as no means
of retreating, it was absolutely necessary to go to Tapuzi. We had
been already more than an hour in this ravine when an immense block
of stone fell down perpendicularly, and broke into pieces only twenty
yards before us: it was a warning. We stopped, laid down our arms,
and sat down. Perhaps just such another block as what had fallen was
hanging over our heads, ready to crush us to pieces. We heard a scream
near us. I told my lieutenant to proceed alone towards the direction
it came from. In a few minutes he returned, accompanied by two Indians,
who, confident in my pacific intentions towards them, came to fetch us,
to take us to the village. We proceeded cheerfully on the remainder
of the road until we reached the spot where ended the sort of funnel
we were walking in. Upon this height there was to be seen a plain,
some miles in circumference, surrounded by high mountains. The part
that we were in was stopped up by enormous blocks of rocks, lying
one on the top of the other. From behind stretched forth an abrupt
threatening mountain, without any signs of vegetation--not unlike
an ancient European fortress, that some magical power had raised in
the midst of the high mountains that commanded it. With one glance I
beheld the whole of the site we were crossing, and at the same time
reflected upon the great varieties nature presents to our view. We
soon reached the long wished-for object of our journey--the village of
Tapuzi. It lies at the extreme end of a plain, composed of about sixty
thatched huts, similar to those of the Indians. The inhabitants were
all at their windows, to witness our arrival. Our guides conducted
us to their chief, or Matanda-sanayon, a fine old man, from the look
of his face about eighty years of age. He bowed affably to us, and
addressed himself to me.

"How are you come here--as a friend, or is it curiosity--or do the
cruel laws of the Spaniards perhaps compel you to seek refuge among
us? If such is the case, you are welcome; you will find us brothers."

"No," I said to him; "we do not come to stay among you. I am your
neighbour, and lord of Jala-Jala. I am come to see you, to offer you
my friendship, and to ask yours."

At the name Jala-Jala the old man looked quite astonished; he then
said to me:

"It is a long time since I heard you spoken of as an agent of the
government for pursuing unfortunate men, but I have heard also that
you fulfilled your mission with much kindness, a