The tribe to which they had been sent was on the point of holding a grand council, the feast of mare's flesh was ready, and the dance prepared: in the morning the ambassadors were to have returned to the Cordillera.

They were remarkably fine men, very fair, above six feet high, and all under thirty years of age.

The three survivors of course possessed very valuable information and to extort this they were placed in a line.

The two first being questioned, answered, "No s," (I do not know), and were one after the other shot.

The third also said "No s,;" adding, "Fire, I am a man, and can die!" Not one syllable would they breathe to injure the united cause of their country! The conduct of the above-mentioned cacique was very different; he saved his life by betraying the intended plan of warfare, and the point of union in the Andes.