attentively, not being able to make out who
we could be, though the words spoken by Pedro proved that we were not
enemies. Ned Gale, especially, caused them much surprise, for they
certainly had never seen a human being like him before. When their
chief arrived, he listened to the account Pedro gave him, and replied
that though he had no doubt it was correct, we must accompany him to the
presence of the Inca and his chiefs, who were encamped at the distance
of some days' journey.

"I suppose it's all right, mates," observed Ned, when I told him what
had been said. "For my part, I'm ready to go and see this new king of
the Injuns, as they call him; and if he's an honest chap, and wants a
helping hand, why I'm ready to give it him. Just you tell them that."

I did not exactly translate Ned's message; but I told the Indians that
we were anxious to see the Inca, and would be happy to be of any service
to him in our power.

The Indians were, I found, on their way to join the army; and as they
wished to continue their march, they desired us to pack up our traps and
accompany them. They looked upon us, I found, somewhat in the light of
prisoners; though of this we had no reason to complain, as they were
naturally suspicious of strangers, who might act as spies on their
movements. We were treated kindly, but were narrowly watched whenever
the party halted to rest. Though not better equipped, they were far
more civilised than most of the tribes who composed the army of Tupac
Catari; and they marched with some regularity, and took all necessary
precautions to guard against surprise. We learned from them that the
Spaniards, having recovered from the alarm into which they had been
thrown at the commencement of the outbreak, were collecting in
considerable force in the neighbourhood of Cuzco, to defend that city
from an attack which Tupac Amaru was threatening to make on it.

"It matters not," observed the cacique, who was my informant. "The more
who collect, the greater number of our foes shall we overwhelm with one
blow."

I ventured to doubt this; but he replied--

"Stay till you see the army of the Inca, and try to number our
standards; then tell me if you think the white faces can withstand
them."

I thought it better not to dwell on the subject, for fear of irritating
the chief; but I recalled to my memory the handful of Spaniards who
conquered the well-trained armies of the Inca Atahualpa, and had little
hop