Leading the spare horse, I rode through the grounds, cantered down the narrow lane, struck the highroad, and turned in the direction of the mountains. Just where Sorillo might be I could not tell, but I determined first of all to try the ravine where I had once spent several days. I have said that I had little faith in the success of my mission. Why the Indians had committed this outrage was a mystery, and I could think of nothing which would help me to solve it. That Don Felipe had acted treacherously I could well believe; but why, in that case, did not Sorillo hand him over to the government? Why should the officers of the Silver Key take it upon themselves to try him? I rode on gloomily till the sun was high in the heavens, halting at a solitary hut, where the woman gave me food and drink for myself and the animals. She was kind enough in this matter, but to my questions she would return no answers. She knew nothing about the war, except that the soldiers had slain her only son, and her husband had been absent for over a year. He might be Royalist or Patriot, she did not know, only she wished people were allowed to live in peace, and to cultivate their little plots of land. Giving her some money, I mounted and rode on, feeling refreshed by the brief halt. The district was for the most part bare and uninhabited. Here and there were the remains of a ruined hut, and on the route I passed the deserted hacienda which had once afforded me a night's shelter. I met no people, except occasionally a few women and little children; the men and growing boys were in the mountains or in the ranks of the army. It was evening when I reached the foot of the mountains. My horses were tired out, and the worst part of the journey still lay before me. However, the light had not altogether faded, so I began the ascent, hoping to meet with some of Sorillo's men. As it chanced, I had not long to wait. A sudden "Halt! who are you?" brought me to a stand, and I answered at random, "A friend of the Silver Key." "Are you alone?" asked the voice, with just a tinge of suspicion. "Yes," I replied. "I am Juan Crawford, and am looking for Raymon Sorillo. Can you take me to him?" A man stepped from behind a rock, and eyeing me suspiciously, exclaimed, "Wait, senor. I cannot leave my post, but I will call for a guide;" and putting his hand to his mouth, he whistled softly. The sound was answered by one from higher up, and presently a second Indian, armed to the teeth, came running down. The two talked together in whispers, and at last the second man said, "Come this way, senor; I will lead you to the chief. He will be pleased to see the son of Don Eduardo." Under the circumstances I thought this rather doubtful, but I followed him up the path. "Are you staying in the ravine?" I asked. "Yes, senor, for the present." "Did you go with the chief to Lima?"