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Updated: May 25, 2025
"Yes, yes; go on! Let's hear the lovely plan." "When you do hear it, you will wonder why no one thought of it before. It is simple beyond belief, almost." "A true mark of genius, Alzura. But we're waiting to hear this infallible plan." "Well, look here. Just study that sentry's face a minute. Who is he like? Don't know? Why, isn't he just like our friend Crawford?"
Canterac was advancing with twenty thousand men; his troops had mutinied, and declared for the Patriots; he was retreating hot-foot for Cuzco; he was a prisoner in the hands of the mountain tribes. Every man suggested the event he fancied most, and seemed quite annoyed if one expressed any doubt of its accuracy. "Just our luck," grumbled Alzura. "I did think we should have had a little rest."
"Why not build a bridge?" suggested Alzura. "And use our bodies as part of the foundations," said Barriero, laughing. "If you make any more idiotic remarks, Alzura, I'll throw you into the lake." "All right," said he. "You'll be sorry when Crawford and I escape and leave you behind." "I've a long time to wait," replied Barriero, "so I'll pass some of it in sleep."
"I've seen finer in Lima," muttered the man, who was already busy at his self-imposed task. "Give me some stuff," said one of his comrades; "I'll make one sandal while you make the other. The youngster will have his feet cut to the bone. He ought to be at school instead of marching about the country." "I'm not eager to march," laughed Alzura; "I'll stay behind willingly."
Of course I promised to do so, and then went to wish the others good-bye. "I hope you will find all your people well," exclaimed Plaza on hearing the news. "After all, you're only a sort of advance courier, and we shall soon meet again." "We shall expect you to give a ball to the officers of the regiment, and a feast to the men, when we reach the capital," cried Alzura merrily.
"Thank goodness!" said Alzura. "We shall have a comfortable night at last. The trees will shelter us from the cold winds, and we shall be as cozy as in bed." "Humph!" said Gamarra testily; "much you know about it. In half an hour you'll wish we had camped on the top of a mountain." "Why?" I asked curiously, for the valley seemed to me a very suitable camping-ground.
You shall cross the mountains and join your friends. Is the danger over? It is but just beginning. You will be killed in battle. But your luck clings to you, and you still survive. Well, then, the war comes to an end; you are hunted down, captured with arms on you, and shot as rebels." "What a charming picture, sergeant!" laughed Alzura. "It seems to me we are better off where we are."
"It is marvellous what stories some men can build up from a word here and there! If Alzura lives till the end of the war, he should be a novelist." At this time I was a great deal in Lima, being employed by Colonel Miller in connection with the new expedition which Santa Cruz was to lead south. Several nights a week I slept at home, much to mother's satisfaction.
I'm not going to trust my life to your hands, or rather feet. Now, follow me closely. Walk just where I do, and if you see me disappearing, pull me back sharp. We're on the track now, and must try to keep on." "Spoken with the wisdom of a sage!" said Alzura saucily. "I say, Juan, how shall I know when you're moving?" There was certainly reason for his sarcasm.
"They're stopping to fire," cried Alzura. "Now they're moving again. Viva! they're going to charge. Look at the sun on their bayonets." Would the Royalists give way? No; they stood firm as the rocky heights behind them not a man moved. It seemed to me that there was not even a tremor in the whole mass. If our fellows charged and failed, they would be cut to pieces.
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