pass, so that we shall not be interfered with by his men
gathered at different points on the road to Oroya. I hear that a
considerable portion of his force have already marched forward."

The Peruvian colonel questioned Harry closely as to his motives for
travelling there.

"I suppose," he said, "you have been searching for gold. We are sorely
in need of funds, and I shall feel myself obliged to borrow any gold
that you may have collected for the use of my army, giving you an order
on the treasury at Lima, which will, of course, be honoured as soon as
the authority of President Vivancohidas is established."

"I do not doubt the goodness of the security," Harry said quietly,
"although possibly I might have to wait some time before the order was
cashed; but while hunting I have not come upon any treasure. We have
occasionally, when halting at streams, amused ourselves by doing a
little gold-washing, but when I tell you that during the eight months
since we started from Cuzco we have only collected about twenty ounces
of gold, you may well suppose that no good fortune has attended us."

"Is that all, senor?"

"I give you my word of honour that is all, senor; and as I shall have
to lay in a store of provisions and so on for my journey down to Lima,
you may well imagine that it would be a serious inconvenience to me to
part with it."

"Quite so, senor; so small a sum as that would not go far among the
four thousand men under my command. However, I shall have pleasure in
giving you the pass that you ask. You have had good sport, I hope?"

"As good as I expected. We kept ourselves in food, and have seen a
splendid country, which I hope some time will again be cultivated, and
add to the wealth of your country."

After a further exchange of compliments Harry returned to the inn where
they had put up.

Next morning, after purchasing some coffee and other stores that were
needed, they set out.

"Now we are all right, Dias," Harry said as they started.

"I hope so, senor; but from what I heard yesterday evening several
stron