to read the history of my father's country, and more than all,
since I met you, Senor, new feelings and aspirations have sprung up
within my bosom. I cannot be content unless I am in the company of
those who can converse, like you, on things beyond the narrow circle of
the life I have hitherto led."

"I understand you, Pedro; and I think that I should feel as you do," I
said. "If we can make our escape, you shall accompany me to other
lands--we will go forth together to see the great world which lies
beyond these lofty mountains."

"O Senor, your words have given me a new life," he exclaimed
enthusiastically. "I will follow you anywhere you may lead, and serve
you faithfully. And yet," he added in a tone of feeling, "I must not
leave the generous Manco without again seeing him; I must bid farewell
to my foster father and mother, and the Indians who protected me in my
youth; I must return to them once more before I go."

"I would on no account induce you to be ungrateful, and I should myself
be very unwilling to leave the country, even should I discover my
family, without returning to bid farewell to Manco," I said in return.

"Then we will go back to Manco as soon as we can escape from these
people; and we may thus with more speed be able to begin our travels,"
exclaimed Pedro.

We were both very young, and ignorant of the great world we talked of
exploring; and we little knew all the difficulties we might be destined
to encounter. The subject, once commenced, was a continual source of
interest to us, and we were never tired of talking about it. It served
also to prevent my mind from dwelling on my loss, the probability of
which I could scarcely conceal from myself.

I have mentioned but a few of Pedro's observations, for the sake of
showing his character. He had benefited to the utmost from the little
education which had been given him by the priest of whom he spoke. His
disposition was ardent and romantic, and full of generous sympathies;
and possessing a clear perception of right and wrong, he was always
anxious to do right. He had been made acquainted at an early age with
his own history; and though he loved the Indians, he was proud of
belonging to a superior race, among whom his great desire was to mix as
an equal. He was tall and well formed, with very handsome features, to
which his amiable disposition had given a most pleasing expression; so
that, whether or not his parents were of good birth, h