"True!" said Pedro, shaking his head. "Thou must go to Panama—and thence to Spain, for thou’lt be safe no nearer. Now, weigh this for a plan: Thou’lt go to Cuzco. Doubtless Huallampo will furnish thee an escort. I will go with thee as far as Xauxa, wait for thy return with the Ñusta, then we will go to the coast together. I will watch at San Miguel for a ship, and will arrange thy passage with—the Señora de Peralta. I have some moderate savings, Cristoval,—enough to purchase the aid of a shipmaster. I can pay him double what he would get for thy head, and have some left to silence others. What sayst thou to’t, _amigo_?" Cristoval seized his hand, overcome with gratitude. "Pedro, thou’rt—" "A cook!" interrupted Pedro, returning his grasp with sudden animation. "A cook shorn of a leg by the iniquity of Fate. A cook with but half his share of footprints. A pruned cook. A remnant. Naught more, Cristoval. But what thinkst thou of it?" "By Saint Michael! Pedro, thou’rt—" "A cook!" said Pedro again. "Let it go. Come! Discuss, comment, bandy a word or two about the plan. Thou ’rt staring like a choked calf." Cristoval’s face clouded. "It will not do, my good comrade," he said. "Thou must have no part in it, save with thy counsel. Thou hast already ventured too much for friendship’s sake. The affair at Caxamalca might have cost thee dearly." Pedro had not told him of the thumbscrews. "And furthermore, I cannot use thy gold. I am penniless, and could never repay thee. Advise, and no more." "Why, stew me to rags, Cristoval!" retorted Pedro, with irritation, "thou dost talk as if we were not friends." "Nay! That is as far from my thoughts as from thine. But friendship—" "Is friendship!" blurted the cook, and would hear no further objection. They considered it long and in detail; foresaw difficulties, and overcame them; wrought their plans into as great perfection as plans are often wrought—and in the event, as shall be seen, carried them as near to execution as human plans are often carried. The project gave a fresh impulse to Cristoval’s recovery. They disclosed their purpose to nobody, though to Huallampo and Maytalca the cavalier confided his wish to see the Ñusta Rava before leaving the country, and the _curaca_ proffered his aid. Markumi should go, and as many other men as needed, with supplies for the journey to Cuzco. At last Pedro admitted grudgingly that his companion was fit to take the road; and against the _curaca’s_ earnest advice they pushed their preparations.