The Rover of the Andes | Page 6

know where. All I know is that he once mentioned
casually in one of his letters that he was going to Buenos Ayres, where
he had some property."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Pedro. "Come, that may help you to decide, for I
am myself going to Buenos Ayres, and can guide you there if disposed
to go. Only, you will have to make up your mind to a pretty long and
hard journey, for duty requires me to go by a devious route. You must
know," he continued, lighting another cigarette, "that I am pledged to
take that girl to her father, who lives not far from Buenos Ayres."

He pointed as he spoke to Manuela, who, having laid her head on her
saddle, appeared to have fallen asleep.
"Her father must be a chief, I should think, to judge from her dignified,
graceful carriage, as well as her fine features," said Lawrence in a low
tone.
"Yes, he is a chief--a great chief," returned Pedro, gazing at his
cigarette in a meditative mood--"a very great chief. You see, she
happened to be living with friends on the western side of the mountains
when this war between Chili and Peru broke out, and her father
naturally wants to get her out of danger. The old chief once saved my
life, so, you see, I am bound both by duty and gratitude to rescue his
daughter."
"Indeed you are, and a pleasant duty it must be," returned Lawrence
with an approving nod; "but don't you think it might have been wise to
have rescued some other female, a domestic for instance, to keep her
company? The poor girl will feel very lonely on such a long journey as
you speak of."
Pedro again looked musingly at his cigarette, and flipped off the ash
with his little finger.
"You have not had much experience of war, young man," he said, "if
you think that in cases of rescue men can always arrange things
comfortably, and according to the rules of propriety. When towns and
villages are in flames, when plunder and rapine run riot everywhere,
and little children are spitted on the bayonets of patriots, as is often the
case even in what men have agreed to term civilised warfare, one is
glad to escape with the skin of one's teeth. Yet I was not as regardless
of Manuela's comfort as you seem to think. A poor woman who had
nursed her when a child volunteered to accompany us, and continued
with us on the first part of our journey; but the exertion, as I had feared,
was too much for her. She caught a fever and died, so that we were
forced to come on alone. If you join us, however, I shall be greatly
pleased, for two can always make a better fight than one, and in these
unsettled times there is no saying what we may fall in with in crossing

the mountains."
"But why expose the poor girl to such risks?" asked Lawrence. "Surely
there must be some place of safety nearer than Buenos Ayres, to which
you might conduct her?"
"Senhor Armstrong," replied the man, with a return of his stern
expression, "I have told you that my business is urgent. Not even the
rescue of my old friend's daughter can turn me aside from it. When
Manuela begged me to take her with me, I pointed out the difficulties
and dangers of the route, and the necessity for my pursuing a long and
devious course, but she said she feared to remain where she was; that,
being young, strong, and accustomed to an active life, she felt sure she
was equal to the journey; that she could trust me, and that she knew her
father would approve of her taking the step. I agreed, with some
hesitation. It turned out that the girl was right in her fears, for before we
left the town it was attacked by the troops of Chili. The Peruvians made
but a poor resistance, and it was carried by assault. When I saw that all
hope of saving the place was gone, I managed to bring Manuela and her
nurse away in safety. As I have told you, the nurse died, and now--here
we are alone. Manuela chooses to run the risk. I will not turn aside
from my duty. If you choose to join us, the girl will be safer--at least
until we cross the mountains. On the other side I shall be joined by
friends, if need be."
Pedro ceased, and rekindled his cigarette, which had gone out during
the explanation.
"I will go with you," said Lawrence, with decision, as he extended his
hand.
"Good," replied Pedro, grasping it with a hearty squeeze; "now I shall
have no fears for our little