e estancia, previously referred to by the colonel, stood on a slight
eminence surrounded by the grove of algaroba-trees from which it derived
its name. The fruit of this tree forms excellent food for cattle, and
Lawrence found himself busily engaged during the first hour after
arrival in procuring it for his mules, and otherwise looking after his
charge. When this duty was done, feeling no disposition to join his
comrades at supper, he sauntered into a garden in rear of the estancia,
where he found a rustic seat under an algaroba-tree, and sat down to
meditate.

It was a calm, peaceful, moonlight night, with an air, so he felt, of
sadness about it which harmonised with his melancholy thoughts. He now
believed he saw through Colonel Marchbanks's plan, and had given up all
hope of seeing Manuela again. In these circumstances, being a man of
submissive spirit yet powerful will, he set himself resolutely to think
of the important object in which he was engaged. Somewhat thus his
meditations ran--

"I am no soldier, but I am a man, and I should be less than a man--
unworthy to live--if I were not ready to help in the rescue of women and
children. Some of the girls, poor things, may be like Manu--that is--.
Now, although I hate war, and do not approve of settling disputes by the
sword, I feel that self-defence, or the defence of the helpless,
justifies war,--ay, to the knife. Of course it does. Was I not
thoroughly justified in fighting the robbers when Manu--. Well, then,
let me think it out. A thing is not properly thought at all until it is
thought out, and _found_ out. Talking of that, how fortunate that
Pedro's little daughter was found out. It is most interesting! I
delight to think of her. And she's so pretty, too--quite beautiful,
though, of course, not so beautiful as Man--"

"Bother Manuela!" he exclaimed aloud, starting up.

As he spoke, Manuela herself--the princess of the Incas--stood before
him!

In order to account for this sudden miscarriage of the colonel's plans,
we must turn aside to state that the princess, being of an active
disposition, and not easily tired, had said to Pedro that evening, when
his detachment was encamping under a group of trees not far from the
estancia, that she would ride back to the main body to see her father.

"But my strict orders are," said Pedro, "that I am to keep you with the
advance-guard, and you know that your father is not a man to be
disobeyed."

"Q