alive to boast that
his people once held sway in the land."

As I watched the countenance of the speaker, it wore an almost terrific
expression, full of an intense hatred, and a desire for vengeance; yet,
before the outbreak, he had probably been like most other Indians, a
mild, peaceable, and patiently suffering man. The account he had given
of the destruction of the place almost banished the hope which still
existed within my breast. Yet I resolved to persevere in my search. My
dismay was very great, when I learned from Pedro that the old chief
intended to remain in the village with his followers till the morning,
and then to carry us along with him as prisoners.

"He believes our story," said Pedro; "but still he thinks that if we
continue our journey, we may give information to the Spaniards of the
road the army is taking. He will, I dare say, treat us well, and
release us when he fancies we can run no chance of injuring his people."

The news caused me great vexation, for, though I had no fear that the
Indians would injure us, I was afraid that we should be led a long way
out of the road in which we could hope to make any effectual inquiries,
if, indeed, further search was of any avail. I was anxious also to
examine the country surrounding the place where the body of Ithulpo was
said to have been discovered; and I told Pedro to entreat the chief,
before he commenced his march, to allow us to go out for a few hours as
soon as it was light, promising faithfully to return. Pedro made the
request, but the old chief, when he understood the object, said it would
be useless to grant it.

"Your friends were all killed," he said, "You search for those who are
not to be found."

"Then we must appeal to the head chief commanding the army," I said to
Pedro in Spanish. "Try and learn who he is."

After making inquiries, Pedro told me that he was a powerful _cacique_,
who had assumed the title of Tupac Catari; and though he was, as most of
the _caciques_ were, descended from an Inca noble, he was only in a
remote degree connected with Tupac Amain. He did not consider himself
in any way under the orders of the Inca, and was inclined, it appeared,
to set up as the Inca himself. It argued ill for the Indian cause, that
there should be this division in their forces. From what I heard of
him, I was afraid that there was very little probability of his granting
the request which had been denied by his inferior, the old