on upon the western coast. But it was impossible to do this,
without giving rise to suspicion; and they had the consolation, at
least, of having heard no single word concerning their countrymen
uttered in the conversations at the mine. Had Captain Francis Drake
and his companions arrived upon the coast, it was almost certain
that their presence there would be the all-absorbing topic among
the Spanish colonists.

Upon their arrival at Arica, the boys were conducted at once to the
governor--a stern and haughty-looking Spaniard, who received the
account given by the captain with an air of incredulity.

"This is a strange tale, indeed," he said, "and passes all
probability. Why should these children have been kidnapped on the
eastern coast, and brought across the continent? It is more likely
that they belong to this side. However, they could not be
malefactors who have escaped into the forest, for their age forbids
any idea of that kind. They must have been stolen. But I do not
recall any such event as the carrying off of the sons of Spaniards,
here, for many years back.

"However, this can be inquired into when they learn to speak our
language well. In the meantime, they had better be assigned
quarters in the barracks. Let them be instructed in military
exercises, and in our language."

"And," said an ecclesiastic who was sitting at the table, "in our
holy religion; for methinks, stolen away as they were in their
youth, they can be no better than pagans."

Tom had difficulty in repressing a desire to glance at Ned, as
these words were spoken. But the eyes of the governor were fixed so
intently upon them, that he feared to exhibit any emotion,
whatever. He resolved mentally, however, that his progress in
Spanish should be exceedingly small; and that many months should
elapse, before he could possibly receive even rudimentary
instruction in religious matters.

The life in the barracks at Arica resembled, pretty closely, that
which they had led so long on board ship. The soldiers received
them with good feeling and camaraderie, and they were soon
completely at home with them. They practiced drill, the use of the
pike and rapier; taking very great care, in all these exercises, to
betray exceeding clumsiness. With the bow, alone, they were able to
show how expert they were.

Indeed, the Spaniards were, in no slight degree, astonished by the
extraordinary power and accuracy of their shooting. This Ned
accounted for, t