de off into the sultry night During the small hours of the morning,
the troop arrived at Chorrillos, at which place, Boyton positively
refused to go further, being too nearly exhausted to proceed.
The officer decided to remain until daylight and go on to Lima by rail.
As tired as the prisoner was, he could not sleep on account of the
ravenous attacks of fleas which drove him almost mad. At daylight he was
taken by railway train to Lima and on arrival there was
immediately marched to the palace, where he was to be presented as a spy
to his friend, Don Nicholas de Pierola, the Dictator.

The impertinent officer arrived at the palace with his prisoner, under
the impression that he would receive a handsome reward for making such a
notable arrest. When Paul pulled out a packet, addressed to Don
Nicholas, the fellow was rather surprised; but continued to treat the
supposed spy with overbearing harshness, until Boyton was released from
his presence and taken before the Dictator, where he was cordially
received and many references made to their former pleasant meeting in
Paris.

"But how did you get here so soon?" inquired Don Nicholas, "other
passengers who were on board the Columbia have not yet arrived."

Paul related the story of his capture at Lurin and of his all night ride
on mule back. The Dictator sent for the officer, who, thinking he was
going to be rewarded for his cleverness, entered the reception room with
a peacock strut that was admirable. By the time Don Nicholas finished a
reprimand, he slunk away like a whipped cur and it is likely he was more
careful to investigate thereafter when making arrests.

The Dictator sent Paul to the Hotel Americano, where fine quarters were
prepared for him and he took a much needed rest, not waking until the
next day when a message was conveyed to him from Don Nicholas to the
effect that they were going to Ancon that day to try some
torpedo experiments. Much refreshed, he was quickly ready to accompany
them.

Ancon is a small seaside resort about fifteen miles from Lima. At that
time it was almost entirely deserted on account of the frequent
bombarding by the Chilean cruisers as they passed up and down the coast.
Whenever those aboard the cruisers wished amusement, they turned their
guns on Ancon and knocked over a few houses.

The party consisting of the Dictator, several high government officials,
Boyton and Major Rabauld, who had