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Updated: April 30, 2025
"You saved my life not long ago, and I should be an ingrate indeed if I refused to conform to your wishes in so simple a matter as that. But I understood you to say that you knew I was coming to you! How on earth could you possibly know that? I didn't know it myself until a few hours ago!" "Did not I tell you that I possess the gift of foreknowledge?" remarked Cachama somewhat impatiently.
Ten minutes later Escombe once more found himself in the cavern which he knew so well, partaking of a most excellent stew, and detailing to his hostess between mouthfuls all the particulars relating to the disappearance of Butler and his party of peons. He brought his recital to a close by enquiring whether Cachama or Yupanqui had chanced to see any of the missing ones. "No," said Cachama.
If, as you say, I have been able to help you I am glad, and shall be glad to help you again whenever and as often as you may need my assistance. Nevertheless," looking with sudden intentness into the young Englishman's eyes "I think nay, I am certain that a time is coming when, if you care to remember them, Mama Cachama and Yupanqui will be glad that they befriended you."
Yet, now that the man was in actual peril, all that was forgotten, every generous instinct in the lad sprang at once to the surface, his one idea was to hurry to the rescue, and he cried eagerly: "Tell me exactly where to find him and I will go at once and bring him in." "Wait, muchacho, wait!" exclaimed Cachama impatiently.
When the chief passed here he was in a terribly exhausted state, and staggered as he ran, exactly as Mama Cachama described, for just here he stumbled if your honour will take the trouble to dismount you can see the mark where the toe of his boot dug into the soil and I think the spot where he fell finally cannot be very far from here."
For the first hour the route followed by Arima was identical with that described by Mama Cachama while in her clairvoyant state; but when they reached the wood wherein Butler's horse had been found straying, the Indian bore away to the right, and, skirting the belt of timber for some distance, cut through it near its southern extremity, emerging upon the mountain spur some three miles from, and much higher than, the spot where the first search party had come out.
"You must direct me how to go straight to where he lies; for should it be necessary for us to pick up his trail and follow that, he would be dead long ere we could reach him." "Where is Arima?" demanded Cachama. "Let him come to me." "I am here," answered the Indian, drawing near to the old woman. "Then listen attentively, Arima, and mark well what I say," commanded the Mama.
"Nay," answered Cachama, "he still lives, for his chest heaves and he now and then gasps for breath; but his flight is ended, for the present at least, and if you would find him with the life still in his body you must surely hasten." "But how shall I find him?" demanded Harry.
Harry's hostess who now mentioned that she bore the name of Cachama appeared to be in a singularly communicative mood that day, for she beguiled the time by not only pointing out and naming the principal peaks in sight, but she also related several very interesting legends connected with certain of them and with the country generally, going back to the time before the conquest, and painting in dazzling colours the glories of the Inca dynasty, and the incredible wealth of the ancient rulers of Peru.
That he was correct in his surmise that this opening was a cavern was now demonstrated by his Indian guide, who said: "Be pleased to take my hand again, Senor, and follow me without fear. This is one of several entrances to the cavern in which Cachama dwells. You will find the ground smooth and even for almost the entire distance, and presently we shall find torches by which to light our way."
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