camac, "the creator of the world," supposed to have been built in
times long anterior to those of the Incas. We had two days to spare
before the ship was to sail, and the captain said we might visit the
place. The doctor, Jerry, and I, with a guide, a half Indian, set out,
accordingly, at an early hour on horseback. We were accompanied by
Silva, who, from speaking Spanish perfectly, went as our interpreter.
He was still ill, and weak from his wounds and his exposure on the
wreck, but he begged so hard that he might go on shore, that the doctor
could not refuse him. He had won the regard of all by his respectful
and unobtrusive manners, and had managed completely to obliterate the
suspicions which the captain at first entertained of him. The doctor
told us during the ride more than I knew before about the country. The
early inhabitants were worshippers of Pachacamac, and when the Incas
introduced the religion of the Sun, instead of destroying the faith they
found existing, with an enlightened policy they allowed the temples of
both to exist side by side. Passing close to the lofty cliffs of the
Morro Solar, we rode through a large sugar estate, and then across a
sandy desert, with several lakes in it stocked with water-fowl, and soon
afterwards, from the top of a gentle ascent, we saw before us the hill
on which stands the remains of the once celebrated temple. The mighty
fane stood at the top of the hill, with terraces encircling it, and
surrounding the base was the town. Beyond were seen the blue waters of
the Pacific rolling on the sandy shore. We could not help feeling sad
and awe-struck as we rode into the deserted city. The walls were there,
although many were battered down, but the roofs of all had disappeared.
Passing through the town, we climbed up a height 400 feet above the sea,
where the remains of the great temple were standing. The walls
surrounding the centre space are about twenty feet high, and we
discovered even some of the vermilion paint with which they were adorned
still adhering to them. Below this wall were a succession of three
broad terraces. The interior shrine was entirely destroyed by Hernando
Pizarro, when he was sent by his brother, at the suggestion of the Inca
Atahuallpa, to collect the treasures which it was supposed to contain.
The priests had got notice of his purpose, and flying, had concealed the
greater portion of their wealth. Disappointed in his expectations,
Pizarro h