There was, moreover, nobody to whom I could appeal for counsel or help.  Gondocori thought me the most fortunate of men, and was quite incapable of understanding my scruples.  Gahra, albeit willing to go with me, knew no more of the country than I did, and there was not a man in it who could have been induced even by a bribe either to act as my guide or otherwise connive at my escape; and I had no inducement to offer.

Nevertheless, the opportunity I was looking for came, as opportunities often do come, spontaneously and unexpectedly, yet in shape so questionable that it was open to doubt whether, if I accepted it, my second condition would not be worse than my first.

CHAPTER XXIV.

IN THE TOILS.

Five days after I had been wooed by the irresistible Mamcuna, and as I was beginning to fear that I should have to marry her first and run away afterward, I chanced to be riding in the neighborhood of the village, when a woman darted out of the thicket and, standing before my horse, held up her arms imploringly.  I had never spoken to her, but I knew her as the white wife of one of the caciques.

“Save me, senor!” she exclaimed, “for the love of heaven and in the name of our common Christianity, I implore you to save me!”

“From what?”

“From my wretched life, from despair, degradation, and death.”  And then she told me that, while travelling in the mountains with her husband, a certain Senor de la Vega, and several friends, they were set upon by a band of Pachatupecs who, after killing all the male members of the party, carried her off and brought her to Pachacamac, where she had been compelled to become one of the wives of the cacique Chimu, and that between his brutality and the jealousy of the other women, her life, apart from its ignominy, was so utterly wretched that, unless she could escape, she must either go mad or be driven to commit suicide.

“I should be only too glad to rescue you if I could.  I want to escape myself; but how?  I see no way.”

“It is not so difficult as you think, senor; if we can get horses and a few hours’ start, I will act as guide and lead you to a civilized settlement, where we shall be safe from pursuit.  I know the country well.”

“Are you quite sure you can do this, senora?  It will be a hazardous enterprise, remember.”

“Quite sure.”

“And you are prepared to incur the risk?”

“I will run any risk rather than stay where I am.”

“Very well, I will see what can be done.  Meet me here to-morrow at this hour.  And now, we had better separate; if we are seen together it will be bad for both of us. Hasta manana.”

And then she went her way and I went mine.