ould not have been far wrong in saying that no stran

desert studded with hills, and having in the background stupendous ranges of towering mountains. From north to south the desert is cut at intervals by streams,

nown. Sometimes after a sandstorm a cluster of dry bones may be seen-the sole remains of lost travellers and their animals. At times even the most experienced guides lose the track

now that this coca is a plant something like the vine, and it grows to a height of six or eight feet. The leaves are very carefully gathered one by one. They are bitter to the taste, however, and as a rule strangers do not take kindly to coca. The Indian is never without it. It is the first thing he puts into his mo

y respect. I was lodged in the best house, and was given the best fare the valley produced. Within the valley I was master, but

rt being 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

ventured to hope that my friend still lived; but as the weeks and months passed without any tidi

happen when Mr. Maxwell had to confess the schooner was overdue, and that nothing had been heard of her. Many miserable hours I spent

hen an unusual commotion in the valley caused me to get up. My Indi

cking towards the entrance to the valley, did not appear alarmed. Several of

he arms of two Indians, was the rider, a short, rather stout man of brown complexion. His eyes were glazed as if i

ered feebly down the path. In one hand she carried a small pitcher, and in the other a funnel, whose slender stem they inserted between the man's teeth. I

ken man was carried slowly up the path. One native attended to the horse, a

rom Raymon Sorillo, Qu

sandstorm. Perhaps he lost the track. Perhaps the soldiers gave chase, and h

s likely t

aved him. Didn't you

hinking that but a

ime," returned Quilca. "It has beg

I been the patient, I should have st

ay here lon

lca. "The chief gives or

l return at

s lik

a message to my mo

Besides"-and he touched the cord supporting

and; but the medicine worked wonders, and at the end of a we

rising to which they looked forward had been put off. The Chilians wer

ed, it was most extraordinary to see with what reverence his commands were treated. Had

d the messenger, who, on seeing th

rd's commands?"

r chief. Say to him that Juan Crawford is safe in the Hidden Valley, and ask

id, "I will remember." Then he added in quick,

s my f

nt again and kisse

r people, and when he was killed there was

ife for you,"

red the man; and no one hearing him could

o travel, and his last words as he struck into t

thousand could hope to accomplish successfully; but he was a daring and plucky rider, used alike to desert and mo

er. I no longer fretted at being shut up in the valley, but passed my time merrily with the boys and younger m

hough not gaining a first prize in any event, I performed so

a warrior," said they, and

d regular exercise had made my muscles hard as iron. Like my companions, I wore a short woollen jacket, dark in colour, and breeches open at the knees, and caught up with strips of coloured cotton. My cap was of wool gorgeously embr

messenger returned, bringing me two letters-

ver again, until I could almost say it 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

he wrote, "but I thank God

ef. After saying how glad he wa

The fruit ripens slowly, and even yet is not ready for plucking. San Martin

ced a great difference in our hitherto peaceful abode. Every man went armed day and nig

y were acting under the secret orders of the great chief. They were absent three days, and when, in the gray dawn of the fourth morning, they ro

said I, as Qui

g," replied h

ur followers hav

," he answered, with fierce sat

d started the Indians on the war-trail. Already the Spaniards were safe only in large numbers, for

f their enemy almost to a man, and had learned the most effective method of attack. Generally spe

man Cochrane had swept the Spanish fleet from the seas. José had often spoken of this daring sailor, who, after performing many glorious deeds in the British navy, h

ot wishing to remain cooped up in the valley

One morning, in the last week of January 1821, I had gone out very early, half expecting to see Quilca returning fro

!" he cried; "

first, riding slowly, as if his horse were tired out. His men, lolling o

e end of the line; and then I opened my eyes wide, thinking t

ac

as with a startled cry I ran past them to where in th

could say no more, but stood staring at him as

as he looked into mine. It was strong and firm and purposef

d laying a hand on my shoulder, "you're qui

seen her

we'll talk of that later on.

than living

didn't go down in t

omething to eat. Give your horse to this youngster,

you'd be waiting to see the braves come home. That Quilca of yours

just to hear the sound of his voic

, and his womenfolk brought in th

was rather halting. He talked of the war, and told how the Chilians had landed, and how the Royalists were broken up and

d expected them to fight to the death; but it was pleasing news, all

hen I took him for a stroll in the valley,

the Spanish soldiers, the coming of General Barejo, and the power of the silver k

drop of blood in his body to keep this country for Spain. He's Loyalist and Ro

ur to him!" I

ueer smile; "but, all the same, he

me your own adventures, and where y

The waves just flung me about anyhow. The other chap lasted an hour or two, when down he went with a scream, and I heard no more of him. But I needn't dwell on 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. I had just strength to crawl a few yar

heard I w

n I was told. It was old Mr. Warren who informed me. I went to

ht; I un

ng yarn; but as soon as he said you wer

As it was, I plied him with questions, asking this and that-if my pony was well; had he seen Rosa Montilla;

w he had found his wa

our black-browed bandit, who passed me on to one of his band. How he

at are we g

Spaniards give in, we can

f they

in that

eneral San Mart

e many youngsters of your age with the army, and you've a big stake in the