these cold uplands thrive sheep, and cattle, and llamas, and flocks
of the wool-bearing alpaco. Through this wild region, however, you may
travel for days without encountering even a single one of the wretched
and isolated inhabitants who watch over these flocks and herds.

On reaching the Puna, our party had made their day's journey, and would
have halted. The llamas already showed signs of giving out by stopping
and uttering their strange booming note. But Guapo knew these parts--
for, though a descendant of the Incas, he had originally come from the
great forest beyond the eastern slope of the Andes, where many of the
Peruvian Indians had retired after the cruel massacres of Pizarro. He
now remembered, that not far from where they were, was a shepherd's hut,
and that the shepherd himself was an old friend of his. That would be
the place to stop for the night; and, by Guapo's advice, Don Pablo
resolved to continue on to the hut. Guapo fell upon his knees before
the llamas, and, after caressing and kissing them, and using a great
variety of endearing expressions, he at last coaxed these animals to
proceed. No other means would have availed, as beating would not make
either llama budge an inch. The leader, who was a fine large animal and
a great favourite with its master, at length stepped boldly out; and the
other, encouraged by the sound of the small bells that tinkled around
the head of the leader, followed after, and so the travellers moved on.

"Come, papa!" cried Leon; "you are tired yourself--mount this horse--I
can walk a bit:" at the same instant the boy flung himself from the back
of the horse, and led him up to where his father stood. Then handing
the bridle to the latter, he struck off along the plain, following Guapo
and his llamas.

The road skirted round the rocks, where the mountain came down to meet
the plain. The walk was not a long one, for the hut of which Guapo
spoke became visible at less than a quarter of a mile's distance. An
odd-looking hut it was--more like an ill-built stack of bean-straw than
a house. It had been built in the following manner:--

First, a round ring of large stones had been laid, then a row of turf,
then another tier of stones, and so on, until the circular wall had
reached the height of about four or five feet, the diameter being not
more than eight or nine. On the top of the wall a number of poles had
been set, so as to meet above where they were tied togethe