d, an odour, has brought to me vague,
elusive memories of a country of vast forests, great, shining rivers,
stupendous mountains, and island-dotted lakes crowned with vast
buildings constructed in a style of architecture such as these eyes of
mine have never beheld in England. Then again I seem to be able to
recall gorgeous pageants in which I took a prominent part, and at which,
in the presence of an innumerable people, I assisted in the performance
of strange rites. Such scenes come to me most vividly in my dreams at
night; and there are occasions when those dreams are so realistic that
when I awake I am puzzled to decide which is the dream and which the
reality. And--strangest thing of all--on all these occasions I have
spoken the language which I spoke with Vilcamapata to-day! I recognised
him, or rather his type of countenance, the moment I set eyes upon him,
for I have beheld many such in my dreams. And ever since I have been in
this country I have had the feeling of one who, after a long absence,
finds himself again among familiar and homelike surroundings. Those are
the facts; but I cannot explain them any more than you can explain to me
why that fire throws out heat."

On the following morning the up-river journey was resumed, much to the
grief of the villagers, who seemed to have taken a most extraordinary
liking for the Englishmen, possibly because of some fancy that the
presence of the white men would bring good luck to the village and its
inhabitants. But neither Stukely nor Dick was minded to delay their
journey, and met the pressing invitation of the Indians to remain with
them by repeating their explanation that a long journey lay before them,
and that there were urgent reasons for the utmost haste. Whereupon the
headman of the village, through Vilcamapata, petitioned that a party
might be permitted to accompany the palefaces two days' journey up the
river, in order that they might transport their friends' boat past
certain rapids and a cataract which would be met with at that distance
above the village. This statement as to the existence of the rapids and
cataract being confirmed by Vilcamapata, Stukely graciously gave the
required permission; and when, after an early breakfast, the little
expedition set out, it consisted not only of the two Englishmen and
Vilcamapata, but also of twenty Indians in two canoes, who were vastly
astonished when, a fresh and favourable breeze happening to be blowing