e his name, Julian Maldonado, and that of his
daughter, Felicita Maldonado. He was a well-to-do merchant of elderly
years. I learned that his wife was dead and that their home was in
Lima. The servants made me a bed in the room adjacent to my host. The
next morning I was aroused by one of them who said his master wanted
to see me. I went to him and after telling him I was on my way to
Arequipa, and when there I would be among my friends, he offered to
purchase a mule for me, but the only one to be had was lame. However,
I told him I was young and would soon reach my destination. Felicita
then came in and announced breakfast, after which the mules were
packed and, everything being in readiness, we bade each other
good-bye. Felicita came toward me, and as she extended her hand in her
childish fashion, she placed in my own a Peruvian twenty-dollar gold
piece, saying: "Adios mi amigo."

I was almost speechless. I started forward to return the money, but I
had to retain it, as they quickly mounted and were gone before I could
master my feelings.

Roll on, relentless Time. Felicita, fairest flower of the Cordilleras,
we shall meet again, when love's young dream shall awaken amid the
clash of arms and tragedies!

Nine days later I arrived in Arequipa, sick, footsore and weary. My
friends had sent out searching parties believing that I had been
murdered. Their astonishment was great when they found where I had
been and that I had spent many nights alone amid the dangers of the
mountains. Many were the admonitions I received from older heads.

I laughed at their words, and when I thought of the beautiful
Felicita, I dreamed of love and felt an indescribable content with my
surroundings and all the world.

VI.

A HUMILIATING INCIDENT.

There was a night riot in the streets of Ilo, knives gleamed in
ruffian hands, curses and blasphemy fell from sodden lips. Shots were
fired in the thick of the struggling mass, as the mob crowded in
frenzy about some central figure. The crowd from behind pressed
forward and Thompson and I were carried along by the crush of
humanity, until of necessity we began to fight our way out. We had
partially succeeded, when we were surrounded by soldiers. At sight of
the soldiers the crowd began to disperse, but unfortunately for us it
was too late, besides we had nothing to do with the riot, and thought
we had nothing to fear.

The officer stepped up and placed Thompson and I under arrest