Part 52 (1/2)

”Were you in that battle, senor? Wasn't it terrible?” and the man looked at my comrade with renewed interest.

Indeed, from that time he treated us both with increased respect, and the journey pa.s.sed quite pleasantly in his company. During the second day we met several groups of mounted Indians, and a detachment of regular soldiers; which showed that we could not be far from the main encampment, on the plain between Rancas and Pasco. Our guide expected to reach it that night, but we did not get in till after breakfast next morning.

The plain was a splendid place for a camp, though rather high up, being some twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea. Surrounding it on all sides, huge mountains towered, their mighty summits hidden by the clouds. The table-land itself was alive with soldiers, and presently I caught sight of the flag which had been presented to the Peruvian Legion.

”Take us over there,” I cried excitedly to the guide.--”There are our comrades, Alzura. I see Plaza, and Cordova, and the sour-faced old major. Viva! viva!” and I rose in the stirrups with delight.

What explanation the Indian gave I do not know. We were plucked from the saddles and bandied about from one fellow to another in less than no time, every one helping to keep up a running fire of remarks.

”Now let the Royalists tremble!” exclaimed Plaza, striking a dramatic att.i.tude, spoiled only by the fun and twinkle in his eyes.

”Only think, our little Alzura has returned to us!” cried another; ”let us embrace him.”

”Wait till he's been scrubbed a few times,” suggested Plaza. ”The legion should be proud of these 'young bloods.' What airs and graces!

What remarkable and novel costumes! What--”

”Can any one lend me a s.h.i.+rt?” interrupted Alzura.

”A s.h.i.+rt?” exclaimed Cordova. ”My dear fellow, I have a dozen, quite clean and doing nothing, I shall be proud to let you and Crawford each have one.”

”Oh, thanks!” said Alzura. ”I thought something practical ought to come from all that talk. Come on, my boy, let's have them at once.

Where are they?”

”Just down in Lima. You have only to--” but a roar of laughter drowned the end of the sentence.

”You really don't require one,” remarked Plaza; ”it would spoil the rest of your uniform--that is, if you have one under that dirt.”

Every one was still enjoying the joke, when a number of officers in brilliant uniforms approached our quarter of the plain. In the leader I recognized Bolivar; and, to my great satisfaction, Colonel Miller was one of his suite.

”Your men seem to be enjoying themselves, colonel,” we heard Bolivar remark; ”what is it all about?”

At that moment Miller caught sight of us, and leaving the general's question unanswered, called us over, saying, ”Alzura! Crawford! Where have you been, my boys? We had quite given you up.--General, these are two of my young officers who have been missing for months.”

Bolivar, who was in good humour that morning, made us stand by him and relate our adventures. Then he complimented us on our pluck, and turning to an officer, said, ”Take these youngsters to O'Brien, and ask him to supply them with decent clothing; they have at least earned that. And I am very proud of you, boys; and so, no doubt, are your comrades.” At which Plaza led off a round of cheering.

I was very glad to see the great, big, jolly Irishman again, and he lost no time in getting us fresh uniforms from the stores, with an extra poncho apiece.

”You'll be glad of that at night,” said he, ”for up here the thermometer is generally below freezing-point. I must come to see you, if there's time, and hear your story.”

O'Brien was quite right about the biting cold, but on that first night at least we hardly felt it. Dressed in our new clothes, comfortably wrapped in our ponchos, seated close to a roaring fire, and surrounded by old friends, Alzura and I felt amply repaid for all our toils and privations.

In honour of our arrival our brother officers had organized a grand supper, the greatest delicacy being a small loaf of white bread, which they insisted on sharing with Alzura and myself. After supper, we had to give an account of our adventures; and many a laugh went up as I told of my chum's plans, of our disasters in crossing the mora.s.s, and of the strange Indians who had mistaken us for Royalists, which, Plaza unkindly remarked, was a poor compliment to the enemy.

”After all,” he continued, ”you haven't had such a very bad time. Now, while you've been playing, we've been at work.”

”Oh,” cried Alzura, smiling blandly, ”that would be a change for you!”

”We've made roads,” said Cordova, with a solemn air, ”built huts, collected fuel, carried corn, and driven cattle. We've worked harder than the labourers on your father's estates.”

”Glad to hear it,” laughed my chum. ”I thought Bolivar would make something of you. A pity we weren't with you, though.”