, major. But when the war is over
I trust we may meet again."

Then he sent for an officer and a file of soldiers, and Santiago turned
to bid us a cheery farewell.

"Good-bye," said he brightly; "I have had a pleasant time with you.--If
I do succeed in escaping, Crawford, I will inquire further into your
father's story.--Ah, here is my escort!" and with a salute to the
colonel and a nod to us, he took his place in front of the men, while
the officer received his chief's instructions.

"He's a plucky fellow. I should have liked to set him free," I said,
as we strolled back to our quarters.

"To do more mischief!" growled Jose. "I'm sorry for him, in a way, but
it's better for us that he should be under lock and key. And that
reminds me! How did Colonel Miller take the Silver Key business?"

"Very badly; called it tampering with the troops."

"So it was, but it saved our lives, all the same. I shall be rather
pleased when we leave this district; the governor won't regard either
of us too favourably."

"He can't hurt us now the colonel is here."

"No," replied Jose, with a curious smile "but we might meet with a
nasty accident. Perhaps you remember my remark, made two years ago,
that accidents are common in Peru. It's as true now as then."

As it chanced, Jose was shortly to have his wish; for although we did
not know it then, the colonel had decided to abandon Moquegua. Many of
the troops were down with the ague, the place was a difficult one to
defend, unless against a weak attack, and La Hera was already on the
march with a force far superior to ours. This, however, we did not
learn till two days later.

CHAPTER XI.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

"It is a great honour," exclaimed Jose, "and you should feel proud."

I had just returned from an interview with the colonel, who had asked
me to undertake for a short time the duties of his private secretary.
It seemed a simple task then, but afterwards I regarded it differently.
For the next three weeks I was attached to the colonel, who took me
with him everywhere. A secretary is generally supposed to write, but
my work consisted in riding. Day after day, from morning till night,
we were on horseback, now travelling over sandy deserts to the
seashore, again penetrating into the heart of the mountains--hungry,
thirsty, and tired, and always in danger of falling into the hands of
the enemy.

As a measure of precaution our little force retired to Tacna,