rses over the rugged places we had to pass. Day after day
the poor captives dropped through fatigue, till their numbers were much
thinned; but still we pushed on. We passed through a number of Indian
villages, the inhabitants of which looked out from their mat doors with
sad eyes on their unhappy countrymen; and we now discovered that the
object of the Spaniards in carrying them on was to strike terror into
the hearts of the people. When governors cannot manage a people so as
to gain their love, they attempt to rule them through their fears; but
such a government is never of long duration, and must ultimately bring
destruction on itself. We had marched for three days without finding
any habitations, when I saw the officers holding consultation together,
and evidently much perplexed. A halt was ordered, and inquiries made if
anybody knew the road. We had lost our way. The Indians had no
knowledge of that part of the country, nor had any of the soldiers. I
detected a gleam of intelligence in the countenance of Ithulpo, which
made me suspect that he could give the desired information if he chose;
but when asked, he denied all knowledge of the way. We took shelter
that night within the walls of a ruined village, which, from its
appearance, I judged had not been inhabited since the time of the
conquest, except as a temporary abode in the same manner as we used it.
It must have been a place of some extent, but the greater part was
concealed by trees and shrubs, and creeping plants, which had grown up
among the walls. Most of the buildings were of sun-dried bricks; but
others, within one of which we were placed, were of masses of stone,
like the fortress of Cuzco. It had probably been the residence of a
chief or noble. It seemed strange that the Spaniards should not have
known so remarkable a spot; but though they did not, I was certain that
the Indians were well acquainted with it.

The prisoners were all driven together like a flock of sheep within one
of the enclosures, and a sentry was placed over them, with orders to
shoot any who might attempt to escape. After the horses had been
picketed in a grassy spot close to the ruins, the soldiers lighted their
fires to dress their evening meal, while the two officers sat themselves
down on a fragment of stone and smoked their cigars, taking no notice of
us. Our horses and luggage mule had been placed with the others under a
guard; so they thought, I suppose, that we