There was a night riot in the streets of Ilo, knives gleamed in
ruffian hands, curses and blasphemy fell from sodden lips. Shots were
fired in the thick of the struggling mass, as the mob crowded in
frenzy about some central figure. The crowd from behind pressed
forward and Thompson and I were carried along by the crush of
humanity, until of necessity we began to fight our way out. We had
partially succeeded, when we were surrounded by soldiers. At sight of
the soldiers the crowd began to disperse, but unfortunately for us it
was too late, besides we had nothing to do with the riot, and thought
we had nothing to fear.
The officer stepped up and placed Thompson and I under arrest. We were
searched, but no arms were found on us. However, we were marched away
to jail and our feet placed in iron bars, fastened with a heavy lock,
which compelled us to lie on our backs.
The next morning an officer appeared and I notified him that I was a
British subject, and resented such treatment. He told me that I was
held for attempted murder. Thompson was also under the same charge. An
Italian had been shot and would probably die. I demanded an immediate
trial. Several officers of the railway came and endeavored to set us
free, but their efforts were of no avail. There was no British consul
nearer than Arica, about two days travel by steamer, and no means for
communicating with him until the steamer arrived from the north.
Our prison was an old wooden structure, and only one guard was over
us. The officer and his men had quarters some distance away. It was
our intention to ask the soldier on guard for a drink of water about
midnight, when Thompson would overpower him and take his keys. A
small boat was to be in readiness at a certain place. Our plan was,
after obtaining the keys, to put the soldier in the stocks and walk
out, all of which could easily have been accomplished, as the soldier
was but a small ignorant half-breed Indian. It was Sunday night and we
had decided to put our plan in operation, when--imagine our
surprise--an officer informed us to get ready to take the train for
Moquequa.
We were accompanied by an officer and six men. I asked the officer
what the removal was for, and he said our trial was to be held and it
was necessary for us to be present. I asked permission to speak with
the engineer, which was given. I told him I dreaded being taken into
the interior, as we would be away from our friends, and begged him
when we came to a certain grade along the line to increase the speed
and I would jump off. I was familiar with that part of the country,
knew I could secure a horse and go to Mollendo or Arequipa. I knew
also that the officer and his men had never been on a train, and it
would be impossible for them to give chase.
But we were again doomed to disappointment. The engineer feared to
carry out the plan and instead of increasing speed, went slower than
usual.
On our arrival at Moquequa we were marched through the streets, to my
great humiliation, as I knew many people in the town. Numbers of them
came and offered their sympathy. To our great indignation we were
thrown into a cell with six other prisoners convicted of murder, and a
more ugly, villainous and desperate-looking lot of characters would
have been hard to find anywhere. No attention had been paid to my
remonstrance, when an hour later a gentleman, whom I had favored,
presented himself. After I told him the circumstances of our detention
he said he would send a lawyer to defend us. In the meantime he
arranged with a hotel keeper to send us regular meals, also mattresses
and blankets.
The day following I had many visitors, some drawn by curiosity and
others by sympathy and good will. The latter were profuse in their
attentions. When a lawyer appeared, I related to him the details of
our arrest. I did the talking, as Thompson could not speak the
language, while I was becoming quite proficient in it. Upon leaving,
the lawyer promised to have us free in eight days at most.
I passed away the dreary time pacing that prison cell. It was about
twenty feet long and twelve feet wide, and contained nothing but stone
walls and floor, with a heavy iron-grated window which looked out on
the plaza. A bottle of wine came with each meal, instead of coffee,
and I shared it with the criminals in our cell. In this way I soon won
their good will, and as they had all been convicted of murder, they
did not hesitate to tell me of their horrible crimes.
There is no capital punishment in Peru. Sentence for life, in that
country, means about fifteen years, and seldom do they serve that
length of time. Usually a revolution releases them. At such times
insurgents invariably break open the prisons and liberate the
convicts, which happened to these prisoners a few months later. We
were visited daily by my lawyer and finally were told that four
hundred dollars would be required for our liberation.
"Liberate us and I will give you the money," was my answer.
Next day I bid adieu to my undesirable residence and companions;
Thompson had no money and I paid all. After purchasing new clothes and
receiving the congratulations of friends, we boarded the train for
Ilo. Mr. Hill returned from Lima that day and after learning of the
indignities inflicted upon me, told his officials that they should
have notified the British consul and compelled the Peruvian
authorities to pay, instead of taking my money.
I returned to work in the shops, and three weeks afterward one of the
office clerks came in breathless and told me I was to be arrested
again along with Thompson. The papers would be down from Moquequa
that night and tomorrow morning they would come for us.
I was furious when I realized that we were again facing punishment for
a crime of which we were innocent and I determined to resist arrest,
and leave Ilo.
I went to the office of the secretary of the railroad, and after a
long consultation, it was agreed to have three of Mr. Hill's best
horses in readiness at midnight. One of the hostlers was to accompany
us and when we reached Tambo, Thompson and I would take the train for
Arequipa.
I went to my room, packed my clothes, carefully loaded two revolvers
and placed my trunk and other articles of value in the hands of my
friends, with orders to send them to Arequipa after the sensation of
my escape was over. After supper, to allay any suspicion the
authorities might have, I strolled along the wharf, went into a
billiard hall and actually played a game of billiards with the captain
of the guard, who I have no doubt had the order to arrest me in his
pocket. Thompson had gone to his room. I followed thirty minutes
later, and at precisely twelve o'clock, I sallied out of the house by
the rear, and met Thompson at the agreed place on the beach.
The night was dark, and everything being in readiness, we mounted and
rode through the town dressed like natives. We soon gained the highway
leading to Tambo and after being well clear of Ilo, we put our horses
to their best. We rode the fifty-five miles to Tambo, over a rugged
and mountainous country and caught the train for Arequipa, arriving
that night after an absence for me of two years.