the rest of the day and
the coming night it will give me pleasure, and I will do my best for
your comfort; the afternoon is wellnigh spent, and if, as I understood
you to say, you started from your camp shortly after daybreak this
morning, you can scarcely return to it ere nightfall, and the way is a
rough and dangerous one to travel in the darkness."

"Nevertheless, with many thanks for your hospitable offer, I must go,"
answered Harry, "for the matter is urgent, as you must know, for your
last words to me were that if I would find my--friend with the life
still in him I must hasten."

"Nay, _amigo_, I know nothing of what I told you while in my state of
trance," answered the old woman; "but, whatever it may have been, you
may depend that it was true; therefore if I bade you hasten, it is
certain that hasten you must, and in that case it would be no kindness
in me to urge you to stay. Yet you will not go until you have again
eaten and drank."

"Thanks again, Mama," answered Harry, "but I fear we must. As you have
said, the afternoon is far advanced, and there is therefore all the more
reason why we should make the best possible use of every remaining
moment of daylight. If you will excuse us, therefore, we will bid you
adios and go forthwith. You have rendered me an inestimable service,
Mama, for which mere words of thanks seem a very inadequate recompense,
yet I will not offend you by offering any other reward. Still, if there
is a way--"

"There is none--at present--_amigo mio_" interrupted the old woman; "nor
do I wish any recompense beyond your thanks. If, as you say, I have
been able to help you I am glad, and shall be glad to help you again
whenever and as often as you may need my assistance. Nevertheless,"--
looking with sudden intentness into the young Englishman's eyes--"I
think--nay, I am certain--that a time is coming when, if you care to
remember them, Mama Cachama and Yupanqui will be glad that they
befriended you."

"Rest assured, then, Mama, that when that time arrives, you will not be
forgotten," answered Harry. "And now, _adios_, until we meet again.
Remember me to Yupanqui, and say that I am sorry I could not stay to see
him. Are you ready, Arima? Then march!"

It was close upon midnight when Escombe and his Indian guide rode into
camp, after a fatiguing and somewhat adventurous journey; for as Mama
Cachama had said, the way was rough and by no means devoid of danger
even in the day