The Treasure of the Incas

The Treasure of the Incas, by G. A. Henty

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Title: The Treasure of the Incas
Author: G. A. Henty
Release Date: December, 2004 [EBook #7070] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 5, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: Latin-1
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The Treasure of the Incas A Story of Adventure in Peru
BY G. A. HENTY

[Illustration: IT DID NOT TAKE LONG TO TRANSFER THE SACKS INTO THE BOAT Page 339]

PREFACE TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION
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.
G. A. HENTY.

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
XI. BRIGANDS
XII. PRISONERS
XIII. LETTERS FROM HOME
XIV. THE CASTLE OF THE DEMONS
XV. INVESTIGATIONS
XVI. THE SEARCH BEGINS
XVII. AT WORK
XVIII. DISAPPOINTMENT
XIX. THE TREASURE
XX. HOME

ILLUSTRATIONS
IT DID NOT TAKE LONG TO TRANSFER THE SACKS INTO THE BOAT.
AN INDIAN SPIES THE EXPEDITION.
THEY SAW APPROACHING A PEASANT WOMAN SITTING ON A MULE.
HARRY DROPPED THE BARREL OF HIS RIFLE INTO THE PALM OF HIS LEFT HAND.
Map of Peru
[Illustration: MAP OF PERU]

THE TREASURE OF THE INCAS
CHAPTER I
HOW IT CAME ABOUT
Two men were sitting in the smoking-room of a London club. The room was almost empty, and as they occupied arm-chairs in one corner of it, they were able to talk freely without fear of being overheard. One of them was a man of sixty, the other some five or six and twenty.
"I must do something," the younger man said, "for I have been kicking my heels about London since my ship was paid off two years ago. At first, of course, it didn't matter, for I have enough to live upon; but recently I have been fool enough to fall in love with a girl whose parents would never dream of allowing her to marry a half-pay lieutenant of the navy with no chance in the world of getting employed again, for I have no interest whatever."
"It is an awkward case certainly, Prendergast," the other said; "and upon my word, though I sympathize with you, I cannot blame Fortescue. He is not what you might call a genial man, but there is