Lopez was close. He, too, was really affected at the loss of his young mistress; for Ethel, by her unvarying sweetness of temper, was a favourite with every one. 'Lopez, you will remain here in charge. We may be away two days--we may be away twenty. I know I can trust you to look after the place just as if we were here.' The capitaz bowed with his hand on his heart. Even the peasants of South America preserve the grand manner and graceful carriage of their Spanish ancestors. 'And now, Lopez, do you know of any of the Guachos in this part of the country who have ever lived with the Indians, and know their country at all?' 'Martinez, one of the shepherds at Canterbury, Signor Charles, was with them for seven months; and Perez, one of Signor Jamieson's men, was longer still.' Charles at once wrote notes asking that Perez and Martinez might accompany the expedition, and despatched them by mounted peons. 'And now, Lopez, what amount of charqui have we in store?' 'A good stock, Signor; enough for fifty men for a fortnight.' Charqui is meat dried in the sun. In hot climates meat cannot be kept for many hours in its natural state. When a bullock is killed, therefore, all the meat which is not required for immediate use is cut up into thin strips, and hung up in the sun to dry. After this process it is hard and strong, and by no means palatable; but it will keep for many months, and is the general food of the people. In large establishments it is usual to kill several animals at once, so as to lay in sufficient store of charqui to last for some time. 'Terence, go up to the house and see what biscuit there is. Lopez, get our horses saddled, and one for Terence,--a good one,--and give them a feed of maize. Now, Hubert, let us go up to the house, and get our carbines and pistols.' Mr. Hardy came out to meet them as they approached. 'How are mamma and Maud, papa?' 'More quiet and composed now, boys. They have both gone to lie down. Maud wanted sadly to go with us, but she gave way directly I pointed out to her that her duty was to remain here by her mother's side. And now, Charley, what arrangements have you made?' Charley told his father what he had done. 'That is right. And now we will be off at once. Give Terence orders to bring on the meat and biscuit in an hour's time. Let him load a couple of horses, and bring a man with him to bring them back.' 'Shall we bring any rockets, papa?'