enor, that first we had
better journey down to Cuzco and then down to Sicuani, where the
western Cordilleras, after making a bend, join the eastern branch, and
there cross the Tinta volcano. On the other side are many gorges. In
one of these I know there is some very rich gold sand. Explorers have
sought for this spot in vain, but the secret has been well kept by the
few who know it. It has been handed down in my father's family from
father to son ever since the Spaniards came. He told it to me, and I
swore to reveal it to none but my son. I have no son, and the secret
therefore will die with me. Whether it has been passed down in any
other family I cannot say. It may be, or it may not be; but as I owe
you my life, and also the debt of gratitude to Senor Barnett, I feel
that you are more to me than a son. Moreover, the secret was to be kept
lest it should come to the knowledge of the Spaniards. The Spaniards
have gone, and with them the reason for concealment, so I feel now that
I am justified in taking you there."

"I am glad of that, Dias. Assuredly the gold can be of service to no
man as long as it lies there, and it would be better to utilize it than
allow it to waste. I need not say how grateful I shall feel if you can
put me in the way of obtaining it."

"That I cannot absolutely promise," he said. "I have the indications,
but they will be difficult to find. Three hundred years bring great
changes--rocks on which there are marks may be carried away by
torrents, figures cut in the cliffs may be overgrown by mosses or
creepers. However, if but a few remain, I hope to be able to find my
way. If I fail we must try elsewhere; but this is the only one of which
I have been told all the marks. I know generally several places where
great treasure was hidden, but not the marks by which they could be
discovered, and as we may be sure that every measure was taken to hide
the entrances to the caves, the chances would be all against our
lighting upon them. I may say, senor, that, great as was the treasure
of the Incas, t