n they
had to cross the stony headlands and swamps, and to carry heavy burdens,
their feet were often terribly torn.

The Cacique had now become a very hard master to all but the captain,
and forced them to row like galley slaves when they were in the boats.
Indeed, the captain seemed to encourage the Indian in this conduct. He
had become more selfish and cunning in keeping all the food he could lay
hands on for himself, and was accustomed to sleep with his head pillowed
on a dirty piece of canvas in which he wrapped portions of seal or
sea-eggs. Thorough cleanliness had become an impossibility to them: they
were now terribly emaciated and covered by vermin. The captain
particularly was a most shocking sight. His legs had become tremendously
swelled, probably from the disease known as 'beri-beri,' while his body
was almost a skeleton, his beard had grown very long, and his face was
covered with train oil and dirt.

When at last they were within a few miles of the island of Chiloc, they
found they had to cross a most dangerous bay. After waiting for two days
for fair weather they started, although the Cacique even then seemed
terrified, and there was every reason for it, as the sea ran so strong
and their boat was most crazy, the bottom plank having opened, and
ceaseless bailing had to be carried on all the time. It was early in
June when they reached this place.

[Illustration: The Cacique fires off the gun]

Directly the Cacique landed he buried all the things he had brought from
the wreck, for he knew that the Spaniards would take everything from
him.

That same evening, as they drew near to a settlement of Chiloc Indians
the Cacique asked them to load their one remaining gun with the last
charge of powder, and to show him how to fire it off. Holding the gun
as far away from his head as he could he fired, and fell back into the
bottom of the canoe.

When the Chiloc Indians found out who they were, they brought fish and
potatoes for them to eat, and this was the nicest meal they had had for
more than a year.

These Indians are very strong and nice-looking people; they are
extremely neat in their dress. The men wear what is called a puncho,
which is a square piece of cloth in stripes of different colours, with a
slit in the centre wide enough to put their heads through, and it hangs
from their shoulders.

After a little time the shipwrecked men were sent on by these people to
the Spaniards at Castro. There th