this can only be where the Cordilleras run east, which is the case at

Tinta."

 

"That is excellent as far as it goes, if we happen to be in the right

valley at the time, Dias, but it would not help us in the slightest if we

were in any other valley. And we should have to wait a year before trying

in another place."

 

"Yes, senor, but there are marks on the rocks of a particular kind. There

are marks on rocks in other valleys, so that these should not be

distinguished by Spaniards searching for the place. I should know the

marks when I saw them."

 

"Then in that case, Dias, the star would not be of much use to us."

 

"I know not how that might be, senor, but as these instructions have been

handed down from the time when the Spaniards arrived, it must surely in

some way be useful, but in what way I cannot say."

 

"At any rate, Dias, what with those marks you speak of, and the star, it

will be hard if we cannot find it. I suppose you are sure that the place

is rich if we do light upon it?"

 

"Of that there can be no doubt, senor. Tradition says that it was the

richest spot in the mountains, and was only worked when the king had need

of gold, either for equipping an army or on some special occasion. At such

a time it would be worked for one month, and then closed until gold was

again required. However, as we go that way we shall explore other valleys.

Gold is found more or less in all of them. Possibly we may find some rich

spot which we can fall back upon if we fail in our search."

 

"But I hardly see how we can fail, with the star and those marks on the

rocks to aid us."

 

"The marks may have disappeared, senor, and in that case we may not be in

the right spot when the star rises; or again, the Incas may have closed

the approach in some way to make the matter sure. I cannot promise that we

shall find the gold; but I shall do my best with the knowledge that has

come down to me. If I fail, we must try in other directions. When the

Spaniards came, forty thousand of the Incas' people left Cuzco and the

neighbouring towns, and journeyed away down the mountains and out to the

west. Since then no reliable news concerning them has been heard, but

rumours have from time to time come from that direction to the effect that

there is a great and wealthy city there. I say not that if we failed here

we should attempt to find it. The dangers from the savages would be too

great. There would be great forests to traverse, many rivers to be

crossed. We might travel for years without ever finding their city. When

we got there, we might be seized and put to death, and if we were spared

we might not be able to make off with the treasure. I mention it to show

that gold may be found in many other places besides this valley we are

seeking."

 

"I quite agree with you, Dias, that unless we could get some indication of

the position of this city, if it now exists, it would be madness to

attempt to search for it. I want gold badly, but I do not propose that we

should all throw away our lives in what would be almost a hopeless

adventure. Even if I were ready to risk my own life on such a mad

enterprise, I would not ask others to do the same."

 

Crossing the stream, they made their way down through the forest. It was

toilsome work, as they often had to clear a way with axes through the

undergrowth and tangle of creepers. But at noon they reached level ground.

The heat was now intense, even under the trees, and the air close and

oppressive. On the way down Harry shot a wild turkey. When they halted,

this was cut up and broiled over a fire, and after it had been eaten all

lay down and slept for two or three hours.

 

"Ought we not to set a guard?" Harry had asked.

 

"No, senor, I do not think it necessary. Jose will lie down by the side of

the llamas, and even if the mules should not give us a warning of any man

or beast approaching, the llamas will do so. They are the shyest and most

timid of creatures, and would detect the slightest movement."

 

For the next three weeks they continued their way. During this time five

or six ravines were investigated as far as they could be ascended. Samples

were frequently taken from sand and gravel and washed, but though

particles of gold were frequently found, they were not in sufficient

quantity to promise good results from washing.

 

"If we had a band of natives with us," Dias said, "we should no doubt get

enough to pay well--that is to say, to cover all expenses and leave an

ounce or two of profit to every eight or ten men engaged--but as matters

stand we should only be wasting time by remaining here."

 

They had no difficulty in obtaining sufficient food; turkeys and pheasants

were occasionally shot; a tapir was once killed, and, as they had brought

hooks and lines with them, fish were frequently caught in the streams.

These were of small size, but very good eating. But, as Dias said, they

could not hope to find larger species, except far out in the plains, where

the rivers were deep and sluggish.

 

The work was hard, but they were now accustomed to it. They often had to

go a considerable distance before they could find trees available for

bridging the torrents, but, on the other hand, they sometimes came upon

some of much smaller girth than those they had first tackled. The labour

in getting these down was comparatively slight. Sometimes these stood a

little way from the stream, but after they were felled two mules could