ent, and that it would require another
half-day to send a message, the chances were that, when Yupanqui reached
the spot, he would find the survey party gone, and would be obliged to
follow them up until he should overtake them. Also he began to wonder
how long it would be before his injuries would be sufficiently healed to
allow him to travel over a road of so difficult a character as that
hinted at in his companion's remarks. He had only to attempt to move on
his pallet, and to feel the intolerable aching in every limb that
resulted from the effort, to understand that some days--probably at
least a week--must elapse ere he would be fit to attempt the journey;
and meanwhile where would the survey party be, and how would they be
faring without him? What would Butler do? Would he take Harry's death
for granted, and proceed singlehanded with the survey; or would he send
out a search party to seek for traces of his lost assistant? He must of
necessity do one or the other, and the comforting reflection came to
Harry that, even if the first course were adopted, the party could not
get very far away without being overtaken.

"How long do you think it will be, Mother, before I shall be able to
rise and move about again?" he enquired.

"Nay, my son, who can tell save the good God who holds our lives in His
hands?" answered the old woman. "It may be two weeks, or it may be two
months, according to whether or not the fever returns. Much must depend
upon yourself. If you keep quite quiet, and do not become impatient,
you may be able to rise and go into the open for a short time in two
weeks, possibly even in less. But you must do in all things exactly as
I say, if you wish to get well quickly; and you may trust in me, for I
have seen many years and have always been skilled in the art of
healing."

"I will trust you, of course," answered Harry, reaching out at the cost
of some pain and squeezing the old creature's clawlike hand. "Get me
well as quickly as you can, Mother, and you will not find me ungrateful.
I have the means of rewarding you liberally for all your trouble as
soon as I can return to camp."

"Reward!" ejaculated the old woman, angrily snatching away her hand;
"who spoke of reward? I require no reward, if by that you mean money
payment. I have no need of money. This cave has provided me with dry
and comfortable housing for many years, while the garden outside and my
son's hunting and fishing furnish u