been transferred to him as an aid,
went down on a special car drawn by a little engine named the Favorita,
furnished by the railroad company, which was largely owned by
Americans.

The experiments took place between several rocky islands, that have
probably been detached from the mainland by volcanic action, and the
shore. The torpedoes were tried on dummy vessels, while a troop of
soldiers stood guard at all the approaches to the place in order
to prevent inquisitive individuals as well as Chilean spies, from
learning the nature of the work going on. Don Nicholas was highly
pleased and was in fine spirits at the thought of getting rid of some
of the powerful vessels that darkened his harbor with their frowning
ports. On their return trip, the Favorita had proceeded less than one
mile, when the little engine ran plump into a sand pile that had been
carried up by the wind, and was thrown from the track on to a plain
that had once been a burial place of the ancient Incas. All efforts to
put the engine and car back on the track were fruitless, and a
messenger was sent back to Ancon to telegraph to Lima for an extra
engine to assist in righting the little train. As the telegraph
service was extremely slow, the party was compelled to wait all day for
the relief engine. In the meantime, Don Nicholas and his staff,
went out on the pampas and stood about the sand hills talking over the
struggle they were having with their neighbors. During that time, a
Chilean cruiser passed about one mile off shore, and had the importance
of the little group been known to those on board, they could have
captured the Dictator without a great deal of trouble.

The soldiers gathered up the skulls and bones of Incas that were strewn
about and amused themselves by playing ten pins on the hard sand,
sticking the bones up and rolling the skulls at them. Don Nicholas paid
no attention to the gruesome sport; but stood calmly conversing with
the officers who surrounded him.

It was almost dark when the relief engine came puffing into sight; but a
short time sufficed to place the car on the track and the party
arrived safely at Lima.

On the following day, Paul went down to Callao, bearing a letter from
the Dictator to General Astate, commander of the fort, requesting him to
furnish Boyton with the best small vessel obtainable for torpedo work.
The General received Paul in the kindest possible man