h. In one hand she carried
a small pitcher, and in the other a funnel, whose slender stem they
inserted between the man's teeth. In this way a little liquid was
forced into his mouth, and presently his bared breast heaved
slightly--so slightly that the motion was almost imperceptible.

However, the old woman appeared satisfied, and at a sign from her the
stricken man was carried slowly up the path. One native attended to
the horse, and the rest returned to their huts, talking excitedly of
what had happened.

"Is that a messenger from Raymon Sorillo, Quilca?" I asked my host.

"Yes," said he, "and he has had a very narrow escape. He has been
caught in a sandstorm. Perhaps he lost the track. Perhaps the
soldiers gave chase, and he went further round to baffle them. Who
knows? But we shall hear to-morrow."

"Then he is likely to recover?"

"Yes; the medicine saved him. Didn't you see his chest move?"

"Yes," I replied, thinking that but a small thing to go on.

"That showed the medicine was in time," returned Quilca. "It has begun
its work, and all will be well."

Quilca spoke so confidently that, had I been the patient, I should have
started on the road to recovery at once.

"Will he stay here long?" I asked.

"Who knows?" replied Quilca. "The chief gives orders; the servants
obey."

"But he will return at some time?"

"It is likely."

"And will he take a message to my mother, do you think?"

"Oh yes," said the Indian; "I had forgotten. Besides"--and he touched
the cord supporting the silver key--"he is your servant, as I am."

For three days the messenger was too weak to explain his errand; but
the medicine worked wonders, and at the end of a week he sent for
Quilca and the other leading men of the tribe.

What orders he brought I did not learn; only my host told me that the
rising to which they looked forward had been put off. The Chilians
were not ready, and could not be in Peru for at least another six
months.

Quilca was dreadfully disappointed; but the chief had spoken, and his
word was law. Indeed, it was most extraordinary to see with what
reverence his commands were treated. Had it been his pleasure, I am
sure his followers would have willingly gone to certain death.

On the day following this I visited the messenger, who, on seeing the
silver key, bowed low before me.

"What are my lord's commands?" asked he humbly.

"They are very simple," I replied. "In a short time yo