is owing to the son of Don Eduardo
Crawford," he answered gravely. "And now let me carry you to my hut.
A bed has been prepared there for you; it is a simple affair, but you
will be comfortable."

I slept well that night. The pain had considerably decreased, and I
had no cause for fear or anxiety. Sorillo slept in another corner of
the hut, going out so quietly in the morning that he did not disturb
me. Indeed the sun was high in the heavens when I wakened.

The chief's messenger had not returned, and another day passed before
he appeared; then, to my delight, he brought Jose with him.

"Well, Jack," exclaimed my old friend, on finding that I was really not
much hurt, "you gave Miller a fine fright. He thought you were either
dead or carried off. His troops are back in Lima. It seems Canterac
was too good for you."

"He flung half his army at us," I responded rather sulkily, for one
does not like being reminded of a beating. "It must have been a matter
of ten to one. But never mind that. What news do you bring from Lima?
How is my mother? and how are events moving there?"

"Your mother is well, and sends her love to you, and events are shaping
just as we could wish them to. We are masters of Callao."

"Then the forts have fallen? O Jose, tell me quickly--I am burning
with excitement--was my father there?"

"Keep cool!" said he, smiling; "I don't want you to throw yourself into
a fever. Yes, we found your father there."

"Thank God for that!" I murmured reverently. "You can tell me the rest
at your leisure."

"There isn't much to tell," he replied. "It seems that your father was
suddenly surrounded in the mountains by a body of regulars, and ordered
to submit. Taken by surprise, there was nothing else to do; but while
he stood hesitating, some one--not the captain in charge--shot him
down, and he remembers nothing more till he found himself in Callao.
The governor, La Mar, happens to be a kind-hearted fellow; so he had
your father's wound dressed, gave him the most comfortable cell, and
altogether treated him so well that, in spite of a long illness, he is
entirely recovered."

"This is better and better, Jose! I hope we shall have a chance of
doing La Mar a good turn."

"Your father will be in a position to see to that, as San Martin has
already made him a member of the government."

"That's all right then.--By-the-bye, have you seen Montilla?"

"Yes. The old fox plays the game well.