ree,
passed the cord several times round him and the trunk, knotting it firmly
behind the tree. Then he went away to the stream and cut a couple of
gourds, filled them with water, and returned. Jacopo had now opened his
eyes, and was looking round him in a dazed condition. When he saw Stephen
approaching he made a struggle to rise.

"It is of no use, Jacopo," Stephen said quietly; "your power of mischief
is at an end. You have murdered your captain, and you would have murdered
me, so now your life is justly forfeited. Did I give you the fate you
deserve, I would bring down the body of your victim, tie it to you, and
leave you to die of thirst. Fortunately for you I am a British officer,
and I cannot be both judge and executioner."

The Peruvian's reply was a volley of curses and execrations.

"Will you drink some water?" Stephen asked, without paying any attention
to his words.

The Peruvian's only reply was to spit furiously at him. Stephen placed one
of the gourds on the ground close to him, saying: "You will think better
of it presently", poured the contents of the other over Jacopo's head; and
then returning to the boat, brought off another coil of rope with which he
still more securely fastened Jacopo to the tree, and then went up to the
tent. He spent the day in carrying down the store of provisions, arms, and
ammunition, asking Jacopo each time he passed him whether he would have
some water. For some time the prisoner refused; but the agony of thirst
caused by the fever of his wounds at last overcame his resolution, and he
cried loudly, as Stephen approached him, for water. Stephen held the gourd
to his lips until he drank off the whole of its contents, then he went and
refilled both gourds, poured one over the man's head, set the other down
beside him, and continued his work.

By nightfall he had carried everything on board, and there remained but to
take the other water-casks alongside. Jacopo had drunk several gourds full
of water during the day, but by evening he became delirious from fury and
the fever of his wounds; Stephen therefore undid all his fastenings save
those round his ankles, and took up his post near him. All night the man
raved incessantly. From time to time Stephen got up and poured water
between his lips, and in the morning cut a very ripe melon, squeezed the
juice from the pulp, and gave it to him to drink. Then he went down and
towed the other water-barrels to the cutter and got them on