MOON (_with a heavy axe_, _and several other things_, _produces a rope_, _which he has coiled round him_, _and throws one end up the rock_). I’ll show them a trick, General, that will beat all their jumping. (_He prepares to throw the rope_) Look out there aloft! (_he throws_) Now make fast Chiruca (_he runs up the rope amid much laughter_). DRAKE. Well done, Moon! Always prepared; he’s loaded like one of Llamas. MOON _slides down again and holds the rope for_ DRAKE. MOON. There, General, I have tried it for you. DRAKE. That was a bright and seamanlike thought, Moon. DRAKE, OXENHAM, _and the others ascend_. MOON. I wish I had brought a kedge anchor and a block or two with me, I think we shall need a whole running gear and tackle before we shall have warped through all these shoals and narrows (_he secures about him his axe and various implements_, _and ascends the rope_, _amid cheers from the top of the rock_. _They are seen crossing over a deep craggy ravine_, _on a bridge of ropes twisted of fibres of trees_, _and so disappear in the distance at the other side_). _Scene changes_. SCENE VI.—PALACE OF THE INDIAN CACIQUE. _First_, _the hedge of Prickly Pear_—_the outer defence_. _Secondly_, _the Moat with the drawbridge_. _The ground in front of the Palace_. _The surrounding country of rich and fertile plain_. _Further off the wooded heights_, _and winding Savannahs_, _with Lakes_, _Streams_, _and waterfalls terminating in the Sierra of lofty mountains_. _Enter_ DRAKE, CHIRUCA, _and the party across the drawbridge_. CHIRUCA (_he points to the Palace_). Behold the home of my Fathers! the Palace of the Great Comagre! (_they hold up their hands in astonishment_) DRAKE. Grand! rich! sublime! Nature has sown thick her gifts and broadcast. On earth and sky every element of the picturesque is here; the horizon of that Majestic Sierra, with its streams and waterfalls! the lake sleeping in the gorgeous light of evening; those fertile vales; those cultivated fields and gardens of productive industry; the tall forest teeming with fruits and flowers, loading the breeze with spicy odours, and which the declining sun paints in the tints of Heaven. Who would not fight for such a country? CHIRUCA (_he points to the defences_). This hedge is our outermost defence. DRAKE. Neither horse nor man could enter it without death. CHIRUCA. Behind it you see the moat. The only entrance, the Bamboo swinging bridge, can be defended with a thousand bows, whose poisoned arrows carry certain death. The Palace, enclosed in a stone wall, contains beside the dwelling apartments, accomodation for warriors to defend it, stores for provisions, and cellars for making and keeping our various liquors. But here comes the Great Cacique to welcome and honour you.