netrating among the mountains into the regions on the
eastern side. From our windows westward, over a wide extent of broken
ground among the mounds, many of which might in other countries be
called mountains, would be seen the fertile plains of Peru stretching
away to the ocean, distinguished on clear days by a silvery line in the
horizon. The house was of one floor only, and built of brick and tiled.
The rooms were large and numerous, and it was surrounded by a
court-yard. It was of ancient construction, indeed it appeared to have
been built originally for a fortification to command the pass through
the mountains; but the outer walls had fallen into decay or been pulled
down, though it still retained enough of its former character to enable
it to be speedily prepared to resist any sudden attack by undisciplined
forces destitute of artillery. Around it were plantations of olive and
orange trees, on the slopes near it were vineyards, and on the level
spaces fields of maize or Indian corn, and many trees and plants of a
temperate clime. At the bottom of the ravine rushed a broad and
powerful stream, fed by the snows of the neighbouring mountains; and on
its banks, in a wider part, some little way to the west, was a large
village inhabited chiefly by Indians, the descendants of the hapless
race conquered by the Spaniards. In the neighbourhood, on the other
side of the river, was a silver mine, in working which many of the
inhabitants of the village were employed.

My father's house had, I believe, advanced money to the owners; and this
was one of the reasons which made him select the locality for his
temporary residence, besides its peculiar healthiness and beauty. He
was a firm friend to the Indians, for he pitied their hard fate; and he
endeavoured by every means in his power to mitigate their sufferings
under the cruel tyranny to which, even at that time, they were
subjected. As he did not own the mine, he could not prevent their
strength from being often overtaxed; but having some knowledge of
medicine, he used to prescribe for them when they were sick, and he to
the best of his means relieved them when overtaken by poverty, so that
they all learned to love and reverence the English stranger who had come
among them. His conduct was uninfluenced by any expectation of a
return, but he afterwards had reason to know that the despised Indians
were not ungrateful for his kindness. My father was a true Christian,
wh