e any repose, dressed
themselves and went out on a tour through the city which should occupy
them until the time arrived for the public offices to open, when they
would be able to set about their business.

The two lads had not proceeded very far on their way when they
perceived, some distance ahead of them, a small crowd of people
clustering round a building, and they crossed the road to see what the
disturbance was about. They soon perceived that the building was a
gunsmith's shop, and that the excitement was due to the fact that the
people outside were bent on securing arms and ammunition for themselves,
as a protection against the marauders who were wont to infest the town
upon the slightest excuse, and who were now, under cover of the
excitement caused by the impending war, committing all sorts of
atrocities, which the authorities were very much too busy with other
matters to put a stop to.

"Look here, Douglas," exclaimed Terry, clutching his companion's sleeve,
"it seems to me that we ought to follow the example of these people.
Everybody in this place appears to go about armed, and we had better do
the same, in case we should happen to get into some sort of trouble. It
shows what a state the city must be in, when the only place open the
whole night through happens to be a gun-shop! How much money did you
bring out with you, Jim? Enough to purchase a couple of revolvers and
some ammunition?"

Douglas hurriedly searched his pockets, and the two lads found that
their joint possessions amounted to about fifty pesos (they had
exchanged their English money at the hotel for Chilian currency).
Acting upon Terry's advice, Jim now stepped into the shop and purchased
two revolvers and a packet of ammunition for them, paying about forty
pesos of their money for the weapons. Once outside the shop, the two
lads slipped round a corner, loaded the pistols, and slipped them into
their hip-pockets. Having done this, they started out once more on
their tour of exploration, feeling much more secure than they had
previously done.

It was by this time about seven o'clock in the morning; and as the
Government Offices would not be open until nine or ten o'clock they had
still fully two hours to fill up before they could present themselves
for enlistment in the Chilian service. Therefore, feeling somewhat
hungry, they strolled up and down the streets, on the look-out for some
cafe or eating-house where they might refresh the