lets, notwithstanding, as we got nearer, came
whizzing by our heads; but still we pushed on. They were evidently,
however, gaining on the poor girl; and should she fall, or her strength
fail her, they would be up to her before her husband could arrive to her
rescue. I have often had to undergo moments of great excitement, but
never have I felt such intense anxiety as I did for Nita's rescue. On
galloped Manco and Ned. The soldiers saw them coming, and fired a
volley. I saw Manco reel for an instant, but still he sat his horse.
In another minute Ned had lifted Nita on his horse, and placed her
before him, and handing the child to Manco, the two returned at the same
rapid rate towards us. The Spaniards, disappointed of their prey,
halted, and fired again; and then seeing only a small body of Indians,
continued their advance. As we had nothing to gain by fighting, I
called out to Manco, as he came up, to order the Indians to retreat. We
managed to do so in very good order, and at so rapid a rate that we soon
distanced the Spaniards. They were, however, continuing the pursuit,
when the sound of a bugle from the main body called them back. Halting
as they heard it, they fired a parting volley after us. It was well
aimed; several of the Indians were struck, as was also the unfortunate
Don Gomez. I ran to his assistance; but he still sat his horse.

"It is nothing," he said; "a mere flesh wound, which I shall soon
recover from."

I beckoned Pedro, who went up to him and walked by his side. I was
afraid lest a sudden faintness should make him fall from his horse.

"What do you propose doing?" I asked of Manco as soon as, having got
beyond range of the Spaniards' muskets, we came to a halt.

"Proscribed and hunted, we must henceforth, like beasts of prey, seek
for safety in the caves and recesses of the mountains," he answered
gloomily.

"You say well we must settle what is to be done. There is a cavern high
up the mountains some way from this, where some hundred men may take
shelter. Few know of it, and if any traitors were to lead the Spaniards
to it, they would find it cost them dear to attack us there. I will
show the way. On, on, my friends, on!"

I saw that the chief was in no mood for conversation. That day all his
brightest hopes had faded away for ever. The liberty of Peru was lost;
his friends had been slaughtered round him; and his Inca was a prisoner
in the hands of his bitterest foes. We p