o our talk travelled in a circle, leaving off at the
starting-point, and for sole effect it extinguished the gleam of hope
which the major's story had kindled.

In the evening, at Jose's suggestion, I went into the streets to pick
up any information concerning the governor's doings. Everything seemed
quiet; the sentries were at their posts as usual, while the soldiers
off duty wandered about the town.

They greeted me respectfully, raising their hands in salute and
standing at attention, as if I had been an officer of high degree.
Recognizing a sergeant who had been in the governor's room, I stopped
to ask a few questions. Greatly to my relief, I learned that, with the
exception of a few Spanish officers, the troops in the town were all
Indians from the mountains.

As the man seemed smart and intelligent, I told him how matters stood,
and that we depended entirely upon him and his comrades until the
coming of the English colonel.

"You can trust us, master," he replied, and indeed his talk made it
quite clear that the friend of Raymon Sorillo and the holder of the
Silver Key might rely on the Indians in Moquegua even against Miller
himself.

Jose, I think, felt rather relieved on hearing my news; while Santiago
laughed heartily, prophesying that, if the Spaniards were defeated, I
should in a few years be king, or at least president, of Peru.

"I had no idea," said he, "that you were so important a person. No
wonder Barejo wished to keep you shut up!"

That night we took it in turns to watch; but the governor attempted
nothing against us, and the next day we walked openly in the street
without molestation.

Colonel Miller had vanished into space, and for nearly a week we heard
nothing of him; then one morning an Indian scout rode wearily into the
town with the news that the Englishman was close at hand. Immediately
the people rushed out in hundreds to line the street, and to cheer the
returning warriors.

Jose stayed indoors with the major, but sent me out to get an early
word with our leader. Bright, alert, and cheery as ever, he rode at
the head of his troops, smiling and bowing to the inhabitants as they
greeted him with rousing cheers. Then came the soldiers--the cavalry
on dead-tired horses, the infantry on jaded mules--with a number of
prisoners in the midst.

The animals were tired enough; but the men! I can hardly describe
their condition. Their faces were haggard, their eyes heavy and
blood