itting that part of
Peru, and taking refuge far beyond the borders of civilisation among
some of the wild tribes of the interior, in regions where the foot of
the white man had not yet penetrated.

"There I will remain," he said, "till a more favourable opportunity
occurs for rescuing my country from the oppression of the stranger. Be
assured that time will come. My boy may have grown to manhood, and my
hair may have turned grey, or we may both have passed away; but Spain
cannot for ever keep her iron yoke on the necks of our people. In the
meantime we shall have collected arms, and have learned the art of war
from our conquerors; and avoiding the errors which have now overcome us,
we shall be able to cope with them successfully."

He promised, moreover, to accompany us till we should be fairly embarked
on the great river of the south. I then asked Pedro what he proposed
doing.

"I will go with you, my friend," he answered at once. "I have no hopes
of obtaining my father's property, and I cannot quit you; I will share
your dangers, and accompany you to your native land."

I rather doubted whether it would not be wiser for him to try and reach
Cuzco, and put himself in communication with the Father Manuel, to whom
his father had referred him; but he adhered to his resolution of
accompanying me.

"I have no friends among my countrymen; I care not for wealth; and I
long to obtain that knowledge which here I cannot hope to find. I wish
also to see the world, and more than all, David, I would not be parted
from you."

So it was arranged; and Manco having sent out the Indians as scouts in
all directions to ascertain whether any Spaniards were in the
neighbourhood, we made instant preparations for our departure.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

OUR WONDERFUL ADVENTURES AND ESCAPES.

During our long stay in the cave, my mind often turned to the future,
and I was sorely puzzled to know by what means, without funds of any
sort, we should find our way to England. Ned, as a sailor, would have
no difficulty; but Pedro and I, from our ignorance of nautical affairs,
would be totally unable to work our way. One day Manco asked me what I
was thinking about. I told him.

"Let not that distress you, my friend," he answered. "If gold could
restore happiness to our country, I could fill this cavern with it. I
will show you where you may supply yourself with all you can require;
you will spend it well, and therefore I do not h