s, some very high, interspersed with table lands, rich plains
and valleys) there is the montana region of tropical forests, running
down to the valley of the Amazon.

"That sounds interesting," commented Mr. Damon.

"It is interesting," declared Mr. Titus. "For it is from this tropical
region that your quinine comes, Mr. Damon, though you may not have to
go there to straighten out your affairs. I think you can do better
bargaining with the officials in Lima, or near there."

"Are there any wild animals in Peru?" Tom inquired.

"Well, not many. Of course there are the llamas and alpacas, which are
the beasts of burden--almost like little camels you might say, though
much more gentle. Then there is the wild vicuna, the fleece of which is
made into a sort of wool, after which a certain kind of cloth is named.

"Then there is the taruco, a kind of deer, the viscacha, which is a big
rat, the otoc, a sort of wild dog, or fox, and the ucumari, a black
bear with a white nose. This bear is often found on lofty mountain
tops, but only when driven there in search of food.

"The condors, of course, are big birds of prey in the Andes. You must
have read about them; how they seem to lie in the upper regions of the
air, motionless, until suddenly they catch sight of some dead animal
far down below when they sweep toward it with the swiftness of the
wink. There is another bird of the vulture variety, with wings of black
and white feathers. The ancient Incas used to decorate their head
dresses with these wing feathers."

"Well, I'm glad I'm going to Peru," said Tom. "I never knew it was such
an interesting country. But I don't suppose we'll have time to see much
of it."

"Oh, I think you will," commented Mr. Titus. "We don't always have to
work on the tunnel. There are numerous holidays, or holy-days, which
our Indian workers take off, and we can do nothing without them. I'll
see that you have a chance to do some exploring if you wish."

"Good!" exclaimed Tom. "I brought my electric rifle with me, and I may
get a chance to pop over one of those bears with a white nose. Are they
good to eat?"

"The Indians eat them, I believe, when they can get them, but I
wouldn't fancy the meat," said the contractor.

Luncheon over, the three travelers departed with their baggage for the
Chicago Limited, which left from the Pennsylvania Station at
Twenty-third Street. As usual, Koku attracted much attention because of
his size.

The trip