ble over this," continued Paul. "You know how anxious your
superiors are to have the wires repaired in order to re-establish
communication with Chile, though I am sure I do not fancy the work
and am well satisfied to have my journey interrupted."

The officer took the pass again and carefully ran his eyes over it, as
Boyton, apparently in the most happy humor, puffed away at his cigar.

"I think you are all right," said the officer at last, returning the
paper, "you can go on."

Paul's heart gave such a thump of joy that he was afraid the Chilean
would hear or see it; but the latter observed nothing. With
assumed reluctance, he bade the officer good night, mounted his mule and
rode slowly away. As soon as he was out of sight and hearing, he dug his
heels into the mule's sides and was galloping swiftly across the pampas
toward the coast. He could detect no signs of pursuit and in about an
hour he heard the sweetest music that had ever soothed his ears.

It was the booming of the breakers near Ancon.

Riding close to the edge of the cliff, he stripped everything off of the
mules and with a "good bye, old fellow, you have served me well," and a
gentle pat on the neck, he turned its head toward the pampas and it
scampered away. The next work was to fling all the wire and telegraph
instruments into the sea. He then donned the dress, and with his paddle
firmly jointed, began descending the cliff. Reaching the water in
safety, he plunged right into the breakers and paddled with all his
strength from the shore. Island after island was left behind and
at daybreak he was to the seaward of most of them. He selected the one
that stood furthest out and steered for it. It appeared like a huge
rock standing straight up out of the water; but he found a narrow strip
of sandy beach on which to land, being escorted by a whole troop of
seals which offered him no harm, however. Climbing to a high ledge, he
removed his suit and found that from his perch he commanded a good
view and could see the smoke of the steamer as soon as it left the
harbor of Callao.

The sun came up with a dull, red color promising a hot day. By nine
o'clock, the heat was so intense that he began to suffer from thirst
and then discovered that he had made one grievous mistake. He had
neglected to supply himself with fresh water. After partaking of a
little breakfast, he began a tour of exploration in the hope of finding