We had for two days been travelling through a wild and mountainous
country, skirting the base of the Cordilleras, which served as our
guide, and looking out for a pass known to Pedro, by which we might
cross them. Our provisions were expended, though we had frequent
opportunities of replenishing our water-skins, which enabled us the
better to support our fatigue. For some distance we passed over a
portion of the great high road of the Incas, which led from Cuzco to
Quito; and as it was no longer used by the Spaniards, we had no fear of
encountering them. It was far superior to any of the modern roads, and
showed the high state of civilisation to which the Peruvians had arrived
in those days. It was from about twenty-five to thirty feet broad, and
paved with large flat stones. At intervals of about twelve paces I
observed rows of smaller stones, laid horizontally and slightly elevated
thus making the road ascend gradually by a succession of terraces or
steps. On each side of the road there was a low parapet wall of small
stones. When I remembered that this gigantic and finished piece of work
extended for many hundred miles, from one end of the dominions of the
Incas to the other, I felt greater regret than ever that the country had
been wrested from them by a people who had so cruelly neglected its many
advantages.
By the side of the road, situated on hillocks within sight of each
other, were small edifices, where the messengers who promulgated the
commands of the Incas throughout the country were stationed. A signal
was made whenever a messenger left one of the stations, and one from the
next met him half way and received the despatch, which was then
forwarded from successive stations till it reached its destination. We
arrived towards the evening at one of these station-houses (many of
which still remain in tolerable repair); and, as a storm was
threatening, we resolved to make it our abode for the night. It was a
small, low, round tower, but the roof was wanting, which was our first
care to supply. For this purpose Ned and I tore off and cut down a
number of branches from the trees which grew near; and finding, in a
hollow some way down the hill, a pool with rushes growing round it, we
collected a sufficient supply to aid materially in forming a thatch. We
left Pedro meantime to clean the floor, and to light a fire, though we
only had some cocoa and a little Indian corn to cook by it.
Returning with our materials, we placed the boughs across the top of the
walls, with the rushes in the form of a rude cone verging from the
centre above them. I then collected a number of stones, with which the
road supplied us, and handing them up to Ned, he put them on the thatch
to prevent its being blown away. Our work being speedily concluded, for
Ned had a very systematic way of doing everything, I bethought me of
collecting some more rushes to form a bed for Pedro. I was hurrying
down for the purpose, when on my way I observed between the trees the
walls of a building, standing on a level plot of ground. I called to
Ned, and we set off together to examine it, for it struck me it was a
small farm belonging to _mestizos_ or Indians. We soon reached it, and
I found I was not mistaken. The inhabitants had lately fled, the roof
was off the hut, and the maize crop had been reaped. We were at first
without hopes of benefiting by our discovery; but as I was looking
about, I observed a fig-tree with some ripe figs on it, which I at once
collected; and on further search, Ned espied a herd of guinea-pigs
nestling under the walls. To knock some of the little animals on the
head, was the work of a minute. We would gladly have exchanged some of
them for corn, but just as we were about to return to our tower, I
discovered a few ears of maize still standing close to a wall. With
much satisfaction I gathered all I could find. We had still more good
fortune in store. Close to the front I caught sight of a she-goat with
a young kid by her side. She had been a pet of the family, I suppose,
for she did not run away from us. Ned at once caught the kid, and
carrying it in his arms, the mother came after it to our hut.
"I haven't the heart to kill the little animal," he observed; "but I'll
tell you what, mate, the mother shall give the young Don a bowl of milk.
It will do him more good than all the doctor's stuff in the world."
Pedro could scarcely believe his senses when he saw us returning with
our valuable prizes. We had now a supply of food to last us for many
days, and we might, if we thought fit, remain and rest till Pedro was
better able to proceed. We soon had a guinea-pig skinned and roasting
before the fire; and then Ned caught the goat, and, acting the part of a
milk-maid, filled a tin jug with milk, which he insisted on Pedro
swallowing. The figs were very fine, and after the coarse food on which
we had so long lived, we found them most grateful to our palates. As we
sat round our fire, in spite of the smoke, we felt ourselves in the
enjoyment of abundance of luxury. Our fire-place was composed of a few
stones; some others served us for seats. Our meat was somewhat tough,
and we were without salt. Parched maize served us for bread, and our
beverage was cold water, while our beds were composed of rushes and
leaves sprinkled on the bare ground; but this was more than we had
enjoyed for some time, and we had walls to protect us from the night
breeze, and a roof to keep out the rain. Pedro and I were not merry,
for we had too much cause for painful reflection. But we were
contented, and Ned Gale declared that he was as happy as a prince--that
he had weathered on the Dons, and had the prospect of a long cruise on
shore. He fastened the kid up within our tower, but the old she-goat
was turned out, as we knew that she would not stray far from her young
one. It had not long been dark when the storm we had observed broke
over our heads. The thunder rattled, the lightning flashed, and the
rain came down in torrents; but though a good deal found its way through
the roof, we were able to pick out dry spots for our beds, and we had
cause to be thankful that we were under shelter of any sort. As our
abode also had stood for so many centuries, we had no fear of being
washed away. We had collected a supply of stones to block up the lower
part of the entrance; and with some boughs in addition we constructed a
door, which was sufficient, we thought, to keep out any wild beasts or
other intruders. Before turning in, we cut the flesh off the other
guinea-pigs, and smoked it over the fire; and we also parched a supply
of maize, in case we should be unable to prepare it on any future
occasion. Notwithstanding the tempest which was raging outside, we
slept very soundly, Ned and I keeping alternate watches, for we were
anxious to give Pedro as much rest as possible. Ned insisted on taking
the first watch; and when he awoke me, I found that the greater part of
the night had passed away. I expostulated with him on making me take
less than my share of watching.
"Never mind, mate," he replied; "you are young, and want sleep. I'm
accustomed to do with very little, do you see. Often's the time, for a
month on a stretch, I've not had more than three or four hours out of
the four-and-twenty, and have been roused up to shorten sail two or
three times between them."
The storm had passed away, and when I put my head out through the
branches which formed the door of our abode, I saw that the stars were
shining brightly in the deep blue sky. As I stood there inhaling the
fresh breeze, that I might the more easily keep myself awake, I saw a
dark object emerge from among the trees, and stop, as if looking
cautiously around. It was standing in the shade, and at first I thought
it was an Indian, though what his intention could be I could not divine.
Presently he came more into the road, and advanced towards the tower,
when I saw, to my no little dismay, that he was an enormous black bear.
He had probably, I thought, scented us out; and I fully expected a visit
from him. I did not like to arouse Ned; but I took up one of his
pistols which lay on his knapsack, and held it in my hand ready to give
the gentleman a warm reception, should he venture to put his snout into
the tower. On he came, waddling at a great rate down the road.
"He is certainly coming," I thought. "Now, if I miss him, he will give
me a hug I shall not like."
I cocked my pistol, and kept my stick ready to give him a poke in the
eye, which would keep him at bay till Ned could jump up to my
assistance. He stopped for an instant, and gave a low growl: his
instinct probably told him that some enemies were near. I drew back a
little, lest he should catch the glimmer of my eye. Then he again
advanced quicker than before. He soon came so close to me that I felt
almost certain that I could hit him; but still as I thought I might only
wound him and make him savage, I did not like to fire. I scarcely dared
to breathe or move. He passed on down the hill, and I again breathed
freely. Presently I heard him give another growl, and directly
afterwards I saw him waddling back again at a leisurely pace with
something in his paws. As he went by the tower, I perceived that it was
the unfortunate she-goat, whose kid we had fastened within. I was
determined, if I could not save the poor goat's life, at all events to
deprive Master Bruin of his supper, and calling out to Ned, I dashed
through the boughs in pursuit of him. It was hazardous work I own, but
I had not a moment for thought. Had I, probably I should have acted
more wisely. Ned was on his feet in a moment, and with his pistol in
his hand in pursuit of the bear. Bruin saw us coming, but showed no
inclination to relinquish his prey. He ran on at a great rate, and it
was some time before we overtook him. Even when we were close to him,
he continued his flight, apparently taking no notice of us.
"Whatever you do, don't fire, mate, before he shows his face!" exclaimed
Ned. "Give him a poke in the neck; it will make him turn perhaps."
I accordingly gave him a plunge with my stick, keeping, however, beyond
the reach of his paws should he turn suddenly round. Even this did not
make him stop, so I gave him another dig, which at last brought him to
bay, though he still kept hold of the goat. Immediately he faced about.
Ned fired his pistol, aiming at his eye. The ball took effect, and,
with a growl of fury, the beast rushed at us, at the same time dropping
the goat. On this we retreated down the road, repenting not a little of
our folly in having attacked him. Seeing that the bear had received no
mortal injury, Ned snatched the other pistol from my hand, and waited
steadily till the bear got within arm's length of him. I trembled for
his safety, but resolved not to let him stand the brunt of the combat
alone. I made a desperate charge with my stick. This distracted the
attention of Bruin, who seized hold of my stick, and at the same moment
Ned fired. The ball hit him, I saw, but was afraid had not mortally
wounded him, for, with a loud growl, he sprung upon my companion. Ned,
however, was on the alert, and leaped nimbly on one side, as I did on
the other, and the brute fell headlong over on his snout. We could not
help giving a shout of triumph at our victory, which made Pedro, who had
been awakened by the shots, hurry up to us, wondering what was the
matter. We were not quite certain that our foe was really dead; but a
few pokes with our sticks at length convinced us that he was so, and we
therefore ventured to examine him. The ball from the last shot had hit
him in the eye, and entered his brain.
"Some bear steaks won't be bad things," observed Ned. "Now mates, let's
look after the goat. I had made sure of a cup of milk for Pedro this
morning."
We found the goat a little way off, but Bruin had hugged the breath out
of its body, and it was dead. Pedro and I thereon dragged the goat
close to the hut, while Ned was employed in cutting the proposed steaks
out of the bear.
"You see, mates, it won't do to leave the work for the morning, for
before that time the condors, the jaguars, and the pumas will be down
upon him, and tear every scrap of meat from his bones," he remarked. "I
wish he had been rather farther off, for the beasts will keep up such a
concert that we shan't be able to sleep much more to-night."
When he had finished operating on the bear, he began on his victim,
observing that though goats' flesh was somewhat strong, it would serve
to make a variety in our provisions. We had now more meat than we could
well carry, in addition to which, as the kid could not live without its
mother, we were obliged to sacrifice that also. On re-entering our
abode, Pedro and I employed ourselves in cutting the meat into slips and
drying it before the fire, while Ned again laid down to obtain his share
of rest. Pedro told me that the species of hear we had killed lived
chiefly on fruits and vegetables, and that he often commits great
ravages in the maize-fields of the Indians, by breaking off the green
tops and carrying them away to his hole in the mountains; but when he
cannot obtain that sort of food, he will catch deer and wild boars, and
will even attack the oxen employed in the sugar-mills on the
plantations. He has also been known, when pressed by hunger, to assail
solitary travellers in the mountains.
In the morning, when we went out of our tower, we saw that several
condors had been attracted by the carcase of the bear, and were tearing
it to pieces. They flapped their huge wings, and glared fiercely at us
with their red eyes as we watched them; but did not quit their banquet,
from which we had no wish to disturb them. After a hearty breakfast,
with renewed spirits and confidence we proceeded on our way. I have not
space to recount all our adventures, and must for the future describe
only those which were the most interesting.
We climbed mountains, and traversed glens, and crossed torrents by the
bridges I have often mentioned; and yet, day after day, not a human
being did we meet. Of course we kept as much as possible at a distance
from their habitations; but the few farms we passed were deserted, and
we had no doubt that the women and children had been removed to more
secluded spots, while the men had gone to join the army of Tupac Amaru.
A week had passed, and we were resting to take our midday meal, in a
sheltered glen, under the shade of some lofty trees. Pedro,
notwithstanding the exertions he had undergone, had almost recovered
from his hurts; and I never felt myself in better health and strength,
while Ned scarcely knew what fatigue or illness meant. Our provisions
had again run short, though we had collected a little Indian corn at
some of the deserted farms we had passed.
"Well," said Ned, who had lighted his pipe and stretched himself out on
his back, "I shan't be sorry when we get to the big river you speak of.
Walking is very pleasant exercise, especially when one hasn't half a
hundredweight of traps and provisions to carry; but it's very slow work
you'll allow. I like to spank along with a ten-knot breeze across the
open ocean, with studden-sails alow and aloft; or to glide down a river
with a strong current and fair breeze. Ah, mate, if you ever come to
sea with me in a smart craft, you'll know what moving fast means."
I told him that I should like nothing better, and that I longed to begin
our voyage down the Amazon; but that I must first communicate with my
Indian friends, to learn if they had gained any tidings of my parents;
for still I clung to the hope that they might have escaped destruction.
Pedro also was unwilling to leave the country without again seeing his
friends. We were all talking very eagerly about our proposed plans,
when a loud yell made us start to our feet, and, looking up, we saw a
number of Indians posted on the heights above us. Some had bows, with
their arrows ready drawn to shoot us; and others had slings in their
hands, which they were whirling round with heavy stones, prepared to
hurl at our heads. In another moment we should have had a shower of
deadly missiles rattling about us, when Pedro, rushing towards them,
shouted out, in the Quichua language, that we were friends of the Inca.
In an instant the arrows were withdrawn and the slings ceased to whirl,
and the Indians came hurrying down the sides of the mountain. In
another minute we found ourselves surrounded by a large band of
warriors. They examined us attentively, not being able to make out who
we could be, though the words spoken by Pedro proved that we were not
enemies. Ned Gale, especially, caused them much surprise, for they
certainly had never seen a human being like him before. When their
chief arrived, he listened to the account Pedro gave him, and replied
that though he had no doubt it was correct, we must accompany him to the
presence of the Inca and his chiefs, who were encamped at the distance
of some days' journey.
"I suppose it's all right, mates," observed Ned, when I told him what
had been said. "For my part, I'm ready to go and see this new king of
the Injuns, as they call him; and if he's an honest chap, and wants a
helping hand, why I'm ready to give it him. Just you tell them that."
I did not exactly translate Ned's message; but I told the Indians that
we were anxious to see the Inca, and would be happy to be of any service
to him in our power.
The Indians were, I found, on their way to join the army; and as they
wished to continue their march, they desired us to pack up our traps and
accompany them. They looked upon us, I found, somewhat in the light of
prisoners; though of this we had no reason to complain, as they were
naturally suspicious of strangers, who might act as spies on their
movements. We were treated kindly, but were narrowly watched whenever
the party halted to rest. Though not better equipped, they were far
more civilised than most of the tribes who composed the army of Tupac
Catari; and they marched with some regularity, and took all necessary
precautions to guard against surprise. We learned from them that the
Spaniards, having recovered from the alarm into which they had been
thrown at the commencement of the outbreak, were collecting in
considerable force in the neighbourhood of Cuzco, to defend that city
from an attack which Tupac Amaru was threatening to make on it.
"It matters not," observed the cacique, who was my informant. "The more
who collect, the greater number of our foes shall we overwhelm with one
blow."