To escape with Desiree
was possible--but then what? We knew by experience what it meant
to wander hopelessly about in the darkness of those desolate
caverns, without food, and depending on Providence for water.
Neither of us cared to repeat that trial, especially with the
added difficulty of a woman to care for. But what to do?
We decided to wait for the future, and in the mean time lay in a
supply of provisions, and, if possible, devise some sort of
weapons.
It is worth remarking here that the Incas, so far as we had seen,
used no weapons whatever. This was most probably the result of
their total isolation and consequent freedom from foreign
hostility.
In the matter of food we were soon to receive an agreeable
surprise. It was about an hour after Desiree had left us that the
royal steward--I give him the title on my own responsibility--
arrived, with pots and pans on a huge tray.
In the first place, the pots and pans were of solid gold. Harry
stared in amazement as they were placed in brilliant array on one
of the stone tables; and when we essayed to lift the empty tray
from another table on which it had been placed we understood why
the steward had found it necessary to bring four assistants along
as cup-bearers.
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