CHAPTER XXII.
THE CACIQUE'S SCHEME.
Shortly before sunset we arrived at our halting-place for the night and point of departure for the morrow--a hollow in the hills, hemmed in by high rocks, almost circular in shape and about a quarter of a mile in diameter.

The air was motionless and the temperature mild, the ground covered with grass and shrubs and flowers, over which hovered clouds of bright-winged butterflies.

Low down in the hollow was a still and silent pool, and though, so far as I could make out, it had no exit, two large flat-bottomed boats and a couple of canoes were made fast to the side.
Hard by was a hut of sun-dried bricks, in which were slung three or four grass hammocks.
There was also fuel, so we were able to make a fire and have a good warming, of which we stood greatly in need.

But as nothing in the shape of food could be found, either on the premises or in the neighborhood, we had to go supperless to bed.
Before we turned in Gondocori let us into the secret of the scheme which was to propitiate Queen Mamcuna, and bring us honor and renown, instead of blame and (possibly) death.
"I shall tell her," said the cacique, "that though I have lost my braves and brought no maidens, I have brought two famous medicine-men, who come from over the seas." "Very good.

But how are we to keep up the character ?" "You must profess your ability to heal the sick and read the stars." "Nothing easier.