mall "sipo," or
tough forest creeper. These bundles are made up, so as to render the
roots convenient for packing and transport.

During several months this branch of industry occupied Don Pablo, Guapo,
and Leon; so that when the time drew nigh for their departure, what with
the cinchona-bark, the sarsaparilla, and the vanilla-beans, there was
not an empty inch in the large store-house.

Guapo had not been all the time with them. For several days Guapo was
not to be seen at the house, nor anywhere around it. Where had Guapo
been all this time? I will tell you; Guapo _had been to the mountains_!

Yes, Don Pablo had sent him on an important mission, which he had
performed with secrecy and despatch. Don Pablo, before braving the
dangers of the vast journey he had projected, had still a lingering hope
that something might have happened--some change in the government of
Peru--perhaps a new Viceroy--that might enable him to return with safety
to his native land. To ascertain if such had taken place, Guapo had
made his journey to the mountains.

He went no farther than the Puna--no farther than the hut of his friend
the vaquero--who, by a previous understanding with Guapo, had kept
himself informed about political matters.

There was no hope; the same Council, the same Viceroy, the same price
upon the head of Don Pablo--who, however, was believed to have escaped
in an American ship, and to have taken refuge in the great republic of
the North.

With this news Guapo returned, and now the preparations for the river
voyage were set about in earnest. A balza raft was built out of large
trunks of the _Bombax ceiba_, which, being light wood, was the best for
the purpose. Of course these trunks had been cut long ago with a view
to using them in this way. A commodious cabin, or "toldo," was
constructed on the raft, built of palm and bamboos, and thatched with
the broad leaves of the bussu. A light canoe was also hollowed out, as
a sort of tender to the raft, and a couple of very large canoes for the
purpose of giving buoyancy to it, were lashed one upon each side. The
"merchandise" was carefully "stowed" and covered with "tarpaulins" of
palm-leaves, and the stores laid in with every providential care and
calculation.

You will be wondering what was done with the horse and mule,--those
creatures that had served the exiles so faithfully and so well? Were
they left behind to become a prey to the jaguars and the large