By the end of September I was strong enough to get up, and the doctors pronouncing me out of danger, I was taken to another building. This was used as a prison for captured officers of the Patriot forces, and the very first person to greet me as I stepped inside the room was the lively Alzura. "Juan Crawford," cried he, "by all that's wonderful! From the ballroom to the prison-house! There's a splendid subject for the moralist. Where have you been, Juan? your people think you are dead. Miller is frantic; all your friends in Lima are in despair." "Do you know anything of Don Felipe Montilla?" I asked. "Montilla? No; there is a mystery about him too. It is given out that he was abducted by brigands, but some people whisper another story." "What?" "That he fled to the Royalists, my boy, as I prophesied he would." "Then you were a false prophet." "Then I ask the worthy Don's pardon for suspecting him without cause. But how did you get here?" "I was brought in a wagon." "Lucky dog! Always lucky, Juan. I had to walk," and he showed me his feet, naked, and scored with cuts. After sympathizing with him, I asked him how events were shaping. "Canterac did not capture Callao, as he hoped, and is now back in the highlands. Many things have happened, however; let me be your chronicle. Where shall I start?" "From the day that Canterac swooped down on Lima." "That was nothing. He sat down in the capital; we hugged the guns at Callao and looked at him. When he got tired he took himself off, and we returned to our quarters." "Nothing very exciting in that." "You are right, my boy. Your judgment is marvellous. But we had a day of excitement shortly before I came on this trip. You should have been there. Lima went stark mad! The guns at Callao thundered for hours; the capital was decked with flags; the people cheered till they were hoarse; there was a very delirium of joy. It was the greeting of Peru to her saviour--her second saviour, that is." "Why can't you speak plainly? Do you mean Bolivar has come?" "Your second question, Juan, shows there was little need for the first. Yes, Bolivar, the protector or emperor, or whatever name the new master of Peru cares to be known by. The hero of South America has arrived; let the Spaniards tremble!" "For any sake give your tongue a rest. What has Santa Cruz done?" "What has Santa Cruz done? A very great deal, my boy, I assure you. He has lost his whole army--men and horses, guns and ammunition, wagons and stores. What do you think of that, young man? You will be compelled to swallow Bolivar after all." "Let us change the subject. Tell me about yourself." "Ah," said he, "that is indeed a great subject! Your discernment is worthy of praise. I can talk on that topic for hours without tiring. Where shall I begin?" "Where is the jailer?" "Why?" "That I may ask him to send me back to the hospital."