a light bamboo
framework, forming a sort of canopy. And the motion? He was by this
time sufficiently awake to understand that it was real; nor was it due
to earthquake, as he had at first been inclined to think it might be;
no, it was the regular, rhythmic movement of men marching and keeping
step; he was being carried!

With a rush his senses came fully back to him, and he started up into a
sitting posture. It was high time for him to get to the bottom of this
mystery, he told himself. He saw that midway in their length the side
curtains which enclosed him were divided and overlapped, and, stretching
out his hand, he wrenched them apart, at the same time, in his
forgetfulness, calling loudly for Arima.

In an instant the Indian was by the side of the litter and peering in
through the opening between the parted curtains, to his masters intense
astonishment.

"You called, Senor--my Lord, I mean?" exclaimed the man submissively.

"I did!" answered Escombe incisively. "What has happened, Arima? Where
have you been? Where am I? Why am I being carried off in this
outrageous manner? Answer me quickly."

"My Lord," answered the Indian deprecatingly, "I implore you not to be
disturbed or alarmed in the least. We are all your slaves, and are
prepared to lay down our lives in your service. No harm is intended
you; but it is necessary that you accompany us to the place whither we
are going. Here is my Lord Tiahuana. He will perhaps explain further."

Meanwhile, during this brief colloquy, the cortege had come to a halt,
and now the elder of the two priests presented himself as Arima retired,
and, with a profound obeisance, said:

"Let my Lord pardon his servants, and let not his anger be kindled
against them. What we have done has been done of necessity and because
there seemed to be no other way. But my Lord need have no fear that
evil is meditated against him; on the contrary, a position of great
power and glory will be his at the end of his journey; and meanwhile
every possible provision has been made for the comfort and wellbeing of
my Lord during his passage through the mountains."

"But--but--I don't understand," stammered Harry. "Who are you, why do
you address me as Lord, and what do you mean by talking about a passage
through the mountains? There is a ridiculous mistake."

"Nay, Lord, be assured that there is no mistake," answered Tiahuana
impressively. "The matter has been most carefully inve