The major's news, as you may imagine, filled me with the liveliest astonishment and excitement. My father alive! I could hardly credit the statement. What would my mother say? How would she receive the startling information? I rose from my seat and walked about the cavern, trying to think it over coolly. Then it dawned upon me why Santiago had said he would not be doing me any real kindness in talking of the discovery. After all, his information only reopened the old wounds. More than two years had passed since my father's disappearance, and many things had happened in that time. Not every one who entered the casemates of Callao came out alive. "But," said I aloud, "some one must know the truth. A man can't be shut up without authority, even in Peru." "I wish I could help you," replied the major. "As soon as I escape from Moquegua I will make inquiries." "Thank you; but I fear it will be a long time to wait," I answered gloomily. "Not at all! La Hera will return in a week or two, and your Miller will be too busy running away to look after prisoners. Imitate me, my boy, and make Hope your best friend." In trying to cheer me he forgot his own distress. The light returned to his eyes, the smile to his face, and he seemed to have banished all memory of his recent despair. "Come," said he cheerfully, "put your doubts and fears aside for the present. Our wounded want attention; we must not neglect them." I tried hard to act upon his advice, but all the time continued to wonder whether my father was alive or dead. That was the one question that racked my brain, and to it I could give no answer. We had just made our patients comfortable, with the exception of one who was dying fast, when a shrill whistle sounded outside. "The surgeon!" I exclaimed, running to the entrance. "Yes, there he is with the guide and two soldiers." "Two bandits!" said Santiago banteringly. "Give the men their proper name." "Soldiers or bandits, they know how to fight. Help me to uncoil the rope, will you?" "That's almost as bad as asking a man to make the noose he is to hang in. You forget that on leaving here I shall go straight to prison." "I had forgotten, major, and sorry enough I am to remember it. Still, as La Hera returns so soon, it will be only a temporary inconvenience, and I'm sure Colonel Miller will treat you well." Santiago laughed. "You will make me fancy soon that imprisonment is a privilege worth paying for," he exclaimed. "Hardly that," I replied; "but, as Barejo said, it keeps one out of mischief." We lowered the rope, the guide attached the surgeon's instruments, and at a signal we hauled up. Then the rope went down again, the two soldiers climbed to the cave, and the doctor followed unsteadily. It was evident that this novel method of visiting patients found no favour in his eyes; he was obviously nervous, and twice during the ascent I quite expected to see him go headlong.