l. Tom kept a lookout for Senor Pinto, but did not see him, and
concluded that the Spaniard was ill, and would be carried ashore on a
stretcher, perhaps.

Lima, the principal city and capital of Peru, proved an interesting
place. It was about eight miles inland and was built on an arid plain
about five hundred feet above sea level. Yet, though it was on what
might be termed a desert, the place, by means of irrigation, had been
made into a beauty spot.

Tom found the older part of the city was laid out with mathematical
regularity, each street crossing the other at right angles. But in the
new portions there was not this adherence to straightness.

"Bless my transfer! Why, they have electric cars here!" exclaimed Mr.
Damon, catching sight of one on the line between Callao and the capital.

"What did you think they'd have?" asked Mr. Titus, "elephants or
camels?"

"I--I didn't just know," was the answer.

"Oh, you'll find a deal of civilization here," the contractor said. "Of
course much of the population is negro or Indian, but they are often
rich and able to buy what they want. There is a population of over
150,000, and there are two steam railroads between Callao and Lima,
while there is one running into the interior for 130 miles, crossing
the Andes at an elevation of over three miles. It is a branch of that
road, together with a branch of the one running to Ancon, that I am to
connect with a tunnel."

Tom found some beautiful churches and cathedrals in Lima, and spent
some time visiting them. He and Mr. Damon also visited, in the
outskirts, the tobacco, cocoa and other factories.

Three days after reaching the capital, Mr. Titus having attended to
some necessary business while Mr. Damon set on foot matters connected
with his affairs, it was decided to strike inland to Rimac, and to try
the effect of Tom Swift's explosive on the tunnel.

The journey was to be made in part by rail, though the last stages of
it were over a rough mountain trail, with llamas for beasts of burden,
while our friends rode mules.

As Tom, Mr. Damon, Koku, and Mr. Titus were going to the railroad
station they saw Professor Bumper also leaving the hotel.

"I believe our roads lie together for a time," said the bald-headed
scientist, "and, if you have no objections, I will accompany you."

"Come, and welcome!" exclaimed Mr. Titus, all his suspicions now gone.

"And it may be that you will be able to help me," the scientist went on