was equal to the journey; that she could trust me, and that she knew her
father would approve of her taking the step. I agreed, with some
hesitation. It turned out that the girl was right in her fears, for
before we left the town it was attacked by the troops of Chili. The
Peruvians made but a poor resistance, and it was carried by assault.
When I saw that all hope of saving the place was gone, I managed to
bring Manuela and her nurse away in safety. As I have told you, the
nurse died, and now--here we are alone. Manuela chooses to run the
risk. I will not turn aside from my duty. If you choose to join us,
the girl will be safer--at least until we cross the mountains. On the
other side I shall be joined by friends, if need be."

Pedro ceased, and rekindled his cigarette, which had gone out during the
explanation.

"I will go with you," said Lawrence, with decision, as he extended his
hand.

"Good," replied Pedro, grasping it with a hearty squeeze; "now I shall
have no fears for our little Indian, for robbers are cowards as a rule."

"Have we, then, much chance of meeting with robbers?"

"Well, I should say we have little chance of altogether escaping them,
for in times of war there are always plenty of deserters and other
white-livered scoundrels who seize the opportunity to work their will.
Besides, there are some noted outlaws in the neighbourhood of the pass
we are going to cross. There's Conrad of the Mountains, for instance.
You've heard of him?"

"No, never."

"Ah, senhor, that proves you to be a stranger here, for his name is
known from the Atlantic to the Pacific--chiefly, however, on the east
side of the Cordillera, and on the Pampas. He is an outlaw--at least he
is said to be so; but one cannot believe all one hears. Some say that
he is cruel, others that he is ferocious among men, but never hurts
women or children."

"Well, it is to be hoped we may not fall in with him, or any of his
band," said Lawrence; "for it is better to hear of his qualities than to
put them to the test."

"Yet, methinks," resumed Pedro, "if you fell in with him alone you
should have no cause to fear him, for you must be more than his match."

"I don't think I should fear him," returned Lawrence, with a simple
look. "As to being more than his match, I know not, for my spirit does
not prompt me to light, and I cannot boast of much capacity in the use
of arms--unless you count my good oak-cudgel a weapon. I have