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The mysterious
loss of a large portion of the treasure of the Incas has
never been
completely cleared up. By torturing the natives to whom the
secret had been
entrusted, the Spaniards made two or three discoveries,
but there can be
little doubt that these finds were only a small
proportion of the
total amount of the missing hoards, although for years
after their
occupation of the country the Spaniards spared no pains and
hesitated at no
cruelty to bring to light the hidden wealth. The story of
the boat which
put to sea laden with treasure is historical, and it was
generally
supposed that she was lost in a storm that took place soon after
she sailed. It
was also morally certain that the Peruvians who left the
country when the
Spaniards became masters carried off with them a very
large amount of
treasure into that part of South America lying east of
Peru. Legends are
current that they founded a great city there, and that
their descendants
occupy it at the present time. But the forests are so
thick, and the
Indian tribes so hostile, that the country has never yet
been explored,
and it may be reserved for some future traveller,
possessing the
determination of my two heroes, to clear up the mystery of
this city as they
penetrated that of the lost treasure-ship. It need
hardly be said
that the state of confusion, misrule, and incessant civil
wars which I have
described as prevailing in Peru presents a true picture
of the country at
the period in which this story is laid.
Dra. Cholita.
P.S. Click on the
The Lost Inca Treasure site-map link to have a quick access to any page.
CONTENTS
CHAP.
I. HOW IT CAME ABOUT
II. THE START
III. AT LIMA
IV. A STREET FRAY
V. AMONG THE MOUNTAINS
VI. A TROPICAL FOREST
VII. AN INDIAN ATTACK
VIII. DEFEAT OF THE NATIVES
IX. THE SIGNAL STAR
X. A FRESH START