ked up two score diamonds, some of
considerable size. If I could have stayed longer I might have made a still
richer harvest; and I had an idea that there were more under than above
ground. But I had stayed too long as it was. The mules were already
suffering for want of water; all three perished before we reached Quipai,
and the arriero and myself got home only just alive.

Nevertheless, had not Angelo put her veto on the project, I should have
made another visit to the place, provided with a sufficiency of water for
the double journey. I, moreover, thought that with time and proper tools I
could find water on the spot. However, I went not again, and I renounced
my design all the more willingly as I knew that the diamonds I had already
found were a fortune in themselves. I added them to my collection of
minerals which I kept in my cabinet at Alta Vista. My Quipais being honest
and knowing nothing whatever of precious stones I had no fear of robbers.

For several years after Balthazar's death nothing occurred to disturb the
even tenor of our way, and I had almost forgotten his warnings, and that
we were potentially "rich beyond the dreams of avarice," when one day a
runner brought word that two men had landed on the coasts and were on the
way to San Cristobal.

This was startling news, and I questioned the messenger closely, but all
he could tell me was that the strangers had arrived in a small boat, half
famished and terribly thirsty, and had asked, in broken Spanish, to be
taken to the chief of the country, and that he had been sent on to inform
me of their coming.

"The abbe!" exclaimed Angela, "you remember what he said about danger from
the sea."

"Yes; but there is nothing to fear from two hungry men in a small boat--as
I judge from the runner's account, shipwrecked mariners."

"I don't know; there's no telling, they may be followed by others, and
unless we keep them here--"

"If necessary we must keep them here; as, however, they are evidently not
Spaniards it may not be necessary. But as to that I can form no opinion
till I have seen and questioned them."

We were still talking about them, for the incident was both suggestive and
exciting, when the strangers were brought in. As I expected, they were
seamen, in appearance regular old salts. One was middle-sized, broad
built, brawny, and large-limbed--a squat Hercules, with big red whiskers,
earrings and a pig-tail. His companion was taller and less sturdy