ht against long odds, but for a
time held our own, though once I was stricken almost to my knees, and
felt the graze of a sharp blade across my cheeks.

Fortunately help came soon, or it would have gone badly with us. With
a wild shout a burly trooper sprang into the fray, and another soon
joined him. A third and a fourth followed quickly, and the issue was
placed beyond doubt.

Now, although our Indians made splendid soldiers, they hated the
Spaniards so much that it was difficult to restrain their passions.
Some excuse may be found for them in the long years of misery and
oppression they had endured; but, of course, Jose set his face sternly
against cruelties.

Thus it was in our enemies' own interest that I raised my voice,
crying, "Surrender, and we will spare your lives! You cannot escape!"
And Jose echoed my appeal. He, too, dreaded the slaughter that must
ensue if our Indians got out of hand. Perhaps the Spaniards guessed
our motive; at least they must have seen the futility of continuing the
contest. One by one they flung their weapons sullenly to the ground,
and yielded themselves prisoners.

"Torches!" cried Jose quickly, "and let us examine our capture. Where
is Colonel La Hera?"

No one spoke, but several Indians plucked blazing brands from the fire
and brought them to us. By their light we saw one man lying dead near
the windlass, and three wounded. Six others, disarmed, stood round,
for the most part black-browed and scowling.

Jose repeated his question. "Where is Colonel La Hera?" he asked.

"Gone to get reinforcements to drive you into the sea," answered a calm
voice.

"Then he is not in this cave?" asked Jose bluntly, but with a certain
ring of admiration in his tone.

Now all this time I had been taking particular notice of this Spaniard.
His uniform showed him to be a major, though he was quite young. His
face was frank and open; he had dark, expressive eyes, and a pleasant,
musical voice, which somehow seemed familiar to me. Where had I met
this man before? In a moment or two he himself supplied the answer.

"Who is in command here?" asked Jose.

"I have the honour, and, as it seems, the misfortune also, of
commanding these brave fellows. I am Major Santiago Mariano, in the
service of His Spanish Majesty, whom may God preserve!"

"I wish him no harm," replied Jose; "only for the future he must not
reckon Peru among his dominions. Now, how am I to know that La Hera is
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