the case. If people would but remember the great importance of
temperance, and would avoid strong drinks, and take only a moderate
portion of meat, they would escape much suffering from wounds and
injuries to which all are liable, and which in so many cases prove
fatal, although no vital part has been touched. I have seen the
strongest men die from a slight scratch; and the weakest apparently
recover from the most terrible hurts. The strong men have eaten and
drunk to gratify their palates; the weak have eaten food to live.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

FALL IN WITH THE ARMY OF THE INCA--MANCO AGAIN.

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 tol