avy
down grade, it would be impossible for any train to stop, unless
warned beforehand.

This was the murderous scheme of the insurgents.

I learned it was the intention of the insurgents to proceed to
Vincocaya in the morning, destroy as they went along, the telegraph
offices, wait at Vincocaya until the arrival of the regular passenger
train from Arequipa and then proceed to Sumbay bridge. They evidently
had calculated with a great deal of precision, and if their plans
carried, victory would certainly be theirs.

All these things were filling me with apprehension. I knew I would be
captured, but how could I save the bridge? I was determined to try at
all hazards.

XIV.

FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY.

"This document calls for the payment of $10,000, and guarantees you
life employment by the government of Peru, provided you save the
Sumbay bridge," said the prefecto as he handed me a paper duly
witnessed by the priest.

"No, Senor, I cannot accept it," I replied. "I will do my duty for the
sake of humanity. It is part of my plan to be captured by the
insurgents and should that paper be found on my person, I would be
shot as a spy. If I succeed you can reward me."

I left the Prefecto and his party, wishing them a safe journey, and
sauntered carelessly back to the Inca hotel. I entered smoking a cigar
and wearing a look of unconcern, pretended I was not aware of any
revolutionary movement. There were several men playing billiards in
the parlors. I took a chair and sat down to watch the players. About
11 o'clock I asked to be shown to my room, and retired, knowing full
well that I had been watched by a citizen of Puno since my entrance to
the hotel, and I was satisfied I would soon be taken prisoner.

About 2 o'clock in the morning, I was awakened from a restless sleep
by the entrance of twelve men armed with bare swords and revolvers.
They were all talking at once. I sat up in bed and appeared to be
amazed. The leader requested me to dress and accompany him. The
streets were lined with people shouting the old familiar cry, "Viva
Pierola," as I was marched in the center of this crowd. The cry
resounded down street after street. The city was wild with excitement.
The escape of the Prefecto was on every lip, as we turned at a street
corner and to the station. We had great difficulty in obtaining
entrance, but a passage was cleared and I was ushered into the
presence of the leader of the revolutionary forces