it out. 

When the talk turned to the best way of escaping, he was delightful. Never was there a fellow with such ingenious schemes; only, as ithappened, they were not quite suitable to our circumstances. Had webeen in an underground cell, with massive walls and an iron door, hewould have had us out in less than no time. When I mentioned casuallythat we were not so placed, he would reply good-humouredly, "No, dearboy, but some day you may be, and then my instructions will come inhandy. But, as you say, the position at present is slightly different. First, we have to pass the sentry on this side of the door. I supposewe are all agreed on that point? Well, then, having got rid of him--"

"But we haven't got rid of him!"

"No; quite true. I can see him from here, and a very surly fellow helooks. I wonder the officer doesn't give us some one with a moreamiable face. However, that's outside the argument. Now, supposing wehad disposed of this fellow, the question is, what to do next. "

"But we haven't disposed of him!"

"Just so; but we ought to be prepared in case he is withdrawn, oranything of that sort, you know. However, if you won't follow myadvice, it's no use giving it. It's simply folly to go on talking. "

"I felt convinced you would say something sensible before you hadfinished, " laughed one of the youngsters gaily. 

Alzura laughed too, and gave the fellow a playful tap on the head, forhe loved a joke whoever chanced to be the victim. 

That same evening he told us of a fresh plan--for Alzura was as full ofplans as an egg is of meat--and before he came to the end, we werelaughing so uproariously that the sentry ordered us to make less noise. 

"I daresay you fellows have wasted the day as usual, " he began; "thatis the worst of having some one to do your thinking for you. I reallywish you wouldn't depend so much on me. "

"That's the penalty of being so clever, my boy. The world alwaysoverworks its greatest men. It's quite reasonable, after all. "

"But it's hard on me, nevertheless, " observed Alzura; "though I supposeone ought not to complain of being a genius. Well, I've been workingmy brains all day--"

"Your what?"

"Oh, shut up, and let me speak! I've hit on a lovely plan: it willwork like a machine; it can't possibly fail. We have been on the wrongtack, trying to meet force with force. What we want is craft. Do youfollow me, boys?"

"Yes, yes; go on! Let's hear the lovely plan. "

"When you do hear it, you will wonder why no one thought of it before. It is simple beyond belief, almost. "

"A true mark of genius, Alzura. But we're waiting to hear thisinfallible plan. "

"Well, look here. Just study that sentry's face a minute. Who is helike? Don't know? Why, isn't he just like our friend Crawford?"

The little group laughed with delight, while I said reproachfully, "Oh, come, Alzura!"

"Not so much the face, dear boy, " said he, "but the figure. He's justyour height and build; you will admit that. And his clothes will fityou, Juan. Now, do you see?"

I confessed to being still in a fog, so he continued his explanations. 

"This is the idea, " said he. "You and Barriero--Barriero iswonderfully strong--stroll down to him presently. Pretend you want toask him a question. That will put him off his guard. What happens?You spring on him suddenly, clap a rag in his mouth, and with our helphold him so that he cannot struggle. Then you exchange clothes andstand on guard. When the relief comes you march away. Understand?"

"Nothing could be simpler, " I murmured, while we were all nearlychoking with suppressed laughter. 

"Grand, isn't it?" said he. "I knew you would be struck. "--Iwas. --"Then we'll serve the next fellow the same way, and the next, andso on till we are all out. After that we'll seize the viceroy--"

But by this time we were convulsed with laughter, and the sentry, in novery gentle tones, advised us to be quiet. 

"It's a great scheme, Alzura, " I said presently, "a wonderful scheme, but it can't be carried out. Suppose the trick was discovered after myescape, all you fellows would be punished sharply, and I shouldn't likethat. "

"No, " said he, in a disappointed tone; "I thought your scruples mightstand in the way. "

Alzura's plan was still fresh in our minds when the Royalists showed ushow to pass the sentry. One morning, directly after breakfast, anofficer entered the room with a number of soldiers, and we were orderedto stand in line. Producing a paper, he read a list of the names, andeach man, as he answered, was told to step forward. Then we weremarshalled in twos, the left arm of one man being tied to the right ofthe other. My companion was Alzura, and very disgusted he looked atthe treatment. 

"What are they going to do with us?" he asked. 

"I don't know. Perhaps they heard we wanted to get away, and areobliging us. "

"Silence!" roared a Royalist sergeant; "no talking!" And Alzuragroaned. How was he to live if he had to keep his tongue still?

A long strip of tough hide was now brought, and was knotted atintervals to the fastenings between each pair of prisoners. It formeda sort of gigantic single rein, and I suggested in a whisper to Alzurathat we were to be harnessed to the viceroy's chariot. 

"'Twill save horseflesh, and we shall be doing something for ourliving, " I added. 

Some of the soldiers now went to the front of us, some to the rear; thedoor was flung wide open. "March!" cried the officer, and into thecorridor we marched, through the yard, and so into the open road. 

"Out at last, " I remarked to Alzura. "The Royalists have hit on aneven simpler plan than yours. "

"Simple, but not clever. There is no art in this kind of thing. "

"Oh, isn't there?" I laughed, giving the thongs a tug. "Thearrangement strikes me as unusually artistic. "

"You are trying to be witty, dear boy. Don't. The Royalists will berevenged on us, and who shall blame them? Hullo, they aren't taking usinto the town!"

"No; we're going for a pleasure trip somewhere, I expect. How kind ofthem to think we need a change!--I say, Barriero, don't you think thisis an improvement on Alzura's plan?"

Barriero, who was one of the couple in front of us, laughed and said, "Well, I can't say yet. I'll tell you when I know more about it. "

At the gate of the prison our escort had been strengthened by a numberof horsemen, who now rode on either side of us, so that any hope ofescaping was quite extinguished. We knew nothing as to ourdestination, which I think the officer in charge did not make knowneven to his subordinates. A few people stood at the outskirts of thetown to watch us pass, but during the remainder of the day we saw noone except our guards. 

The march was terribly painful and fatiguing, though I have no wish tosuggest that we were ill-treated. The fact was, the long confinementwe had undergone made us keenly alive to the trials of a wearisomejourney such as this. About midday a halt was called, our fasteningswere loosened, while we were allowed to sit down and eat a ration ofmeat which was served out to each of us. Some of the soldiers rested;others stood on guard, with orders to shoot any man who made theslightest effort to escape. 

"They needn't fear my running far, " said Alzura ruefully, showing mehis bleeding feet. 

"Caramba!" cried a soldier sitting near, "that won't do, señor. Therocks are sharp in this part of the country. Wait; I have some greenhides in my knapsack. I'll make you some sandals if the colonel haltsfor an hour. "

"I shall be very grateful for your kindness, " said Alzura; "the pain inmy feet has kept me from admiring the scenery, and there are some grandviews about here. "

"I've seen finer in Lima, " muttered the man, who was already busy athis self-imposed task. 

"Give me some stuff, " said one of his comrades; "I'll make one sandalwhile you make the other. The youngster will have his feet cut to thebone. He ought to be at school instead of marching about the country. "

"I'm not eager to march, " laughed Alzura; "I'll stay behind willingly. "

"Ugh!" exclaimed the first soldier, "you would soon be dead in thiswilderness. We have seen some sights in this district--haven't we, Alonzo?"

"That we have, " replied his companion, "and I don't want to see anymore of them. "

The two worthy fellows worked so industriously that in less than halfan hour the sandals were completed, the holes pierced, and the lacesput in, all ready for use. 

"I don't know how to thank you, " said Alzura earnestly, "but if wemanage to live through this war, I may be able to pay you back. Atpresent you must take the will for the deed. "

"It's all right, señor; we could not see you suffer like that. And ourofficer will say we did right. Just in time, too! There's the summonsto assemble. "

At the evening halt we were again set free a short time, beingrefastened for the night. After travelling for four days in this way, we saw from the top of a high hill the waters of a magnificent lake, studded with islets. It seemed quite near; but several hours passedbefore we reached its border--a broad morass, through which ran devioustracks. 

Our leader now stopped, and we saw a number of soldiers carefullycrossing one of the tracks from the lake. As soon as they reached uswe were unbound and placed in single file, while the chief of theescort said, "The journey is ended. Yonder is your home while the warlasts. It is not a lively place, but you will be out of mischief. Follow your guides, and walk carefully; you will not enjoy sinking inthe quagmires. "

We appreciated his advice more when, about half-way across, a stoutmiddle-aged major, missing his footing, plunged into the liquid mud. In an instant he was immersed to the chin, and but for Barriero, whograsped his head, would have disappeared altogether. As it was, hepresented a miserable appearance, and showed us how terrible was thedanger. 

Several boats were moored at the edge of the lake, and an officerdirected us to get in, one by one. Barriero, Alzura, and I entered thesame boat; which was fortunate, as the prisoners were divided intothree groups and taken to different islets. 

There were six of us in our group, and twelve soldiers under thecommand of a non-commissioned officer. The guard occupied comfortablequarters, while three mud huts were reserved for us. The islet wasquite bare of trees, and was so small that Alzura pretended he couldnot stretch his legs comfortably for fear of slipping into the water. 

The men who had rowed us over did not land, but took the boats toanother islet, much larger than ours, which we guessed to be theheadquarters of this novel prison. 

"The governor of this place is a clever warder, " remarked Barriero;"there's no getting away from here. "

"Why not?" I asked. 

"The risk is too great. Just think for a minute. First one would haveto swim to the shore, and then cross the morass in the dark, as itwould not be possible to escape in the daytime. It's really waste oftime to mount a guard over us. "

"We must set our wits to work, " observed Alzura gravely. 

"No, no, " I cried; "Barriero's is the only way, and a very poor one itis. The swim is a trifle, but to cross the morass--"

"Why not build a bridge?" suggested Alzura. 

"And use our bodies as part of the foundations, " said Barriero, laughing. "If you make any more idiotic remarks, Alzura, I'll throwyou into the lake. "

"All right, " said he. "You'll be sorry when Crawford and I escape andleave you behind. "

"I've a long time to wait, " replied Barriero, "so I'll pass some of itin sleep. "

Alzura and I shared one of the huts between us. There was nofurniture; the floor was of mud, and so were the walls, while the roofwas thatched with some dried vegetable matter. The place was notexactly a palace, but it sheltered us, and for that we were thankful. 

The sergeant in charge of the islet was a good-humoured fellow. Feeling sure that we could not escape, he treated us quite genially, though maintaining discipline at the same time. He often talked of thewar, giving us news now and again of events which never happened. 

On the third morning after our arrival, we saw several boats leave themain island and visit the various islets on which prisoners were kept. 

"That's the governor making a tour of his kingdom, " the sergeantexplained. "He is bringing us a week's provisions, and will no doubthave a peep at his new subjects. "

The governor was a Spanish officer, quite old, but stiff and erect inspite of his many years. He ordered us to draw up in line, called ournames from the list, hoped we should be comfortable, ordered thesergeant to put in irons any man who disobeyed him, wished us allgood-morning in courtly old-world style, stepped into his boat, and wasrowed away. 

"Not a word about attempting to escape!" remarked Barriero. 

The sergeant heard the remark, and said with a laugh, "It is needless, señor. No one ever got away from here. Some have tried, and they areat the bottom of the morass. Why, even I would not venture to crossthat terrible place, except in broad daylight with a trusty guide. Ifyou think of trying, señor, let me advise you to stay where you are. Here you can be comfortable; there--ugh!" and the man shuddered at thevery thought of it. 

"Your advice is good, sergeant, and I intend to profit by it, " criedBarriero. "We saw one man slip when we were crossing, and I shan'tforget his face in a hurry. Caramba! it makes me shiver yet. "

"Besides, " continued the sergeant, "suppose that by some miracle youcross the marsh, what would happen then? You would die of hunger. ButI will grant you a further miracle. You shall cross the mountains andjoin your friends. Is the danger over? It is but just beginning. Youwill be killed in battle. But your luck clings to you, and you stillsurvive. Well, then, the war comes to an end; you are hunted down, captured with arms on you, and shot as rebels. "

"What a charming picture, sergeant!" laughed Alzura. "It seems to mewe are better off where we are. "

"I am glad for your own sake that you think so, " said the officergravely. "I grow attached to my birds with their clipped wings, andonly desire their welfare. There was a young fellow here once, apretty boy, señor, like yourself"--Alzura bowed gracefully--"and I hadgrown to love him. But he got tired of the place and the company, Isuppose, and one night he slipped into the water. I fired my musket, and a boat which is always kept ready started in pursuit. He reachedthe morass first, and found a track. My men followed cautiously. Theycould not see him, but presently they knew there was no need to gofurther. "

"How?" asked Alzura curiously. 

"The shriek of the boy as he went to his death told them what hadhappened. Ah, it was not the first time some of them had heard such awail!"

"Sergeant, " said Alzura, "you tell such lively stories that I wonder atany one becoming tired of your society!"

"You are pleased to be merry, " replied the man, "and I, too, can be thesame, only not when speaking of the morass. Come, let us forget it fora while. Although you are my prisoners, you will not find me a harshjailer. "

This was quite true, but not all his kindness could make up to us forloss of liberty. Barriero and the other three prisoners seemed quiteresigned to their fate, but Alzura was always hankering after thedelights of Lima and home, while I, too, longed very much to see myparents and friends. So we often sat for hours watching the margin ofthe lake, envying the men who went ashore. They carried on their headswhatever bundles they had, and we carefully noted the landing-place, aswell as the track across the morass which they appeared to take. 

"It seems easy enough, doesn't it?" Alzura would say; "but in the darkit would be different! Think of the quagmires, Juan! Caramba! thesergeant was right. We had better give up our dreams, Juan, eh?"

I felt sure that this was wisely spoken, but somehow the next day weagain went to look at the opposite shore and possible freedom. Thathorrible morass had a wonderful fascination for us. We thought of itby day and dreamed of it by night; but the weeks slipped away, andstill we were prisoners on the islet. 

The new year came, and in May 1824 we were joined by another captive. This was a treat for us, as he brought news from the outside world. Hetold us there had been many disturbances, that Bolivar was nowundisputed ruler and leader of the Patriots, but that the end of thewar seemed as far off as ever. 

"If they keep us till the country is at peace, " said he, "we shall dieof old age on this islet. "

CHAPTER XXIV. 

A DANGEROUS JOURNEY. 

"I think, " remarked Alzura, one day toward the end of June, "I'll getthe sergeant to put me in irons. "

"Why?" I asked in surprise. 

"Because sitting here and looking at the land is driving me crazy. "

"Then don't look at it. "

"I can't help it, and that's the truth. Wouldn't it be grand if wecould only cross that morass safely!"

"But we can't!"

"No, " said he; "but suppose we could? Suppose there came a night whenit was just dark enough to hide us, and yet light enough to show us thetrack? Wouldn't it be a feather in our caps if we could get backsafely to Miller?"

"It would; but we should lose our nerve in that horrible swamp, even ifwe reached it. "

"Very likely; and our lives too. Let's go back to the hut. "

We had often talked like this, but now there seemed more purpose andearnestness in my chum's manner. I looked at him closely as wereturned to our quarters, and wondered if he had decided to run therisk. 

"A quarter of a mile isn't a long swim, is it?" he said, after a time. 

"Oh no!" I agreed cheerfully. 

"And we might easily save sufficient food from our rations to last along while. "

"Most likely we shouldn't need it long. "

"It would be very useful if we did. "

"Look here, Alzura, " said I, turning on him suddenly, "let's make anend of this business. What are you driving at? Are you going to riskyour life in that morass?"

"I'm very tired of this place, " he answered moodily. 

"So am I; but that doesn't lessen the danger of the swamp. Now, let usmake no mistake. There is, perhaps, one chance in a hundred. Is itworth risking? Death in a morass must be rather horrible. Don't youthink so?"

"Well, it can't be very pleasant; but you admit we stand a chance ofgetting across. "

"One in a hundred, no more. "

"Ah, well, " said he thoughtfully, "let us sleep on it. "

I could not help thinking that my chum must want his freedom badly toeven suggest such a venture. Any hot-blooded enterprise, I knew well, appealed to him strongly; but this one required cool, dogged patienceand nerves of iron. Barriero was a brave fellow too, but he honestlyadmitted he would rather be shot than try to cross the morass in thedark. As for me, I trembled at the thought of taking part in sohazardous an enterprise. 

However, it seemed to me that Alzura was making up his mind to go. Every day he let fall broad hints, and at last stated his intentionswithout reserve. 

"Juan, " said he one evening, "I'm going. The war may last a couple ofyears yet. Are you coming with me? Don't if you'd rather not risk it. "

"Have you counted the cost?"

"Yes. I know it's a touch-and-go affair; that is why I won't press youto join me. "

"Two will stand a better chance than one, " said I thoughtfully, "andyou mustn't try it alone. Shall we ask Barriero to come with us?"

"May as well pass the compliment, " answered Alzura, laughing. "But hewon't, I'm positive. "

And he was right; for Barriero, on being asked, said hotly, --

"You're a pair of idiots, and I don't know which is the bigger. "

"It must be neither or both, if we're a pair, " chuckled Alzura. 

"Why can't you be satisfied?" growled Barriero. "You've plenty offood, no work to do, and are well treated. And there isn't one chancein a thousand of your getting through. "

"Crawford said one in a hundred!"

"Well, anyway, you're certain to lose your lives, and I shall be blamedfor not stopping you. It's my duty to inform the sergeant, and haveyou chained up. "

"You can't, " said Alzura--"you can't betray us. "

"You're two lunatics--stark, staring lunatics--and I wish you had toldme nothing of your mad scheme. "

"It's awfully risky, " said I, "but not so mad as you think. We shallchoose our night, and we know just where to land. Then we shall takeprovisions to last us three or four days. "

"You won't need them, " interrupted Barriero, in a tone of convictionwhich was far from encouraging. 

But now that the affair had really been decided on, the dangers of themorass soon lost some of their terrors. We were able to talk aboutthem calmly, and thus grew familiar with them, at least in imagination. Every day we set aside a portion of the dried meat and biscuit whichformed the chief part of our food, until at last we had as much ascould be carried easily. It would be stupid to load ourselves with tooheavy a burden, as Barriero rather unkindly reminded us. 

We waited three whole weeks after coming to our decision beforestarting on the venture, and then, one favourable night, slipped downto the edge of the islet. Barriero, who had kept the secret, came towish us good-bye, and the poor old fellow shook like a timid child. 

"It is a mad game, " said he, "a downright mad game. I shall neverforgive myself for allowing you to go. It isn't too late now to drawback. Do take my advice, and don't risk it. I shan't sleep a wink allnight if you go. "

"Never mind, my boy, " replied Alzura, laughing; "you'll have plenty oftime afterwards for a nap. --Now, Juan, off with your clothes. "

The other prisoners were sound asleep in their huts; so were thesoldiers, with the exception of the two sentries. These men weresupposed to keep a sharp lookout, but nothing had happened for so longa time that their duty was mostly a matter of form. However, Barrierokept watch while we each stripped and made a bundle of our food andclothes to carry on our heads. 

"Good-bye, old man, " we said to him when we were quite ready; and he, gripping our hands, whispered back, --

"Good luck; but I wish you would not go. Take care, and come back hererather than lose your lives, if you cannot find the track. "

We promised to do so, and then took quietly to the water. The firstpart of the journey gave us no trouble whatever. We were both goodswimmers, and quickly arrived at the spot which we had selected as thelanding-place. Here we crouched on a patch of firm ground, undid ourbundles, and proceeded to dress quickly. A smothered exclamation fromAlzura made me glance at him. In his hurry he had whisked his shirt ayard or two away, and it had settled in the liquid mud. 

"There's an end to that garment!" said he. "Well, after all, it's nogreat loss; 'twas mostly made of holes. What have you found, Juan?"

"A stout staff tipped with iron, left here by the soldiers, mostlikely. What a piece of luck, my boy! Now we shall be able to testthe ground. "

"Yes, the balance is on our side, " said he happily, buttoning histunic. "Are you ready? Give me the staff, and I'll go first. "

Of course I could not let him do that; so turning it off with a laugh, I cried, --

"No, thank you. I'm not going to trust my life to your hands, orrather feet. Now, follow me closely. Walk just where I do, and if yousee me disappearing, pull me back sharp. We're on the track now, andmust try to keep on. "

"Spoken with the wisdom of a sage!" said Alzura saucily. "I say, Juan, how shall I know when you're moving?"

There was certainly reason for his sarcasm. As often as not, when Iraised my foot I brought it down in the same place again, or, accordingto Alzura, even went a step backward. The night was not particularlydark--indeed, we had doubted whether it was dark enough for us to swimashore unobserved--but the marsh was fearfully deceptive. 

In places the track was merely a dry hump here and there, for which Ihad to feel with the staff. Twice, in spite of every precaution, Imissed my footing, and the second time had sunk to the waist beforeAlzura could pull me out. 

"I can't see you very well, Juan, " said he, laughing, "but I have anidea that you would cut a fine figure in a ballroom just now. "

"Especially if it were a fancy-dress affair, " I replied in the sametone. 

We were in no merry humour, mind you; but the weakest joke was betterthan dwelling on the horrors which surrounded us. Each of us knewthat, but for Alzura's quickness, I should have disappeared for ever, leaving no trace behind me. Twice before the break of day I had savedhim from a similar fate. 

We left the islet about ten o'clock, and at midnight were still in themorass, unable to move. Alzura had joined me on a piece of firmground, just large enough for us to stand on, and no more. It wasdarker now, so that we could see nothing clearly, while I failed totouch any solid substance, except that behind us, with my pole. Alzura's attempts were equally unsuccessful. 

"You're a pretty guide!" said he. "You've got off the track; we hadbetter try back. Give me the staff. "

"Be careful; mind how you turn. Can you feel the ground where we stoodjust now?"

"Yes; here it is, " and the next minute he stepped back to feel for theproper path, while I stood trembling lest he should slip in and besmothered before I could get to his assistance. 

"Can you find a place?" I asked. 

"Only towards the lake. It's nothing but marsh to right and left. Ithink I'll come to you again. What is it? Did I hurt you?"

"Oh no, not at all!--only crushed my toes a bit with the pole! Whatare we going to do now?"

"I suppose it's too early for breakfast?" he began, and then in adifferent tone he added hastily, "Oh, I say, what a joke! I've droppedmy bundle of food somewhere. Perhaps it's just as well; I shall walklighter. "

"But you'll want something to eat, " I suggested. 

"Of course I shall. How dense you are! Don't you see how the accidentwill benefit us both? There are two now instead of one to eat yourrations, so you will have all the less to carry. "

"Oh, " said I doubtfully, not quite appreciating the logic. "Well, wedon't want breakfast yet, and the question is, what are we to do? Thesergeant's bound to discover our escape at breakfast-time, and asearch-party will be sent ashore immediately. "

"It will be light in an hour or two, " observed Alzura cheerfully--"atleast light enough for us to find the track again. Let us sit down; itwon't be so tiring, and we can't make ourselves any wetter or dirtier. It's a good thing I didn't start on this journey alone; I should bewith my provisions now. "

"It's always pleasanter to have company, " said I, shivering, and notnoticing the absurdity till Alzura laughed. 

There was certainly very little pleasure in our position just then. Wewere wet through, chilled to the marrow, and plastered with mud fromhead to foot. Our limbs felt horribly cramped, yet we almost feared tostretch them, and the enforced delay was fast diminishing our chancesof escape. The dawning light might show us the route, but it wouldalso set the soldiers on our heels. Altogether, I was rather inclinedto envy Barriero, sleeping peacefully in his hut. 

As soon as ever it became light enough, Alzura jumped up, saying, "Where is the pole?" and grasping it, he began trying to touch bottom. He poked long and vigorously in all directions, but without success, till it seemed as if our only plan was to return and give ourselves up. 

"Yet there must be a way out, " said I impatiently. "The track leadshere plainly enough, and it wouldn't come to an end just in the middleof the morass. "

"I shouldn't think so, " said Alzura. "I wonder whether they've missedus yet. How old Barriero will grin on seeing us back again!"

"We aren't back yet, " I replied. "Look at that hump yonder. It seemssolid, doesn't it? Lend me the pole. Ah, too short! What d'youthink, Alzura?"

"It looks all right, " said he; "but appearances are often deceptive. Besides, we can't reach it. "

"We can jump it, perhaps. "

"Yes, " said he thoughtfully, "we might. It's a big risk, though. Ifit isn't firm ground, the one who jumps will go to his death. "

"I'll chance it, " said L

"No, you won't; it's my venture. Stand aside, and give me room for atake-off. Remember me to the others if I go down. "

"Wait, " said I; "there's no need for you to go. We can put it to thetest without risking life, " and I hastily unslung the packet ofprovisions which hung over my shoulder. 

"Bravo, Juan! that is a good dodge. Mind your aim, though!"

"All right, " and raising the bundle, I swung it carefully to and fro, trying to gauge the distance. Then giving it an upward sweep, I let itgo, and we watched breathlessly as it fell plump on the spot. 

"Firm as a rock, " cried Alzura. "Viva! now for the jump, my boy; it'seasy enough. "

"As long as we come down in the proper place. Stand back, " and pullingmyself together, I took the leap, landing close beside the bundle. This I picked up, and, telling Alzura to throw me the pole, proceededto investigate. 

"Is it all right?" he cried softly. 

"Yes, " said I, and stood back while he jumped across. 

"Caramba!" said he, "that's a nasty bit well over!" and I noticed thathis limbs trembled. 

"All's well that ends well, " I replied. "Come on, my boy; we've donethe worst part, and the track's as plain as a pikestaff now. If we canreach the hill we came down months ago, 'twill be an easy matter tohide. "

"I wonder if the sergeant has discovered anything yet? According tohis account, the guards will think us dead. "

"So much the better for us; they'll give up the search sooner. Hurrah!the ground's getting firmer at every step. I believe we're out of themorass. "

The words were hardly spoken, when, my foot catching in some coarsegrass, I fell sprawling, face downwards. 

"Not quite, " observed Alzura, pulling me up, while I tried to get themud from my mouth and eyes. "It's a lucky thing you didn't try thattrick before. Faith, Juan, you do look a picture! I'd willingly givea hundred dollars to be able to pop you down in Lima!"

"Come along, and don't be idiotic, or we shall find ourselves back onthe islet. "

"Yes, " said he, still grinning all over his face; "we can't stay herelaughing all day. "

"I'm not laughing, " I cried indignantly. 

"Aren't you? Well, you see, old fellow, it's rather difficult to tellwhat you're doing through that black mask. I shouldn't try to rub itoff. Let it cake, and we'll chip it off with a stone. "

"This way, " said I gruffly, taking no notice of his attempts to befunny. "We'd better make straight for the mountains and hideourselves. "

"We've need to, " he replied, with a meaning laugh. 

We were now in a wide plain, dotted with numerous hillocks, and a gooddeal cut up by streams from the overflow of the lake. The ground wasdamp, while here and there we plumped straight into a marsh. By thistime, however, we were in such a state that nothing mattered, and beingunwilling to lose time, we took the shortest though not the mostpleasant route. 

We had a good start of the soldiers, who, as it happened, werecompletely thrown off the scent through finding Alzura's bundle. Knowing the terrible nature of the morass, they concluded we were bothdead, and returned to the island with the tidings. 

We learned this long afterwards from Barriero, who told us how he hadmourned our sad fate, and blamed himself repeatedly for having let usgo. At the time, however, we expected every moment to hear the patterof feet behind us, and raced on till, breathless and panting, wereached the base of the mountain. 

Here we stopped a few moments to recover breath, and then, climbingsome distance, proceeded to search for a cavern. 

"There ought to be several, " said Alzura, "for the mountain has beenmined. Didn't you notice the _rodados_ as we came down?"

"Those heaps of rubbish?"

"Yes. All that refuse has been taken out of the mountain. Here's aheap, and the mouth of the tunnel won't be far away. Now, keep youreyes open. "

I did my best; but Alzura found the cavern, and in a short time we wereboth inside. The place was dark, and smelt dreadfully, the roof almosttouched our heads, and the passage was very narrow. 

"A nice trap!" I remarked. "If the soldiers catch us here, there's anend to our freedom. "

"I'm not so sure of that. The gallery may run a long way back, andperhaps communicate with another. Shall we explore it?"

"Not now; I'm hungry and tired. "

"So am I, and wet and cold too. I wish we had a fire. Better takeyour things off and wring them; you'll be a bit more comfortable. "

I followed his advice, and then we sat down to feast on the dried beefand biscuits, which, happily, we had been able to keep in goodcondition. It was not a brilliant banquet, but we were hungry, and ourteeth were sharp. 

"I think it's a pity I lost my stock, " remarked Alzura, lazily enjoyingthe food. "That bit won't last long. "

"You must eat less. I shall put you on short rations in the morning. "

"Tell me that to-morrow; I'm sleepy now. "

"Aren't we going to keep watch?"

"I don't think it's worth while. The soldiers aren't likely to lookhere for us, unless you attract their attention by snoring too loudly, "and the rascal chuckled himself off to sleep. 

In a few minutes I lay down beside him, and slept soundly till hewakened me by beating a tattoo on my ribs, and saying that he wantedhis supper. We had, in fact, slept through most of the day, and it wastoo late to think of making a fresh start till the first thing in themorning. 

However, as soon as day broke we set out with a hazy idea of making ourway to Lima. By dint of careful economy, our provisions would last forthree days, and then we must trust to luck. We had no notion how thewar had gone, and I should not have been surprised to hear that theRoyalists were again masters of the country. 

About noon on the third day of our journey we sat down beside apleasant stream in a picturesque ravine. There was sufficient foodleft for one meal, and Alzura voted for having it at once. 

"It's a long time since breakfast, " said he, "and this mountain airsharpens one's appetite. Besides, it's good policy to make sure of athing while one has the chance. "

"All right, " said I, laughing, and opening the bundle, "here you are. Don't grumble with me when we have to go to bed without supper. "

"We may get a fresh supply before then; who knows?"

I did not think it likely; but all the same I joined him in an attackon the provisions, which we devoured to the very last morsel. Then wehad another drink of water, and rose to resume our journey. As if thiswere a signal, the rocks round about suddenly became alive with armedmen, who yelled some orders which we could not understand. Thenclambering over the boulders, they surrounded us, and in a short timehad bound our arms tightly with strips of hide. They werefierce-looking fellows--Indians, never seen westward of the Andes--andapparently unfamiliar with the Spanish language. I tried to questionthem, but they did not understand, while neither of us could make out aword of their patois. It was clear, however, that they meant to takeus with them; and as we marched off, Alzura said, with a laugh, --

"What a lucky thing, Juan, that we ate our supper in good time!"

CHAPTER XXV. 

BACK TO DUTY. 

Since the beginning of the war I had seen a great deal of Indianendurance, but nothing to equal that of our new captors. They marchedalong in a curious fashion at a kind of jog-trot pace, taking shortsteps and carrying their feet close to the ground. Mile after mile wascovered without apparent effort, and when at last a halt was called, not a man looked the least bit tired. As for Alzura and me, we wereexhausted, and lay down just as we were. The Indians lit a fire, roasted some maize, and loosening our bonds, gave us a share of thefood, a drink of water, and a little coca. Whether they were friendsor foes we could not tell, but despite their ferocious looks they didus no harm. 

While on the march I had resolved to try them with the charm of thesilver key; but, to my dismay, I found it was no longer round my neck. A part of the chain was still there, but it had snapped off, and thekey was gone, sunk probably in the dreadful morass. However, turningto one of the fellows, I said, first in Spanish, then in the patoisused by Sorillo's men, "We are officers in the Patriot army, andfriends of Raymon Sorillo and the Silver Key; who are you?"

He shook his head solemnly, and looked at me with a blank stare. 

"Try him with English, Juan, " laughed Alzura. "I wonder where he liveswhen he's at home? Perhaps he knows Portuguese. I'll have a shot athim. "

If Alzura knew Portuguese--which I rather doubted--the Indian wasignorant of that language, and was quite unmoved by my comrade's floodof oratory. 

Perhaps he thought Alzura was singing. But my companion in adversitydid not take the suggestion in good part; indeed it seemed to annoy him. 

"Never mind, " said I cheerfully; "they can't march us about for ever. We are bound to meet with civilized beings some time or other. "

"But these fellows may belong to the Royalists! Many of the Indians onthis side of the mountains do. Then we shall be taken back to theisland!"

"We shall have guides across the morass, though; that's one thing to bethankful for. "

"And be put in irons! Perhaps you think that's a subject forcheerfulness?"

"We shouldn't be able to risk our lives again, at all events. "

"Oh, go to sleep, " exclaimed Alzura, "if you've nothing more sensiblethan that to say!" and he rolled a little nearer the fire. 

The next morning the Indians resumed their journey, and after a wearytramp of many miles, encamped on the side of a mountain, where stoodseveral huts in a half-ruined state. One of these was set aside forus, and a sentry was placed at the door. 

Here we remained for three weeks while our captors made frequentexcursions, starting early in the morning and returning late at night, though of their object we had not the faintest idea. At the end ofthat time we were taken with them; and from morn till night, forseveral days in succession, we roamed about those dreadful mountains, till every muscle in our bodies ached with fatigue. 

"What is the use of it all?" I asked Alzura gloomily. "What do theyexpect to gain by this continual tramp up and down?"

"It's my belief that they can't help themselves, " he replied. "It's adisease, a form of madness, which keeps them continually on the move. Yesterday we climbed the same hill a dozen times, and finished at thestarting-point. Or perhaps it's some new kind of warfare they'veinvented. "

"It's awfully ridiculous, anyhow, and I don't see that we've gainedmuch by leaving the island--unless it's exercise. "

"When the war is over, I'll give up walking altogether, " said my chumresolutely. "When I'm not on horseback, or in a carriage of some kind, I'll be carried about in a chair. If this lasts much longer, my feetwill be worn out. "

That evening the Indians lit their fire earlier than usual--acircumstance for which we were duly grateful. We ate our supper, andsat chatting together cheerfully, being put in good humour by thewarmth and brightness of the ruddy flames. 

Suddenly we heard in the distance the long-drawn-out note of a nightbird, repeated again and again, and each time nearer to us. It wasanswered by our sentries; but the men round the fire made no movement, nor did they show the slightest interest when half a dozen horsemenrode up. The leader, however, rose slowly and talked to the strangers, who, after seeing to their horses, came and sat down. 

"Juan, " said Alzura, "these fellows belong to a different tribe. Perhaps we shall have a chance of making ourselves understood. "

"They are looking at us very pointedly, " I answered; and raising myvoice, I said, "Can any of you talk Spanish?"

"Yes, " cried several together, coming near to us; "what do you want?"

"To make ourselves known, " I replied. "These worthy fellows can'tunderstand us, and we're tired of playing hide-and-seek in themountains. "

"Who are you? Where do you come from? Are you for the king?" askedone. 

This was treading on dangerous ground; but as we really were worn out, and there seemed no chance of escape, I thought it best to take thebull by the horns. At the worst we should only be handed over to theenemy and sent back to prison. 

So I answered quietly, "No; we are Patriot officers who have escapedfrom the Spaniards. If you are on our side, perhaps you will help usto return to our own people. "

"You are with friends, señor, if what you say is true, " remarked onewho seemed to have some sort of authority. 

"_If?_" said I, trying to speak haughtily; "do you doubt it?"

"Well, " said the fellow, with a knowing grin, "you don't look much likeofficers of any kind. " And he was right. 

We were, in fact, a pair of as dreary-looking objects as one would belikely to meet. Our sandals were worn out, our clothes hung in rags, and the holes in Alzura's tunic made it painfully apparent that he didnot indulge in the luxury of a shirt. Whether we wore uniform, and ifso what kind, would have been difficult to decide, as we were stillplastered with mud from head to foot. So I could not altogether blamethe man for his distrust. 

However, I repeated my statement, told him we had fought under theEnglishman Miller, and at last introduced the name of Raymon Sorillo. 

"We know him well, " I said in conclusion, "and are good friends of theSilver Key. "

Apparently my words were interpreted for the benefit of our captors, who jabbered together for a considerable time, while Alzura and Ianxiously awaited the result of the conference. 

At last the leader of the horsemen, turning to me, said, "Señor, it isdecided that I shall take you to the army, where your words can beproved. If your story is not true, you will be shot as spies. "

"All right; we agree!" I exclaimed joyfully, for it was a delightfulthought that we were to escape the strange beings who spent their timein running about the rocks. 

"We shall start early, " he continued, "so you had better get somerest. " Which we did, as soon as our excited state permitted. 

"Bravo!" exclaimed Alzura, after breakfast the next morning; "this isan improvement. Fancy being on horseback again! This will be betterthan trudging on foot, Juan, eh?"

"What about the men who have lent us their horses?"

"Oh, " said he merrily, "I believe they would as soon walk as ride, andI'm sure they could keep up longer than the animals. "

By this talk you will understand we had been provided with a couple ofhorses; and taking leave of our original captors, we rode off with ournew ones. Of course, both Alzura and I were unarmed, and the leader, in a quiet way, so arranged that we were never very far from a man witha musket. 

He was rather a lively fellow for an Indian, and having made sure wecould not escape, talked with us freely. He told us the men we hadjust left were very useful, having already sent in a great deal ofvaluable information to the Patriot army. He also said that Bolivarhad crossed the Andes with a large army, and that a decisive battle wasexpected at any time. He was very curious about our escape, and couldbarely credit that we had crossed the morass without assistance. 

"It has been done before, " he said, "but only once or twice, and thenby natives. "

"We shan't do it again, " laughed Alzura. "It nearly turned our hairwhite. It was the nastiest experience I have ever had--worse than whenthe Royalists cut us up at Torata. "

"Were you in that battle, señor? Wasn't it terrible?" and the manlooked at my comrade with renewed interest. 

Indeed, from that time he treated us both with increased respect, andthe journey passed quite pleasantly in his company. During the secondday we met several groups of mounted Indians, and a detachment ofregular soldiers; which showed that we could not be far from the mainencampment, on the plain between Rancas and Pasco. Our guide expectedto reach it that night, but we did not get in till after breakfast nextmorning. 

The plain was a splendid place for a camp, though rather high up, beingsome twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea. Surrounding iton all sides, huge mountains towered, their mighty summits hidden bythe clouds. The table-land itself was alive with soldiers, andpresently I caught sight of the flag which had been presented to thePeruvian Legion. 

"Take us over there, " I cried excitedly to the guide. --"There are ourcomrades, Alzura. I see Plaza, and Cordova, and the sour-faced oldmajor. Viva! viva!" and I rose in the stirrups with delight. 

What explanation the Indian gave I do not know. We were plucked fromthe saddles and bandied about from one fellow to another in less thanno time, every one helping to keep up a running fire of remarks. 

"Now let the Royalists tremble!" exclaimed Plaza, striking a dramaticattitude, spoiled only by the fun and twinkle in his eyes. 

"Only think, our little Alzura has returned to us!" cried another; "letus embrace him. "

"Wait till he's been scrubbed a few times, " suggested Plaza. "Thelegion should be proud of these 'young bloods. ' What airs and graces!What remarkable and novel costumes! What--"

"Can any one lend me a shirt?" interrupted Alzura. 

"A shirt?" exclaimed Cordova. "My dear fellow, I have a dozen, quiteclean and doing nothing, I shall be proud to let you and Crawford eachhave one. "

"Oh, thanks!" said Alzura. "I thought something practical ought tocome from all that talk. Come on, my boy, let's have them at once. Where are they?"

"Just down in Lima. You have only to--" but a roar of laughter drownedthe end of the sentence. 

"You really don't require one, " remarked Plaza; "it would spoil therest of your uniform--that is, if you have one under that dirt. "

Every one was still enjoying the joke, when a number of officers inbrilliant uniforms approached our quarter of the plain. In the leaderI recognized Bolivar; and, to my great satisfaction, Colonel Miller wasone of his suite. 

"Your men seem to be enjoying themselves, colonel, " we heard Bolivarremark; "what is it all about?"

At that moment Miller caught sight of us, and leaving the general'squestion unanswered, called us over, saying, "Alzura! Crawford! Wherehave you been, my boys? We had quite given you up. --General, these aretwo of my young officers who have been missing for months. "

Bolivar, who was in good humour that morning, made us stand by him andrelate our adventures. Then he complimented us on our pluck, andturning to an officer, said, "Take these youngsters to O'Brien, and askhim to supply them with decent clothing; they have at least earnedthat. And I am very proud of you, boys; and so, no doubt, are yourcomrades. " At which Plaza led off a round of cheering. 

I was very glad to see the great, big, jolly Irishman again, and helost no time in getting us fresh uniforms from the stores, with anextra poncho apiece. 

"You'll be glad of that at night, " said he, "for up here thethermometer is generally below freezing-point. I must come to see you, if there's time, and hear your story. "

O'Brien was quite right about the biting cold, but on that first nightat least we hardly felt it. Dressed in our new clothes, comfortablywrapped in our ponchos, seated close to a roaring fire, and surroundedby old friends, Alzura and I felt amply repaid for all our toils andprivations. 

In honour of our arrival our brother officers had organized a grandsupper, the greatest delicacy being a small loaf of white bread, whichthey insisted on sharing with Alzura and myself. After supper, we hadto give an account of our adventures; and many a laugh went up as Itold of my chum's plans, of our disasters in crossing the morass, andof the strange Indians who had mistaken us for Royalists, which, Plazaunkindly remarked, was a poor compliment to the enemy. 

"After all, " he continued, "you haven't had such a very bad time. Now, while you've been playing, we've been at work. "

"Oh, " cried Alzura, smiling blandly, "that would be a change for you!"

"We've made roads, " said Cordova, with a solemn air, "built huts, collected fuel, carried corn, and driven cattle. We've worked harderthan the labourers on your father's estates. "

"Glad to hear it, " laughed my chum. "I thought Bolivar would makesomething of you. A pity we weren't with you, though. "

"A great pity! With Crawford and you helping, there would have beenlittle for us to do. "

"It must have been rough work crossing the mountains, " I observed. 

"Rough? rather! especially as Bolivar has turned us into cavalry, " andhe proceeded to give a graphic account of the passage. 

"The shelving ledges on the mountain sides are so narrow that thetroops were obliged to advance in single file. The cavalry, of course, were greatly handicapped. Each man rode a mule, and had a led horse, which he dragged after him by a lasso. Sometimes a break in the track, caused by a deep gully or a waterfall, occurred, when the men had todismount, and to lead their animals. 

"But the worst of all was when night came while we were still on themarch, " said Plaza. "We always walked then, and more than one fellowwent tumbling down some frightful precipice. We lost our way two orthree times, though there were plenty of trumpeters stationed atintervals. But Cordova will tell you about that, " and there was ageneral laugh. 

"Oh, " said Alzura, scenting a bit of fun, "order, please, for Cordova'sstory. --Now, my boy, out with it!"

"'Twas nothing, " replied Cordova airily. "We missed our way, and hadto return, that's all. A mere accident, only these fellows make such afuss about it. "

"Plaza, you tell the yarn, " said I. "Cordova's much too modest, andthat's quite a new thing for him, too!"

"Well, it happened on the wildest night of the whole journey. Aterrific snowstorm came on, half blinding us. We were wet through andtired as dogs, and the camping-place was still a long way off. Wecouldn't see much, but there was plenty of noise. The wind howled, thetrumpeters blew loud enough to wake the dead, officers shouted to theirmen, horses neighed and mules brayed: it was a regular pandemonium! Tocrown all, we were following the windings of a roaring torrent. "

"And Cordova was leading, " interrupted Major Gamarra. 

"Some one suggested we were on the wrong track, but our friend knewbetter. 'Follow me, ' said he; 'I can guide you by the sounds of thetrumpets. ' And we followed. "

"Like a flock of sheep, " chimed in the major. 

"We went on, " continued Plaza, "till even Cordova admitted somethingwas wrong; then we stopped. "

"Why didn't you turn back?"

"Out of the question, my boy. We tried it, and lost half a dozenanimals in the attempt. The only thing possible was to advance till wereached an open spot. When all our fellows were across we turnedround, and began the march back. "

"Bravo, Cordova!" cried my chum, who was bubbling over with laughter. 

"Oh, come, wait a bit. You haven't heard the best of the joke yet. Wehad done nearly half the distance, when we met the head of anothersquadron that followed us. 'Go back, ' we yelled; 'you've missed theproper path. ' 'Go back yourselves, ' they shouted in reply; 'we can't!'Well, you know, neither party dared move till daybreak; so we stoodthere, crouching against the rocks and holding on to the animals. Wecould neither eat nor sleep. The wind flung the snow at us in masses, and we were frozen to the marrow. Some pretty things were said aboutCordova before the morning, I can assure you. "

"To hear them talk, one would think they were made of sugar!" gruntedCordova. 

"It took us four hours the next day to get out of the mess, " laughedPlaza, "and then we had to catch up with our division. Altogether, itwas a very pleasant incident, though the major here and a few othersfailed to see the fun. "

"But how came Canterac to let you through the passes without a fight?"I asked. 

"A case of pride going before a fall, I expect. He thinks to serve usas he did at Torata. --By the way, Crawford, you gave Miller his wrongrank this morning. He's a general now, and chief of all the Peruviancavalry. "

"Bravo, that's grand news! There isn't a better soldier in the army. "

"Only he's so fearfully energetic. He'll keep one on the move forsixteen hours, and then suggest a little scouting as a titbit to windup with, " said Cordova. 

"You've had a good rest now, anyway. "

"We shall pay for it, though. "

And Cordova was not far wrong. We had barely fallen asleep when thebugles sounded. The troops rose, and mounted officers dashed about, carrying orders to different squadrons and battalions. 

"Breakfast at once; ready to march in an hour, " were the commands, andwe wondered what information Bolivar had obtained. 

Some said one thing, some another, and very soon a fine crop of rumourssprang up. Canterac was advancing with twenty thousand men; his troopshad mutinied, and declared for the Patriots; he was retreating hot-footfor Cuzco; he was a prisoner in the hands of the mountain tribes. Every man suggested the event he fancied most, and seemed quite annoyedif one expressed any doubt of its accuracy. 

"Just our luck, " grumbled Alzura. "I did think we should have had alittle rest. "

"It's just because you're here that we're moving, " laughed Plaza. "Directly Bolivar caught sight of you and Crawford yesterday morning, he determined to march. 'Canterac won't stand against those fellows, 'he said. "

"Bolivar is a capable fellow and a good judge, " said Alzura. "I wonderwhere General Miller is. "

"Went off in the night, reconnoitring with a party of mountaineers. It's wonderful how those wild fellows have taken to him. They'll goanywhere with him. Come along; it's nearly time for us to move, andBolivar doesn't like to be kept waiting. "

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE HUSSARS OF JUNIN. 

Contrary to custom, we moved off the ground slowly, marching along withswarms of Indians on our flanks and in front. For once in a wayBolivar had adopted caution instead of the fiery recklessness heusually displayed, and seemed resolved on running no unnecessary risks. Our course lay southward, over very rough, broken ground, and a staffofficer informed Plaza we were making for the plains of Junin, to thesouth of Lake Reyes. 

"We shall catch Canterac there, " said he, "or Canterac will catch us; Ihardly know which at present. "

Our bivouac that night was cheerless and uncomfortable. The positionwas a very strong one, but Bolivar was evidently determined to leavenothing to chance. The sentries were doubled and in some placestrebled, so that most of us were unable to snatch more than a fewhours' sleep. Early in the morning the journey was resumed, and aftera tedious march of fifteen miles through mountainous country wesuddenly beheld the Royalist army crossing the plains at our feet. Themen, breaking into a thundering "Viva, " waved their caps or swung theirlances in the air, and the cavalry were ordered to shift their saddlesfrom the mules to the led horses. 

"'Twill be a cavalry action, " said Plaza, vaulting into his saddle. "Here comes an 'aid' with orders. "

"There goes Miller with a squadron, " cried Alzura. "We shall be out ofit. The Colombian Horse are moving too. We shall be left behind withthe infantry. "

"Not so fast, " said Plaza, laughing, as Bolivar's messenger dashed upto Colonel Suares, who was in charge of our squadron. "Now for it!"

"You won't be quite so eager presently, " growled the tough old major. "Look at the ground; see the defile between the swamp and the hills. Canterac can cut us to pieces there, and he's soldier enough to knowit. "

"No, no, major; his cavalry aren't a patch on ours. We've never had achance to show our mettle before. "

"Well, we shall have one now, " said the major, as we began to descendto the plain. 

Two Colombian squadrons were in front of us, while Miller was stillfurther ahead and bearing to the left. On the other side of the defilewe caught a glimpse now and then of the Royalist cavalry forming up. The ground was so broken that we could only go at a foot-pace, and Ibegan to think the major might be right. 

As we entered the defile there came a great shout of "Viva el Rey!"from the plains ahead, and the next instant the Royalist horsemen, thirteen hundred strong, and led by Canterac himself, dashed madly tothe attack. 

"Viva! viva!" they yelled, cutting and thrusting with sabre and lance. The onset was like a mighty avalanche, and our men were for the mostpart overwhelmed. A few of the strongest and best mounted cut theirway through, but numbers were overthrown, and the rest came flyingback, with the victorious Royalists slashing and cutting on all sides. 

"By St. Philip, " muttered Plaza, "we shall be swept away. "

Our colonel, seeing the danger, manoeuvred us into an angle of themarsh, just as the mob of horsemen, friend and foe inextricably mixed, swarmed down, shouting, struggling, fighting. 

"Forward! forward!" yelled the exultant Royalists, sweeping past like awhirlwind. 

Farther away on the left, another body was driving Miller's men intothe swamp, and it seemed that the Patriot cavalry must be annihilated. But our squadron remained untouched, and leading us into the plain, Suares issued an order to charge the Royalists who were handlingMiller's troops so roughly. 

"We must win or die, my lads!" he cried; "the country depends on us. "

The men cheered with a will and shook their sabres; we settled morefirmly in our saddles; the colonel rode to the front; the squadronmoved forward and broke into a trot. Men and officers alike knew thatour leader had spoken no more than the truth. We must win or die! Onus alone hung the issue of the battle. If we failed, hardly a man ofthe Patriot cavalry would leave the field alive; if we won, theRoyalists must stop the pursuit in order to help their comrades. 

It was a heavy task, but one thought cheered and nerved us. We wereall Peruvians belonging to the Legion, and it was but fitting that thedesperate venture should fall to us. How our infantry battalion wouldcheer, how proudly they would greet us, should we return victorious!It would be glorious to show both friends and enemies that thePeruvians could strike a stout blow in their own defence. 

"Gallop!"

We received the order with a cheer, bent low in the saddle, and graspedour sabres firmly. Suares knew his work, and led us across a widestretch of smooth, firm ground, the very spot for a cavalry charge. 

Finding themselves between two foes, the Royalists faced about anddashed at us. The shock was tremendous: men and horses were bowledover like ninepins; great gaps appeared in the ranks; men went down andwere trampled under foot in the furious fray; there was a ring of steelas sabre clashed with sabre, and the defiant shouts of the combatantsmingled with the groans of the wounded. 

Reeling and panting, I found myself on the other side of the press. Plaza was there, too, with a dozen of his men. Alzura broke throughsmiling in spite of a nasty cut across the face, and was followed bymany more. Then above the din General Miller's voice was heard, and weflushed with pride. 

"Bravo, my boys!" he cried; "I'm proud of you! All the army will singyour praises presently. "

Freed from the Royalists, his men had got out of the swamp, and nowcame to join us. The few Colombians who had cut their way through inthe first attack galloped back, and inspirited by General Miller'sstern "Hurrah!" we once more flung ourselves on the foe. It was steelto steel now, and the Spaniards stood their ground well till they sawtheir comrades retreating from the defile. Then, with the exception ofa devoted few who stayed in a grim ring around the standard-bearer, they turned to flee. 

"The flag!" cried the general; "have at the flag!" And like a torrentin flood, we swept down on the little band. 

"Rally to the flag!" cried a voice I knew well, and the next instant Iwas crossing swords with Santiago Mariano. I do not care much to dwellon this part of the fight. These Royalists were the pick of theirsquadron, and it seemed as if each man would die where he fought ratherthan surrender the colours. Three or four times the flag disappeared, but came up again the next instant, and presently I saw it borne aloftby Santiago, who had been forced away from me in the fierce turmoil. Hardly a dozen men remained with him now, and we were all round him. 

"Surrender!" cried the general. "It is a pity to kill so brave a man!"

Santiago laughed lightly, dug the spurs deep into his horse's sides, cleared a passage with his sabre, and wheeling his horse by thepressure of his knees, bounded away, crying defiantly, --

"Rally to the flag! Viva el Rey!"

A young Colombian officer levelled his pistol; but Miller struck it up, saying, --

"The odds are heavy enough now. If you want the flag, get it with yoursword. "

The youngster's face flushed, but he kept his temper, and saluting thegeneral, dashed after Santiago, crying, --

"To me, Colombians!"

As Suares had foreseen, our action gave the beaten squadron a chance torally; officers and men who had survived the crushing avalanchecollected in groups, and the fight was proceeding fiercely on the openplain. Ordering our squadron to re-form, the general placed himself atour head. 

Meanwhile, I was watching the gallant Santiago and his handful of men. He was a superb rider, and able to guide his horse without using thereins, thus leaving both hands free. His Royalist comrades, nowreunited, were opposite the defile, and too far off to help, whileseveral detachments of Patriot cavalry were hurrying to cut off hisretreat. Behind him, too, thundered the hot-headed Colombian officerwith a dozen troopers. 

"That plucky Royalist officer will be killed, " said the general toColonel Suares. "He's a gallant fellow--eh, Crawford?"

"He is, sir, " I answered warmly; "and I'd give anything to see him getthrough safely. "

"Why, Crawford, " returned the general, smiling, "that sounds very muchlike treason. "

By this time we ourselves were in motion, but as my place was on theflank, I had a good view of Santiago's desperate venture. A body ofColombians, some twenty strong, had thrown themselves across his path;and though they were our allies, I could hardly keep from cheering ashe dashed through them, losing, as far as could be seen, only one manof his little band. 

Casting a backward glance to see how his followers fared, he waved theflag again, and I could guess at the defiant shout of "Viva el Rey!"that came from his lips. 

"He's just splendid, " said I, between my teeth. But surely now histime was come! Close on his heels rode the beaten Colombians, while infront another detachment, far stronger, awaited him. What would hedo--surrender? That, I felt sure, would never enter his head. 

One chance of escape there was if he would take it. By swervingsharply to the left he might avoid the hostile troopers, and gallopacross the plain to the Royalist infantry. It was evident he saw thisway out; but his blood was up, and he made straight for the forest oflances. 

"Lost!" said I, with a groan. "Poor old Santiago!"

I counted eight men with him, and Royalist and Patriot troops combinedheld none braver. It was magnificent, and yet terrible, to watch themspring at the massed troops, Santiago only slightly in advance of them. I held my breath as they leaped into the throng and were swallowed up. We were not near enough to distinguish the flag amidst the flashingsabres and the long-handled lances, but I feared it had fallen with itsdaring protector. 

The tumult showed that some of the brave few still lived, and suddenlyI heard General Miller, as if his feelings had surprised him intospeech, say in English, --

"By Jove, he's through!"

It was true. There in the distance rode a man bare-headed, waving aflag defiantly, and for all we knew cheering for the king. One by onefour others joined him, and continued the gallop: their comrades laydead on the plain. 

Had half the Royalist cavalry possessed Santiago's pluck, the story ofthis affair at Junin would have had a different ending. 

As it was, the Spaniards began to waver. They could barely hold theirown against the reassembled squadrons from the defile, and our arrivalhad turned the scale. They began to give ground slowly but surely, inspite of their officers' appeals. I saw Santiago again; indeed he wasthe most conspicuous man, though not the highest officer, on the field. Wherever the troops seemed weakest, there he was, flag in hand, cheering them on and fighting desperately. 

When at last they could stand it no longer, but broke and fled, he gottogether another little band to protect the retreat. But for him, Idoubt whether Canterac would have saved a quarter of his cavalry. Once, when turning at bay to repel a fiercer rush than usual, he caughtsight of me, and his face lit up with a smile. He had been wounded, but not dangerously, and his sword-arm was vigorous as ever. 

Again and again, with the aid of his choicest troopers, he stemmed theonset; but his efforts were vain--we were too many. His men droppedone after another, and he was forced to continue the retreat, till theremnant of the Royalist horsemen found shelter behind the lines oftheir infantry, who greeted us with a scattering fire. 

It was now growing dusk, and we could not attack an army, thoughGeneral Miller decided to hang on a little longer. In the long pursuitour men had become scattered over the plain, and he dispatched variousofficers to collect them. Then turning to me, he said, --

"Crawford, ride back, find General Bolivar, and tell him the Royalistsare in full retreat. If followed up strongly, I believe they woulddisperse. "

Saluting, I turned my horse and rode back rapidly. The scene wasbewildering. Officers galloped this way and that, shouting to theirmen; riderless horses careered madly about; slightly-wounded trooperswere hobbling to the rear; others, more unfortunate, lay on the groundgroaning and calling for water; while here and there mounted men wereescorting groups of prisoners toward our infantry lines. 

Several times I stopped to ask where General Bolivar was. He hadentered the defile with the cavalry; but from the time our firstsquadrons were routed I had seen nothing of him. At last an officertold me that, seeing his horsemen overthrown, the general had gallopedback to the infantry, which he had posted on a very high hill about aleague away. 

"He quite expected to be attacked, " added my informant, "never dreamingwe should recover ourselves. The Peruvians saved us. They are finefellows!" For in the gathering gloom he could not distinguish myuniform. 

"Thanks!" said I, laughing; "I'll repeat that compliment to mycomrades, " and rode on. 

Bolivar was standing, or to be correct, walking about, on the brow ofthe hill, looking anxiously toward the plain. Several messengers hadbrought him word of the varying fortunes of the fight, but none hadarrived from Miller. 

I passed close to the head of the Peruvian infantry, and the colonelshouted, --

"What news, Crawford!"

"Good!" I replied, hurrying along; and reaching Bolivar, I jumped tothe ground and saluted. 

"Where do you come from?" he cried. 

"General Miller, sir. The Royalists are in full retreat--horse, foot, and artillery. The general wishes me to say that a vigorous pursuitwould probably disperse them altogether. "

"Too late, " said he; "tell General Miller I have ordered the cavalry toretire on me. --Caza, " to one of his officers, "lend--"

"Lieutenant Crawford, sir. "

"Lend Lieutenant Crawford your horse; his is done up. --Now ride as fastas you can, and give General Miller my message. "

I saluted, sprang into the saddle, dashed past the Peruvian infantry, down the hill, and into the defile. Here I found the main body of ourcavalry retiring in accordance with Bolivar's command, and heard thatMiller, with a squadron of Peruvians, was still following the Royalists. 

It was quite dark now, and the route was covered with hillocks; but Irode on swiftly, trusting to luck, and at length came up with thegeneral, who had halted in his pursuit. On receiving Bolivar's messagehe immediately gave orders to retire, and about seven o'clock wereached our camping-ground. 

Fortunately we managed to collect a little fuel, for the night was sointensely cold that few of the seriously wounded, though receivingevery possible attention, survived its rigours. Even lying close tothe fire and enveloped in our ponchos we shivered. 

A surgeon had sewn up the cut in Alzura's face, and we gave him themost sheltered place, and the one nearest the fire. There was not muchsleep for any of us that night; we were far too excited, and spent mostof the time fighting the battle over again. 

To my delight, every one talked of Santiago and his magnificent bravery. 

"Didn't we take him prisoner once, down south?" asked Plaza. "His faceseemed familiar to me. "

"Yes, " said I: "his name is Santiago Mariano, and at that time he was amajor. "

"Faith, " observed Alzura, looking up, "as far as fighting goes, heought to be a commander-in-chief! A wounded Colombian told me thefellow sprang on them like a lion falling on a herd of deer. A luckything for us that the Marianos are in a minority among the Royalists. "

"Canterac nearly did the trick though, " growled the major. "I thoughthe would drop on us in that defile. I tell you what it is: Bolivar canthank our colonel that he has any cavalry left. "

"Bravo, major! I heard this evening that we saved the army. "

"So we did, " chuckled Plaza; "and we can say it without a word ofboasting. I don't care about praising my own men. " But the rest wasdrowned in good-humoured laughter, as every one knew that the finesttroop in South America--and the world, too, for that matter--wasPlaza's. 

However, it appeared that we really had done a smart thing: for thenext morning Bolivar held a grand parade, and in presence of the wholearmy ordered that henceforth the regiment of which we formed partshould be known as the "Hussars of Junin;" and General Miller publiclysaid that we deserved the honour. 

After the parade we marched into the town of Reyes, which had beensacked by the Royalists. Bolivar occupied the only hut that had aroof, the rest consisting of nothing but bare walls. The inhabitantshad fled into the surrounding country, but now they returned, and didall they could to assist us, lighting fires, cooking our scantyrations, and erecting sheds to shelter us from the cold. 

"I suppose it's all right, " said Alzura; "but I can't help thinkingBolivar has made a big blunder. While we hang about here, Canterac ispulling himself together, and we shall have all the work to do overagain. If I were the general--"

"I should join the other side immediately, " laughed Plaza. 

"Please don't interrupt, " said Cordova. "It amuses me to hear theseyoungsters talk. I'll wager Alzura would have finished the war twoyears ago, only the end might not have been as we anticipate. " Atwhich there was a general laugh. 

"What I don't like about Bolivar is his play-acting, " I said. "Haveyou seen his hut? Have a look at it in the morning. The doorway ishung with silver ornaments in place of laurel wreaths, which theIndians were unable to get. "

"But he can't help the Indians idolizing him!"

"Nonsense! Did you ever hear of such rubbish with San Martin? And theIndians worshipped him!"

"Ah!" exclaimed Plaza, "you're a San Martin man, and jealous of the newsun!"

"A new comet, " said I, a bit testily perhaps, because Plaza hadhappened on an explanation very near the truth. 

"At any rate, " observed Cordova, "it's better to be here at our easethan tramping fruitlessly about the mountains. I'm fairly tired ofthat fun. I want a day or two at Lima. "

None of us guessed how much weary marching lay before us ere wereturned to the capital. However, for the time we were incomparatively good quarters, and though grumbling occasionally becauseBolivar had not followed up the victory at Junin, were quite preparedto make the best of things. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

A DISASTROUS RETREAT. 

When General Canterac retreated from Junin, he fled from his ownshadow. Instead of pursuing him closely, we advanced in a leisurelyway to Guamanga, and stayed there a month doing nothing. Then wemarched to Challuanca, where Bolivar, being needed at the capital, leftus under the command of General Sucre, who had shown himself a veryskilful soldier. It seems we were not strong enough to proceed, and asthe rainy season was at hand, no one thought the Royalists would returnto the attack. 

The Patriot army was spread across the country for many miles, our postbeing on a high tableland four leagues from Challuanca. The weatherwas abominable. Frequent storms swept through the district, the rainfell in torrents, the thunder pealed in reverberating claps among themountains, and many animals and some men were killed by the lightning. It was bitterly cold, too, and our only shelter was a cluster ofmiserable Indian huts, where we passed all our time when not on duty. Often I returned to my cheerless quarters cold, shivering, anddrenched, yet with no change of clothing. 

To add to our misfortunes, it was rumoured that the various Royalistarmies, having united, were marching to attack us; so for days togetherwe were kept on the alert, riding for hours over the desolate countryand returning thoroughly exhausted. 

One evening early in November I got back after a twenty miles' ridewith a small patrol, and found the camp in a state of confusion. 

"What is it, Alzura? what's all the fuss about?" I asked, wearilygetting off my mule--for we rode horses only when absolutely necessary. 

"Oh, my dear Juan, you will be delighted, " he replied, his facebrimming with fun. "We are just going back to Challuanca. The viceroyis somewhere in our rear with all his army, and we have to run for it. "

"My animal is dead-beat, " said I gloomily. 

"You must walk, and lead both animals. Never mind, dear boy; theexcitement will keep you going, " he answered, laughing. 

"Hullo! is it you, Crawford? In luck's way again! And I've beenworrying about your being left behind, " said Plaza, coming up. 

I did not exactly see where the luck came in; but the sound of thebugle cut short my reply, and I took my place in the column. Thatmarch was the longest twelve miles I remember. Sometimes riding, sometimes walking, aching in every limb, and more than half asleep, Iplodded along the rocky path, dreamily wondering at every step whetherI could take another. As soon as we arrived at Challuanca I just laydown on the bare ground, and was fast asleep in a second. 

It was daylight when the sounds of bugles awakened me, and I rosesleepily. The army had disappeared, with the exception of oursquadron, which I afterwards found formed part of the rearguard. 

"Come on, sleepy-head, " sang out Alzura, "or you'll get no breakfast. I've seen to your animals. A wonder they didn't kick you to death inthe night!"

"The poor beasts were too tired to have a kick left in them. Where'sGeneral Sucre?"

"Going on to a place called Lambrama. Do you know Miller is aprisoner?"

"A prisoner? I don't believe it. "

"It's true, nevertheless. His scouting party has returned without him. From what I can hear, we're in a tight fix. "

According to rumour, Alzura was right; but after a long and wearisomemarch we reached Lambrama, where General Sucre halted. During theafternoon, while we rested in the valley, a great shout from the troopson our right brought us to our feet, and we saw a soldier on abeautiful white horse descending a pass into the valley. 

"That's General Miller's horse!" I cried excitedly. 

"And the general's on its back!" said Plaza. "Viva! viva Miller!" Andthe cry was taken and repeated by thousands of lusty throats. 

I had witnessed San Martin's brilliant reception, and had seen Bolivarfêted by his admirers; but this outburst was the most remarkable ofall. One would have thought the general was a personal friend of everyman in the army. 

Each battalion, as he passed it, broke into renewed cheering, the menflung their caps into the air, and the whole scene was one of amazingenthusiasm. The general rode along slowly, and his smiling face showedhow greatly he was touched by his reception. 

"The man's a marvel!" exclaimed Plaza admiringly. "Look at him! Onewould think he had just come from a pleasure-trip instead of beinghunted through the mountains. I warrant the viceroy would count hiscapture cheap at half a million dollars. "

"Say a million, and it would still be cheap, " said Alzura; and most ofus agreed with him. 

General Miller apparently brought important information, as, shortlyafter his arrival, orders were issued for a fresh start. I need notdwell long upon our sufferings during that disastrous retreat. TheRoyalists had outmarched us, and, hoping to stop our advance, closedmany of the defiles and destroyed the bridges by which we should havecrossed the numerous rivers. 

Several times we caught a glimpse of the enemy, and one night thehostile armies bivouacked within two miles of each other, but separatedby a deep and rugged valley. The terrible march was so weakening usthat many officers hoped the enemy would attack at once. But this theviceroy, who was a clever old soldier, would not do. His plan was towear us down by degrees and only fight at an advantage. 

For several days we remained watching each other, but on November 25ththe Royalists disappeared, and Sucre immediately made preparations tocross the valley. A swollen river lay in our path; the bridge wasdestroyed, and there was no material with which to build another. 

The crossing was simply terrible. The weather was intensely cold, andeven at the ford the infantry were breast high in icy water. It wasdeath to remain behind, however, and though many men, numbed andexhausted, were swept down the stream, only two lives were lost. 

On the last night in November we reached a valley whose sides wereclothed with enormous trees, and the order to encamp was gratefullyreceived. 

"Thank goodness!" said Alzura. "We shall have a comfortable night atlast. The trees will shelter us from the cold winds, and we shall beas cozy as in bed. "

"Humph!" said Gamarra testily; "much you know about it. In half anhour you'll wish we had camped on the top of a mountain. "

"Why?" I asked curiously, for the valley seemed to me a very suitablecamping-ground. 

"Wait!" growled the crusty old major; "you'll soon know. "

This sounded very mysterious, but in a short time the secret was out. We had just settled ourselves comfortably when Alzura started up, andsome one said, in a tone of great disgust, "Mosquitoes!"

They were very fine specimens, and, I suppose, exceedingly angry at ourinvasion of their territory. They came buzzing up in countlessthousands, and though many were slain, the slaughter made no apparentdifference in their numbers. 

I had put on my gloves, and now hastily covered my face with ahandkerchief. The mosquitoes were by no means dismayed. Thirsting forblood, they would not be denied, but drank deeply. To any onemosquito-proof the scene would have been most laughable. We made adesperate fight, but the victory was to the mosquitoes. 

Our hands, necks, and faces were swollen from their venomous bites. Some of the men could hardly see; and though we were dreadfullyfatigued, every one longed to hear the bugle-call to fall in. No onewanted to remain in what Plaza christened "Alzura's paradise. "

The welcome sound came at break of day, and we moved out quickly, abandoning the battlefield to our active and vigorous foes. As soon aswe reached the open country the rain began to fall, and continued intorrents all that day and the following night. 

"I don't exactly see how much better off we are than Barriero, "remarked Alzura, as we lay down to sleep in a muddy puddle. 

"You should have stayed with him, then. "

"It's all very well to say that now. Why did you bring me away?"

I was too much staggered by the audacity of the question to make asuitable reply. 

Hungry, cold, and wet, we resumed the retreat, and soon began defilinginto another valley. Our squadron was right in the rear, and suddenlythe sounds of firing and the cries of startled men were heard in frontof us. 

"Mount!" cried the colonel; for we were still leading our horses, andmost of our mules were dead. "Forward! Trot!"

"Some of the enemy have doubled and cut in on our flank!" said Plazaexcitedly. 

"Gallop!" roared the colonel, as entering the valley we caught sight ofwhat was going on. 

Unperceived by us, a Royalist detachment had stolen down the valley andflung itself on the flank of our two rear battalions. Taken bysurprise, and outnumbered, our men were speedily overpowered, andbefore we had arrived on the scene they had dispersed in all directions. 

To the shouts of "Viva el Rey!" and encouraged by their officers, theRoyalists were hotly chasing their beaten enemy. The valley was in astate of terrible confusion. The dead bodies of men lay scatteredabout; a few of the victors were dragging off an abandoned gun; otherswere carrying away stores and baggage. The fight was a completedisaster for our side. 

"We can't do any good, " whispered Alzura, as the colonel halted us, "and I doubt if we aren't cut off ourselves. "

"Better charge at once, " muttered Plaza; "the more we look at it theless we shall like it. "

"My lads, " cried the colonel, riding down the ranks, "there is a stiffbit of work before us. Let us remember we are the Hussars of Junin. "

The troopers responded with a ringing "Viva!" and as we got a firmerseat on our saddles, Alzura remarked, --

"That's the way to talk, Juan. These fellows will fight to the deathnow. "

There was something fresh happening on the other side, but we had notime to see what it was. The bugle sounded, and with the colonelleading we dashed straight across the valley. An infantry battalionpeppered us from the right, and a squadron was drawn up right acrossour path. 

Men began to fall. Here and there a riderless horse, darting from theranks, tore across the valley. We were, as Alzura said, in a warmcorner. 

Bullets whizzed past our ears, but we noticed them not, riding straightas a die at the hostile cavalry. 

"The major's down!" cried Plaza. "Poor old major!"

That was his only epitaph. We had no time to sorrow for any one justthen, though we mourned for him sincerely enough afterwards. 

"Charge!" roared the colonel; and the sabres flashed as the horsesbounded forward, thundering with their hoofs on the ground. 

"Caramba!" cried Plaza; "it's your old friend Mariano. Well, friend orfoe, this is his last fight if my blade can reach him. "

Yes, the officer who had accomplished this daring flanking movement wasnone other than Santiago Mariano, who, with the flush of success on hishandsome face, was again leading his men to the charge. 

"Viva el Rey!" he cried, and his voice rang high and clear above thedin. "Down with the bandits!"

Crash! We were into them, fighting our way through desperately. Horses pranced, and bit, and kicked. Men shouted triumphantly, or wentdown with a cry of agony on their lips. Here a gap was made and filledat once, as some daring fighter urged his way forward. 

Alzura rode with the colonel, carrying the colours, and we pressedafter them, knowing that our sole chance of safety was to get throughthe Royalist squadron. On coming out at the other side we heard avoice crying, "Bravo! bravo, my bold hussars!" and there was GeneralMiller, who seemed to scent a fight as a hound scents its quarry. 

By this time Santiago had re-formed his squadron, and was dashing atour rear, when from the rocks above us sprang a line of fire, and hishorsemen, wheeling round, rapidly withdrew. While we had beenfighting, General Miller had rallied the beaten battalions and postedthem in a commanding position to cover our ride through the pass. 

That night in bivouac we counted Santiago's venture had cost us morethan two hundred men, all the spare horses, and a quantity of stores. 

"I hope you are proud of your Royalist friend, " said Alzura to me. "Hehas done us a nice bit of mischief. "

"He's a smart soldier. "

"He is that, " agreed Plaza, "and a splendid swordsman. I had a goodbout with him, but could not pass his guard, though he was defendinghimself against three of us. "

"Did any one see the major after he fell?" I interrupted. 

"No, " said Alzura; "but I feel sure he is dead, as the bullet passedthrough his forehead. He was a grim old fighter, and I'm sorry he'sgone. "

"So am I. But he died a soldier's death, poor old chap, " said Cordova. "We must have lost heavily since the retreat began. I wonder whatSucre intends doing now. "

"Why, continuing the retreat. "

"To Lima? If so, he won't have a hundred men left by the time hereaches the capital. "

"Well, what can he do? We can't stay here and starve, and he can'tmake the Royalists fight. "

"As to starving, " laughed Alzura, "I would as soon starve here aselsewhere. I'm getting used to it. "

"And I don't know, " remarked Cordova, "that forcing a fight will be sovery brilliant for us. We have had one sample to-day. "

"Oh, go to sleep! You might be a raven as far as croaking's concerned. One would think we were in a hole and couldn't get out. Trust to Sucreand Miller; they'll pull us through all right. "

"I'm going to sleep, " announced Alzura gravely. "I had a beautifuldream last night, and want to go on where reveille interrupted it. Idreamed we were in Lima, at a banquet given by the city to the Patriotofficers. There was a band to play during the feast; the hall wasbrilliantly lit; the table was laden with all kinds of good things. Wewere just beginning when the band struck up, and I woke to hearCrawford saying, 'Are you going to sleep all day?' It was a splendidfeast, though. Such a quantity of--"

"Sit on him, Juan! stifle him with his own poncho! Fancy talking ofbanquets now! Cruelty to animals I call it. "

"Why, I thought you'd be delighted, " grumbled Alzura. 

In a very short time we were all asleep. We rose at dawn, hungry andshivering, to resume our journey. On this day the enemy marchedparallel with us, but on the other side of a deep gorge, and GeneralSucre tried in vain to draw them into an engagement. Their leader wastoo crafty. Why need he sacrifice his men?

"It's a pity from our point of view, " remarked Plaza, as we toiledalong, "but they are playing the proper game. We're like fruitripening on a tree. When thoroughly fit we shall just drop and begathered without difficulty. "

"Who's croaking now?" asked Cordova, "I'm simply stating facts, " replied Plaza. "Look at the road. "

"Thanks; I've seen more than enough of it already. "

"We're half starved. "

"That's less than a fact, " laughed Alzura. "You can put me down asthree-quarters. If decent food were set before me, I shouldn't knowhow to eat it. "

"We're losing hundreds of men, " continued Plaza quietly, "and we've onemiserable field-gun. "

"Take a dose of your own medicine, " said I, laughing. "Trust to Sucreand Miller; they'll pull us through. "

The captain's gloomy fit soon passed off, and he was as cheerful asever; but there was no doubt of our being in a very awkward position. As far as fighting went, we could hold our own till doomsday; but wewere bound to eat, and food did not grow on the mountains. 

Bolivar was working with all his fiery energy to hurry upreinforcements from Colombia and Chili, but until they arrived he couldnot send them on. Then, too, the viceroy had gained over severalIndian tribes, and they had already cut one detachment to pieces. Asfar as I could judge, the Royalists had the whip-hand, and unless theymade a mistake we should very shortly be at their mercy. 

On the sixth of December we halted at a little village, and a thrill ofjoy went through the troops when it was rumoured that our leadersintended to attack the enemy at all risks. Wearied men, who had thrownthemselves exhausted on the ground, struggled to their feet; starvingmen forgot their pangs; the very invalids crawled into the ranks, someof them so weak that they could barely trail a musket. 

"Stand by your horses!" said the colonel, as the enemy were only threemiles off, and we might be required at any moment. 

An hour passed and we still waited; the morning wore away; afternoonmerged into evening, and we were ordered to encamp. Something, we knewnot what, had gone wrong. 

"I don't know if there was a chance to-day, " observed Plaza, "but won'tthere be one to-morrow?"

"Why?"

"Because the Royalists will block the road along which we must retreat. Then we must either throw ourselves against a terribly strong position, or stay here and starve. "

Events soon proved that he had not spoken at random. Early nextmorning the enemy moved to an almost impregnable post. Twice ournumber of strong men, flushed with victory and well equipped with guns, might well have hesitated to attack. As for us, it was sheer madness. 

Things had come to the worst now. Further retreat was barred; ourprovisions, even if we subsisted on the shortest of short rations, would not last five days, while to move against the foe was simply tocommit suicide. 

"Lucky Barriero, sitting in his little hut!" said Alzura; "no fighting, no starving! The next time we're taken prisoners we'll make the bestof it, Juan. "

"I doubt if the Spaniards will make many prisoners--that is, among theofficers, " growled Cordova. "The men will be spared, but we shall beput out of the way of doing mischief. "

I think myself Cordova exaggerated the danger; but his opinion wasshared by the great majority of the Patriots, and it was this fearwhich made them resolve to fight to the bitter end rather thansurrender. 

After breakfast we lounged about on the heights watching the Royalists, who had encamped just without gunshot, wondering what our leaders woulddecide to do. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE BATTLE OF THE GENERALS. 

"They're coming down!" cried Alzura excitedly, rushing into our tent. 

It wanted two hours to sunset; we had done nothing all day, and tiredof watching the enemy on the opposite heights, most of us had gone tosleep. 

Alzura's announcement woke us up, and running forward, we glancedeagerly at the hill, which a battalion of infantry was descending. 

"Skirmishers, nothing more, " said Plaza quietly. "They fancy we mightattempt a night attack. Take my word for it, they won't be foolishenough to meet us on the plain. "

"Unless they try a rush in the dark. "

"That's just possible, but not probable; they're sure of us withoutthat. "

"There goes a battalion of our light infantry in extended order, "remarked Cordova; "but there won't be any real fighting to-night. I'mgoing back to bed. "

"A very sensible proceeding, too, " exclaimed a genial voice; andturning round we beheld General Miller. "I should advise all of younot on duty to do the same, " he added. 

"Are we going to fight, general?" I asked eagerly. 

"Hullo, Crawford! I've been so busy that I've lost sight of youlately. Well, I hardly know. Perhaps the viceroy would be better ableto tell you; he knows more about it than I do. "

"I don't think he'll abandon his strong position just to give us abetter chance, sir, " remarked Plaza. 

"Perhaps not, " replied the general. "But you mustn't think he's inclover up yonder. His men are as hungry as ours, and that's sayingmuch. If it is a fight, however, 'twill be a fight to the finish, andthe Hussars of Junin won't be missing!"

"Take us with you, sir!"

"That's just what I've come to see the colonel about. I intend to getall the regiment together and use it as a battering-ram. "

"He thinks the Royalists will attack, " said Alzura, as the generalpassed on. "He has heard something important, you may depend. And whyshouldn't they? they're two to one, and have no end of guns. "

"I like his idea of using all the regiment, " laughed Cordova. "Nearlya half of the third squadron are mounted on baggage mules; their horsesare all dead. "

"They must get fresh ones from the enemy, " I suggested. 

"Come, " said Plaza; "there's nothing more to see here. " And wereturned to the tent. 

Anxious to have a good long night, Cordova soon fell asleep; but Alzuraand I sat up chatting till within an hour or two of dawn. We couldhear the hostile skirmishers peppering away at each other at intervals, and somehow the sounds seemed to be the prelude to a coming battle. 

Fortunately the morning dawned fair, but there was a nip in the airwhich impelled us to move about smartly. Then the sun rose gloriouslyover the eastern peaks, and its genial warmth raised our droopingspirits. I cannot account for the feeling, but somehow the whole armyfelt that a battle was imminent, and the faces of the troops wore alook of excited expectancy. 

Directly after breakfast, or what we were pleased to call breakfast, the men began moving to their positions, each corps being formed inclose column. For the better understanding of what happened, I musttry to describe our position. We were drawn up on a nearly squaretableland known as the Plain of Ayacucho, a league in circumference, and flanked right and left by rugged ravines. We had the village atour backs, and the only road by which we could retreat was effectuallyblocked. The Royalist army was perched just below the summit of agigantic ridge called Condorcanqui, which formed the eastern boundaryof the plain. 

At seven o'clock our regiment moved out, and the men of the thirdsquadron, of whom Cordova had spoken, provoked much humour andgood-natured chaff as they rode past on their baggage mules. It wasthought that they would help to make a show, but no one suspected thatlater on, when ordered to remain in the rear, they would answer firmly, "No, we will conquer or die with our comrades!"

The cavalry, consisting of four regiments, was stationed in the centre, with an infantry division on either side, and a third in the rear as areserve. 

About nine o'clock a great cheer rose from all parts of the plain: theRoyalists were descending the craggy side of Condorcanqui. Between theinfantry of each division appeared the cavalry, the riders leadingtheir horses and advancing with difficulty. It was an impressivescene, and we stood watching with breathless interest. 

Then our fellows renewed their cheering as General Sucre, riding alongthe line, addressed a few rousing words to each particular corps. 

"A tough nut to crack, " remarked Plaza, watching the Royalists form, "but we'll get at the kernel before the day's over. "

"There's the beginning!" cried Alzura, as the infantry on our rightslowly advanced. "Hurrah! we're to help!" for an aid-de-camp fromGeneral Sucre had just dashed up to Miller with orders. 

We waited eagerly for the word to mount, but our turn had not yet come. Two cavalry regiments moved off with Miller, and left us gazing at thedrama being unfolded before our eyes. 

Our infantry columns marched to the attack like so many automaticmachines; the Royalists waited firmly, as if confident of victory. Westood holding our horses, and quivering with excitement. Much woulddepend upon the result of that first encounter. 

"They're stopping to fire, " cried Alzura. "Now they're moving again. Viva! they're going to charge. Look at the sun on their bayonets. "

Would the Royalists give way? No; they stood firm as the rocky heightsbehind them--not a man moved. It seemed to me that there was not evena tremor in the whole mass. If our fellows charged and failed, theywould be cut to pieces. We were like spectators in a theatre, only thedrama was a real one. 

A mighty "Viva!" floated back to us as our men broke into the charge. It was neck or nothing now--decisive victory or stern defeat. 

"The Royalists will run, " muttered Plaza; "they must. "

But they did not, and the next instant bayonet crossed bayonet indesperate conflict. 

Excitement drove us well-nigh crazy. We cheered and shouted and wavedour sabres, as if by so doing we could help in the fight. Our troopshad met their match, and seemed to make no impression. Unless theywent forward shortly they must retreat. 

"If they're driven back, " remarked Plaza, "they are lost. "

How the struggle would have ended I cannot tell, but just then we brokeinto a cry of relief. The two cavalry regiments which had made a widedetour were seen bearing down on the Royalists' flanks. They sweptalong at hurricane speed. Nothing could stand against the shock oftheir long lances. A portion of the Royalists, facing about, delivereda telling volley at short range. Men and horses went down with acrash, but the survivors were not checked. A second volley crashedinto them, making wide gaps, and then, with the force of a roaringtorrent, they literally swept away the barrier of men and steel. 

"That settles it, " said Plaza, breathing deeply; "the bravest troops inthe world couldn't recover from such a smashing blow. It's a case ofcomplete rout, in that part of the field at all events. "

He was right too. The enemy would not, indeed could not rally. Hereand there small groups stood at bay, fighting desperately but vainly tostem the onset of their pursuers. All they could do was to diefighting, in the hope that the sacrifice might save their comrades. Even those who reached the heights were not out of danger. Whiz, whizsped the bullets; and numbers of the fugitives rolled down the mountainside till their bodies were caught by crag or brushwood. 

So greatly was our attention absorbed by the scene that we had scarcelynoticed what was happening on our left. Suddenly, however, a heavyfire broke out, followed by the quick reports of hundreds of muskets. Our colonel glanced in the direction uneasily. His orders were strict. He was on no account to move his regiment, and yet--

"Crawford, " said he, looking round, "see what that firing means. "

I sprang to the saddle and galloped off. But for our success on theright, I should have felt inclined to take a gloomy view of things: ourleft had given way. 

Two Royalist battalions were advancing in pursuit, while still furtheron the left a cavalry regiment was swooping down on one of our reservebattalions sent in support. The crafty enemy had crossed a deepravine, on the farther side of which a whole division was stationed. 

A mounted officer, with cap gone and cloak flying in the wind, pulledup on seeing me, and said rapidly, "Where is your regiment? Take me toyour colonel quickly. We want cavalry; we must have cavalry, or ourwhole left will be rolled up!"

"This way, " I replied, and together we galloped towards the Hussars ofJunin, reaching the colonel just as General Miller dashed up from theright. 

"What is it?" he asked hastily. 

"We are overpowered, sir. The enemy have four field-guns across aravine; our division has suffered terribly, and the troops are givingway. The general requires a regiment of cavalry immediately. "

"Tell him it's coming, " replied Miller. --"Now, colonel, here's a chancefor your men to show their mettle. We've smashed the enemy on theright; let the 'Hussars of Junin' do the same on the left. "

How we did cheer as our colonel led us out! General Miller's face worean anxious expression as he glanced over the field. Everywhere thevictorious Spaniards were driving back our left wing; we should only bejust in time to repair the mischief. 

"Push those two infantry battalions across the ravine while I rally thefugitives, " said Miller. But he had barely spoken when the Royalistcavalry dashed down on the right flank. 

"Here's Crawford's friend again!" said Plaza. "We might have guessedhe had a hand in this business. "

Santiago made a handsome picture as he tore along well in front of hisregiment, and enemy though he was, I could not help feeling proud ofhim. We turned to meet this vigorous onslaught, and though Santiagofought with all the traditional valour of his race, his men, alreadytired by their great exertions, could not stand against us. 

Stopping their flight, our own infantry rallied, and advanced insupport, while their loud cheers proclaimed the arrival of a secondcavalry regiment. Nothing daunted by his repulse, Santiago led histroopers against the new enemy, while we bore down on the hostileinfantry. 

"Gallop!" cried our colonel; and neck by neck the horses flew over theground, the men waving their sabres and cheering lustily. We could seethe glittering steel of the bayonets now, could almost look down thebarrels of the muskets, when there came a blinding flash, the thud offalling bodies, and hoarse shrieks of pain. 

"Forward!" thundered the colonel, "forward; remember the 'Hussars ofJunin!'"

Crash we went right into them before they could fire another volley, and then it was horseman against footman, sabre against bayonet. Toand fro we surged, striking parrying, thrusting, till at last the braveenemy, unable to continue the struggle longer, fled to the ravine, hotly pursued by our victorious regiment. 

In a calmer moment we should have pulled up, but there was no stoppingnow. Some one raised a warning cry: it came too late. Down the ravinewe went, the horses slipping and scrambling--some rolling over andcrushing their riders; the majority, keeping their feet somehow, reached the opposite bank. A small detachment of the enemy halted tofire a scattering volley, which did some mischief. A man close to mefell forward on his horse's neck. 

"Good-bye, Crawford!" said he faintly; "I am done for. "

It was Cordova; but there was no time to help him. On we dashedstraight at the guns, which the gunners dared not fire, so mixed upwere friend and foe. A cry of "Viva el Rey!" arose in our rear. Santiago was galloping back. 

The Royalists could not stand. Miller had brought up three battalionsin double-quick time; the guns were ours; horse and foot we swept overthe plain, driving the enemy pell-mell in all directions. Only theregiment led by the undaunted Santiago endeavoured to cover theretreat, and at last it too fled. 

Not so their brave leader; he remained on the field. I found himlater, with a hole in his side and a nasty gash across the face. Hewas not dead, however, and with assistance I carried him to thevillage, where a surgeon dressed his wounds. Then I returned to myregiment. 

"It's all over!" cried Alzura exultantly. "The viceroy is takenprisoner, and Canterac has come to sue for terms. He is with Sucrenow. "

"Where is Plaza?"

"Just gone to find poor Cordova. It's hard lines to drop off in themoment of victory. And the war is over now; the Royalists will neverlift their heads again. "

This was not quite correct, as a few still held out in other parts ofthe country, but they were powerless to do any real mischief. Thisbattle of Ayacucho--or Battle of the Generals, as we called it--securedthe independence of Peru. Fourteen Spanish generals, some of them themost famous in South America, gave up their swords; nearly six hundredofficers and most of the rank and file became prisoners of war. 

Late that evening I went to see Santiago. He lay on a bench in amiserable hut, where several wounded officers had been brought forshelter. Two small earthen lamps gave a feeble light, barelysufficient for us to see each other's faces. I bent over him, andchoked back the sob that would rise in my throat. We neither of ustried to gloze over the truth. He was dying, and we both knew it. 

"I am glad you have come, " he whispered. "It will soon be over, and Iam not sorry; I have tried to do my best. "

"Indeed you have, old fellow; friend and foe alike are loud in yourpraise. "

"I have been loyal to my king; I have done my duty, " he continued, notheeding the interruption. "Life is precious, Juan, but honour is thefirst thing. My name is unstained. I die as I have lived, a cavalierof Spain!"

That thought cheered him as he took his last and long journey. He wasyoung and handsome and well beloved; he had fair estates and hosts offriends; he might have risen high in the councils of his nation; butdeath, stern and unyielding, claimed him, and he braced himself to meetit. 

"Thank God!" he murmured; "I die with a clear conscience. "

I stayed with him till nearly midnight, when he became unconscious. Then having work to do, I sorrowfully went away. Next morning, on myway to the hut I met General Miller. 

"Poor fellow!" he said, when I told him of Santiago's state. "I willcome with you. I remember him well. "

Just as we were moving on, we met General Sucre accompanied by aSpanish officer, who on seeing Miller ran forward and embraced him. 

"I know you!" he cried. "I am Valdés. You and I must be friends. "Then turning to General Sucre, he added, "This Miller has often kept uson the move. I am called active; but he was a regular wizard--here, there, everywhere, without giving a clue to his intentions until hedealt us some sly blow. "

I looked at this celebrated Spanish general with a great deal ofinterest. He was a small, spare man, with keen eyes and rough, weather-beaten face. He wore a broad-brimmed beaver hat, a coarse graysurtout, and long brown worsted leggings. He stooped slightly, and tojudge by appearances, one would never have thought he was perhaps thefinest soldier in the Spanish service. 

Sucre left the two chatting, and presently Miller said, "I was justgoing to visit one of your men, a Colonel Mariano. Do you know him?"

"Mariano? He was my best cavalry officer. It was he who helped me tocut up your rearguard some time ago, and to drive back your left wingyesterday. I'll come with you. "

"He will be very pleased to see you, no doubt. --You go first and showus the way, Crawford. "

Santiago lay with closed eyes, breathing so faintly that at first wethought he was dead. 

"Santiago, " I softly whispered, "do you know me? I have brought you avisitor. "

His eyes opened slowly, and there was a fleeting smile in them, but hedid not speak. 

"Colonel!" said Valdés, stepping to the side of the bench. The soundof that voice brought the poor fellow for a short time from the Valleyof the Shadow. By some extraordinary means he managed to sit upwithout assistance, raised his hand to the salute, and in a clear, ringing voice exclaimed, "At your service, general!"

It was the last act of his life. On placing my arm round him toprevent him from falling, I found he was dead. 

"A fine fellow, " said General Miller quietly. 

"A thorough soldier to the end!" cried the Spanish general. 

I said nothing, but mourned none the less the true friend I had foundin the ranks of our enemies. 

We were very quiet in camp that day. The excitement of battle hadpassed, and we were counting the cost of our triumph. Many familiarfaces were missing, and the death of Cordova especially affected us. We had been through many perils together, had endured many hardships, and it seemed a pity that he should not have lived to taste the sweetsof victory. 

Shortly before sunset that same day I received a message from GeneralMiller asking me to go to his quarters. I found him expecting me, andhe at once plunged into the subject upon which he wished to speak. 

"The war is now over, Crawford, " said he, "and General Sucre is able torelease a large part of his force. I am proceeding to Cuzco, but thereis no need for you to do so. You have done your share, and I intendsending you on special service to Lima. "

"Oh, thank you, general!" I answered, my eyes sparkling and my cheeksflushing with pleasure. 

"The regiment will return in a few weeks at the most, " he continued. "Be ready to start in the morning, and don't forget to remember mekindly to your parents. Some day I hope to call upon them. "

"I am sure you will receive a very warm welcome when you come, general, " I replied, taking the hand held out to me. 

"Well, dear boy, " said Alzura, on my return to our quarters, "what isthe news?"

"Good, " said I, "though perhaps it's a bit selfish to say so. I startto-morrow for Lima. The regiment proceeds to Cuzco, but it will returnto the capital in a few weeks. "

"All right, old fellow. I'm glad to hear of your good fortune, thoughI shall miss you awfully. Mind you hunt up my people and tell them I'mall right and hoping to see them soon. "

Of course I promised to do so, and then went to wish the othersgood-bye. 

"I hope you will find all your people well, " exclaimed Plaza on hearingthe news. "After all, you're only a sort of advance courier, and weshall soon meet again. "

"We shall expect you to give a ball to the officers of the regiment, and a feast to the men, when we reach the capital, " cried Alzuramerrily. 

"Meanwhile, " said Plaza gravely, "take my advice, and have a good rest. "

CHAPTER XXIX. 

HOME AGAIN. 

Home again! The weary journey was at an end. 

I had crossed the desolate mountains, and was riding into Lima. Thecity was gay with flags and bunting; decorations abounded on all sides;joy-bells pealed, and the streets resounded with the merry laughter andchatter of the citizens. 

News of the brilliant victory at Ayacucho had evidently preceded me. 

I longed to ride home at a gallop and throw myself into my mother'sarms; I yearned eagerly for a glimpse of my father's face. I was (donot think the confession weak) utterly homesick. Duty, however, claimed me a while longer, and I turned my horse's head toward theGovernment House. 

It was not possible to move at more than a foot-pace. The crowd surgedaround me; little children, garlanded with flowers, ran close to myhorse's hoofs. I was terribly afraid some of them would be trampled todeath. 

Many soldiers were there, too, their uniforms spick and span, andunspotted by the soil of the Andes. Mine was dirty, bloodstained, andnot altogether free from rents. I rode carefully, but my eyes wereheavy and my limbs ached with fatigue. 

Darting suddenly from the throng, a man seized my bridle-rein and criedaloud, "A soldier from Ayacucho! Here is one of our brave deliverers!"

[Illustration: "A soldier from Ayacucho! Here is one of our bravedeliverers!"]

Instantly I was surrounded by the crowd, which pressed me so closelythat my horse could barely move. Viva after viva rent the air;laughing girls and women half smothered me with flowers; men marchedbeside me or fell into line behind, forming a kind of triumphalprocession. One would have thought I was the saviour of the country--asecond Bolivar!

Thus, laughing, cheering, and singing, they escorted me to theGovernment House, where, leaving my astonished horse with the guards, Ihurried inside. An official, in all the glory of a gorgeous uniform, demanded my business, and remarked haughtily that the president wasengaged. 

"Tell him, " said I, "that a lieutenant of the Hussars of Junin is herewith dispatches from General Sucre. "

After waiting a few minutes, I was conducted through the spacious hallto a room guarded by a file of soldiers. My attendant knocked timidlyat the door, which was immediately opened, and I entered the apartment. 

Bolivar sat at a table dictating letters to his secretary and talkingto several officers of high rank. His complexion seemed sallower thanever, his dark hair had more of gray in it, but his eyes had lost noneof their penetrating keenness. 

I saluted and stood at attention, waiting for him to speak. 

"Ah, " exclaimed he, in his loud, rasping voice, and turning his eyesaskance as he usually did in conversation, "you are LieutenantCrawford! I have not forgotten you. How is it that you still haveonly two stripes?" pointing to the stripes of silver lace round mycuff, which denoted the rank of lieutenant. 

"I do not know, general, " I replied. 

"Your Excellency!" corrected one of the officers standing near. 

"Let him alone!" cried Bolivar; "he is a soldier, and 'general' comesmore naturally to his lips. --Where are the dispatches?"

I presented them. 

"Humph! enough work here for the rest of the day, " said he on glancingthrough them. --"Garcia, " turning to one of the officers, "countermandthe reception; I shall be too busy. --Ah, here is a letter from Miller!I see he commends you very highly, young man, and desires to bring youto my notice. There is nothing I like so much as rewarding truemerit. --Garcia, make out Lieutenant Crawford's commission as captain inthe Hussars of Junin, for bravery on the field. --I congratulate you, captain. I see by your face you are anxious to go. "

After thanking him for my promotion, I said, "Yes, general; I have notseen my father and mother for a very long time. "

"Your father--ah, now I remember. He is no friend to me--would be gladto see me out of Peru, in fact, eh? Well, I shall go some day. But heis a true man for all that, and an Englishman. I love the English. Perhaps it is as well for your father that I do. Tell him, CaptainCrawford, that Bolivar has some good points. "

"He has already recognized them, general, " I answered. 

"He conceals his discovery well, then. But I will not keep you longer. Present yourself at my levee in the morning, and don't forget to wearthat extra band of lace. "

"There is no fear of that, general, " said I, with a smile; "I am tooproud of the honour. "

Apparently the remark pleased him, as he was very gracious when I tookmy leave, though the officers-in-waiting looked at me as if I had beenoverbold. 

Out again into the street. The crowd had dispersed, and only a fewpeople were about as I once more mounted my jaded animal. Now forhome! Forward, good horse! My spirits rose with every step; the tiredfeeling left me; I could have sung aloud for very joy. 

The sight of the Montilla hacienda sobered my happiness somewhat. Thegrounds were trim and well-kept, but the dwelling looked untenanted. What had become of Rosa? Perhaps--yes, that must be it--she wasstaying with my mother. I urged my horse into a spasmodic gallop, butthe poor beast soon resumed his old pace. 

There was a horse behind me, though, that could gallop. I turnedquickly to see who the rider was, and laughed gaily. 

"Why, Jack!" cried the faithful José, his eyes brimful of pleasure. 

"Captain Crawford, if you please!" I interrupted with assumed dignity. 

"Captain or general, it's all the same to me, as long as you're homeagain, Jack, with no scratch on you! Hurrah! won't there be a fuss inthe house to-night!" and away he went at breakneck speed toward thegate. 

"Better so, " said I, jogging along. "He'll be able to prepare them alittle. --Come, old boy, " to my horse, "can't you manage even a trot?Well, never mind; we're nearly there. "

The gate of the park was wide open, and inside stood more than half ofmy father's servants. They could not wait for me to reach thecourtyard. How they cheered, to be sure! It was a pleasant foretasteof the welcome that awaited me. 

Good old Antonio was at the little gate, so I dismounted and spoke aword with him, though my feet itched to be dashing along the courtyard. Then I sent my horse to the stables, with strict orders that it shouldbe carefully groomed and fed, and made comfortable. 

At last! My heart beat loudly; my head was dizzy; I could barelydistinguish the figures in the hall. But my mother's arms were roundme, her lips pressed close to mine, in a fond embrace. 

Then came my father's welcome, and presently, in the brilliantly-litdrawing-room, a young girl came forward and placed her hand in mine. She was dressed in black, and looked somewhat sad and careworn, as iflife had not been particularly pleasant of late. 

"Welcome home, Juan, " said she softly; and I saw by her face she wasthinking of the night when I had ridden hurriedly away in the vainendeavour to save her father's life. We did not speak of it then, andwhen, after changing my clothes, I returned to the drawing-room, Rosawas not there. 

"She has gone to her own room, " explained my mother, noticing my lookof disappointment. "It would have been difficult for the poor child tostay with us this first evening. "

"She has heard of her father's death, then?"

"Yes, " said my father, quickly and with a warning glance. "She knowsthat the Indians shot him, thinking he had been in correspondence withthe Royalists. "

I understood at once that my father was aware of the truth, but that, with his usual kindly thought, he had kept it from both the bereavedgirl and my mother. He never alluded to the miserable incident, nordid I; and Rosa was left in ignorance of the real reason for herfather's untimely end. 

Of course, we sat late talking over my adventures in the mountains, andof the terrible battle which had secured the independence of Peru. 

"Yes, " said my father confidently, "whatever else happens, theSpaniards will never again rule over this country; their power isbroken. But we are not yet out of the wood: as a Peruvian, I stillfear Bolivar's ambition. "

"Oh, " I exclaimed gaily, "I had forgotten Bolivar! He has made me acaptain!" and I told them all about my interview with the celebratedgeneral. 

"I admit his good points, " laughed my father; "but I do not like to seeone person invested with such tremendous power. Still, there is nodoubt we owe our liberty in great part to his wonderful energy, together with his determination never to acknowledge defeat. He hastoiled day and night like a slave. "

"I shall be glad when your regiment returns, Juan, " said my mother. "Iam longing to see your brave friends, and especially Alzura. I seem toknow him quite well already. "

"You are sure to like him, mother. He is a delightful companion, fullof fun, and always laughing and joking. Plaza is older and more of asoldier, but I owe a great deal to his kindness. "

"We will endeavour to repay it, my boy, " said she brightly, kissing megood-night. "Don't stay up too long. Remember you have to attend thelevee in the morning. "

When she had retired, I asked my father for news of Raymon Sorillo. 

"He is still serving against the Royalists, but his band has sadlydiminished. He came here secretly one night, and informed me of yourattempt to rescue Montilla. I think he was very angry; but he said itwas a daring act, and almost successful. However, he bears no malice, and is as ready as ever to stand your friend. "

"Ugh!" said I, getting up with a shiver; "I hope I shall not need hisassistance. "

The next day, after attending the levee, where Bolivar was particularlygracious, I obtained an indefinite leave of absence, and returned home. 

Rosa was alone, and though rather dreading to be asked about thebusiness of the silver key, I thought it best to get the interviewover. As it happened, I need not have worried myself at all. 

"I wanted to see you, Juan, " she said, giving me her hand. "It seemsages ago when I sent you out on that terrible errand. I ought not tohave done it; but my father's life was at stake, and I did not think ofthe danger to you. "

"Think no more of it, Rosa. After all, the danger was trifling; theIndians would not have hurt me. "

"I don't quite understand the story, " she said thoughtfully, "but Iknow you risked your life. "

"There was little risk. I had a slight chance to rescue your fatherfrom the Indians, and seized it. Unfortunately the attempt failed, andI was captured by the Royalists. So in one way you did me a good turn;for while the other fellows were starving and fighting in themountains, I was pretty comfortably off. "

"But you were in the great battle?"

"Yes, I was. I escaped from prison chiefly to please a mad-brainedyoung lieutenant of my regiment. But it is all past now, Rosa, andthere will be no more fighting. "

"I am sorry for his Majesty, " she said simply, "and for the loyalgentlemen who have died for him. "

"There were some splendid fellows amongst the Royalists, " I said, andproceeded to tell her the story of the gallant Santiago Mariano. 

"He must have been a brave man, Juan!"

"He was, and he had equally brave comrades. Now that the struggle isover, they will join us, and we shall all work together in peace forthe prosperity of our common country. The war has been a terribleevil, but I am hoping that much good may come from it. I dream of agrand future for Peru, and of a time when the Land of the Sun shallrecover its ancient glory. "

"I hope your dream will come true, Juan. I am sure you will try tomake it do so, " she said. "But you must not expect me to be pleasedthat we are no longer loyal subjects of the Spanish king. "

 * * * * * *

Here ends the story of my adventures during the War of Independence. The Spanish power was completely crushed; but, as my father hadforetold, there were still many misfortunes in store for our unhappycountry. The men who had fought so hard for liberty quarrelled amongthemselves. There were endless disputes and conspiracies, and manysoldiers who had bravely faced death on the battlefield were executedby their fellow-countrymen. 

For two years Bolivar ruled at Lima. He was at the height of hisglory. He had freed Venezuela, New Granada, and Ecuador from theSpaniards, and joined them into the one country of Colombia. UpperPeru he had formed into another country called Bolivia, and he was thereal master of Peru proper. 

His boundless ambition, however, overreached itself. Enemies rose upagainst him on all sides. He was driven from power, and seven yearsafter the battle of Ayacucho died a broken-hearted man. 

After his departure from Lima, my father's Spanish friend, General LaMar, who had once been Governor of Callao, was elected president, andthe country settled down into a state of something like order. 

There still remain a few personal matters to be recorded before my penis finally laid aside. 

Among those who opposed Bolivar's rule in Peru, none was more bitter orreckless than the guerilla chief, Raymon Sorillo. Unfortunately forhim, the war had greatly weakened the society of the Silver Key. Hisbravest men and ablest lieutenants had died fighting, and he was leftwith only a shadow of his former power. 

Undaunted by this, he openly defied Bolivar's authority. For severalmonths he held his own against the regular troops, but at last, beingcaptured, was tried as a traitor, and condemned to death. 

My father made strenuous efforts to save him, and would have succeededbut for Sorillo himself. 

"The man is a desperate ruffian, " said Bolivar, in answer to myfather's appeal for mercy; "but I will pardon him on condition that hetakes the oath of allegiance and swears to obey the laws. "

Overjoyed by his success, my father hurried to the prison where Sorillowas confined. The doughty mountaineer refused the offer with scorn. 

"I took up arms for the independence of Peru, " said he, "not toexchange the tyranny of the Spaniards for that of a Venezuelanadventurer. I thank you, señor, from my heart, but I prefer death tothese conditions. "

My father stayed with him nearly the whole day, but could not shake hisresolve. So in the early morning the redoubtable chief was led intothe prison yard, and was placed near a wall. Some of the soldierswished to bandage his eyes, but he would not allow it. 

"No, " said he; "I have looked in the face of death too closely and toooften to fear it. Fire! I shall not tremble. "

Thus he died, and whatever else may be said, it cannot be denied that, in his own headstrong, obstinate way, he was faithful to the cause forwhich many better men had laid down their lives. 

Of my friend Plaza it is only necessary to say that, through GeneralMiller's influence as well as by his own merit, he rapidly advanced tohigh office, being made governor of one of the inland provinces. Hehas paid me several visits since he left the hussars, and his soleregret is that Cordova did not live to share in the general goodfortune. 

An old acquaintance, who has also since done well in the world, isBarriero. When the victory at Ayacucho became known, the prisoners onthe island rose in revolt, and overpowered their guards. Barrieroplaced himself at their head, seized all the arms and ammunition, andformed the patriots into a company. Then, assisted by some Indians, hecrossed the morass and marched to Cuzco, where, to his joy andastonishment, he heard that Alzura and I had safely escaped across thedreaded swamp. 

Alzura resigned his commission shortly after the regiment returned toLima. He succeeded to a fine estate near the capital, and is one ofour most frequent visitors. My father is very fond of him, and as formy mother, I sometimes say she thinks more of him than of myself;indeed, the dear fellow has almost become like a second son to her. 

José is still my father's right-hand man. He has long since amassed asnug fortune; but I expect he will die in the old home, where he is anesteemed and valued and trusty friend. 

Felipe Montilla's hacienda no longer stands desolate. Rosa has againtaken up her residence there, but under the name of Crawford, andemploys me, as my father jokingly says, to look after her estates. Sheis still a Royalist at heart, but as the years pass she becomes moreand more reconciled to the changes which have taken place since Peruobtained its independence

 AT THE POINT OF THE SWORD. 

THE END.