Lippincotts Magazine, February 1873 | Page 6

and were now far away. Mr. Marcoy
proposed therefore to continue the march without them, but to set down
a heavy account of bastinadoes to their credit when they should turn up
again at Marcapata. This proposition, as it erred on the side of mercy,
was unanimously rejected, and a scouting-party was ordered in pursuit,
consisting of the bark-hunters and Juan of Aragon, to whom for the
occasion Pepe Garcia confided his remarkable fowling-piece.
[Illustration: "ARAGON AND HIS MEN FELL UPON THE
DESERTERS WITHOUT MERCY."--P. 138.]

In the afternoon the extemporized police reappeared. The fugitives had
been found tranquilly sitting on the banks of the river, distending their
abdomens with the stolen preserves and chocolate. Aragon and his men
fell upon the deserters without mercy. The former, battering away at
them with the stock of his gun, and the latter, exercising upon their
shoulders whatever they possessed in the way of lassoes, axe-handles
and sabre-blades, maintained the argument effectually for some time in
this way, and did not descend to questions until muscular fatigue
caused them to desist. The catechism subsequently put to the porters
elicited the reply, from the spokesman of the recusants, that they were
tired of being afraid of the wild Indians; that they objected to marching
into the dens of tigers; that, perceiving their rations diminished from
day to day, they had imagined the time not far distant when the same
would be withdrawn altogether. It was curious, as it seemed to Marcoy
when the argument was rehearsed to him presently, that the fellows
made no complaint of being footsore, overcharged with burdens or
conducted into paths too difficult for them. A lurking admiration for the
vigor with which, after all, they played their crushing part of beasts of
burden, procured them immunity from further punishment after their
return. Their bivouacs were simply watched on the succeeding nights
by Bolivian sentinels.
After a few minutes allowed the strayed sheep to rub their bruises, the
march was continued. The afternoon afforded a succession of the same
sandy riverbanks, dressed with reeds, false maize, calceolarias and
purple passion-flowers, and yielding for sole booty a brace of wild
black ducks, and an opossum holding in her pouch five saucy and
scolding little ones. The natural civet employed as a cosmetic by this
animal forbade the notion of using it for food, and it was thrown with
its family into the river, after being deprived of its glossy skin.
As evening approached, and as all eyes were exploring the banks for a
suitable camping-ground, a spacious and even beach was fixed upon as
offering all the requisite conveniences. It was agreed to halt there.
Attaining the locality, however, they were amazed to find all the traces
of a previous occupation. Several sheds, formed of bamboo hurdles set
up against the ground with sticks, like traps, were grouped together.
Under each was a hearth, a simple excavation, two feet across and a
few inches deep, and filled with ashes. A few arrows, feathers and rude

pieces of pottery were scattered around. They greeted these Indian
relics as Crusoe did the footprints of the savages. Nor was it more
reassuring to observe, among other callers like themselves who had left
their visiting-cards at the doors since the departure of the proprietors,
the sign-manual of jaguars and tapirs, whose footprints were plainly
visible on the gravel.
A close examination was made of every detail pertaining to the huts
and their accessories, and the interpreters were asked if it would be
prudent to encamp in a spot thus leased in advance. Pepe Garcia and
Aragon were of opinion that it would be better to pass the night there,
assuring their employers that there would be no danger in sleeping
among the teraphim of the savages, provided that nothing was touched
or displaced. Their motion was promptly adopted, to the great
discomfiture of the porters, who were poised on one foot ready for
flight. A salute of five shots was fired, with a vague intention of giving
any listeners the highest possible opinion of the white explorers as a
military power. An enormous fire was kindled, sentinels were posted,
and the party turned in, taking care, however, during the whole night to
close but one eye at a time.
[Illustration: "THEY GREETED THESE INDIAN RELICS AS
CRUSOE DID THE FOOTPRINTS OF THE SAVAGES."--P. 138.]
Day commenced to blush, when all ears were assaulted by a concerted
howl, proceeding from behind a bed of canes on the other side of the
river. "_Alerta! los Chunchos!_" cried the sentinel. The three words
produced a startling effect: the porters sprang up like frightened deer;
Mr. Marcoy grasped a sheaf of pencils and a box of water-colors with a
warlike air, and the colonel's lips were crisped into a singular smile,