The Treasure of the Incas | Page 8

fever for six weeks in a native hut, and during that
time I would have given pretty nearly all that I was worth for the sight
of a white face and the sound of an English voice. As to the fact that it
is possible that the lad might catch fever, or be killed in an affray with
natives, that must, of course, be faced; but as a sailor he runs the risk of
shipwreck, or of being washed overboard, or killed by a falling spar.
Everything considered, I think the idea of his going with you is a good
one. I don't suppose that many guardians would be of the same opinion,
but I have been so many years knocking about in one part of the world
or another, that I don't look at things in the same light as men who have
never been out of England."
"I am glad you see it in that way, sir. I own that it would be a great
satisfaction to have him with me. He certainly would be a cheery
companion, and I should say that he is as hard as nails, and can stand as
much fatigue and hardship as myself. Besides, there is no doubt that in
case of any trouble two men are better than one."
"I cannot advance any money out of the thousand pounds that will
come to him when he is of age. By your father's will it was ordered that,
in the event of his own death before that time, the interest was to
accumulate. Your father foresaw that, like you, probably Bertie would
take to the sea, and as the amount would be fully two thousand pounds
by the time he comes of age, it would enable him to buy a share in any
ship that he might, when he passed his last examination, command; but
I will myself draw a cheque for a hundred pounds, which will help

towards meeting expenses. I feel myself to some extent responsible for
this expedition. I somewhat regret now having ever spoken to you on
the subject, for I cannot conceal from myself that the chance of your
making a discovery, where the Spaniards, with all their power of
putting pressure on the natives for the past two or three hundred years,
have failed, is so slight as to be scarcely worth consideration.
"I tell you frankly that I broached the subject chiefly because I thought
it was much better for you to be doing something than kicking your
heels about London, and mooning over this affair with Miss Fortescue.
There is nothing worse for a young man than living in London with just
enough to keep him comfortably without the necessity of working.
Therefore I thought you would be far better travelling and hunting for
treasure in Peru, than staying here. Even if you fail, as I feel is almost
certain, in the object for which you go out, you will have plenty to
occupy your thoughts, and not be dwelling continually upon an
attachment which in all probability will not turn out satisfactorily. I do
not suppose that you are likely to forget Miss Fortescue, but by the time
you return you will have accustomed yourself to the thought that it is
useless to cry for the moon, and that, after all, life may be very
endurable even if she does not share it. Therefore I propounded this
Peruvian adventure, feeling sure that, whatever came of it, it would be a
benefit to you."
"No doubt it will, sir. I see myself the chance of success is small indeed,
but there is none at all in any other way. It is just the sort of thing I
should like, and I quite feel myself that it would be good for me to have
plenty to think about; and now that you have consented to Bertie's
going with me, I feel more eager than before to undertake the
expedition. The place is in rather a disturbed state, isn't it?"
"If you are going to wait until Peru ceases to be in a disturbed state,
Harry, you may wait another hundred years. The Spanish rule was bad,
but Peru was then a pleasant place to live in compared with what it is
now. It is a sort of cock-pit, where a succession of ambitious rascals
struggle for the spoils, and the moment one gets the better of his rivals
fresh intrigues are set on foot, and fresh rebellions break out. There are

good Peruvians--men who have estates and live upon them, and who
are good masters. But as to the politicians, there is no principle
whatever at stake. It is simply a question of who shall have the
handling of the national revenue, and divide it and the