XIII.
MURDEROUS PLAN OF THE INSURGENTS.
On my arrival at the manager's office, I found him in consultationwith the Prefecto of Arequipa and the General in command of theregular army. I was informed that another revolution was about to beattempted in Peru in favor of General Pierola.
The General said he had a valuable package which must be delivered tothe Prefecto of Puno, that in the event the package was captured itwould ruin all their plans. Would I undertake to deliver it for thegovernment? I turned to the general manager and, speaking to him inEnglish, said: "There is some mystery connected with this. Before Ipledge myself to do this, it will be necessary to have a clearunderstanding." He repeated my request to the General, who informed methat a secret message had come over the wires that a revolution hadbroken out again, and this time the insurgents had taken possession ofseveral points to prevent the government troops from reaching Puno;that the package I was to take was a notice to the Prefecto of Puno,for himself and those in favor of the government, to proceed to adesignated place, where the government troops would arrive, and marchby stages to Puno.
I realized the danger connected with this undertaking and accepted theresponsibility with some trepidation. A generous reward awaited me ifI succeeded, but it was understood in accepting the perilous message,no instructions were to be given me; that I was to use my own judgmentand, if danger threatened the package, to destroy it before it shouldbe captured.
The little Arequipena had long since been rebuilt, and I at onceproceeded to put her in readiness for the journey. Manuel, my fireman,was a native of Arequipa, a powerfully built and sturdy fellow. Hehad been much among the British and American railway men and couldunderstand English.
After leaving orders as to the time of starting, I called on anEnglish friend and confided my mission. I asked him, in event of mydeath, to write to my relatives in Scotland, giving the details. Hedid everything in his power to dissuade me, but I told him his talkwas idle. No use, I had made up my mind. Upon seeing the Arequipenaready, the men in the shops questioned me, but I evaded theirquestions.
I went to the office of the general manager and he gave me thepackage, unaddressed, done up securely, and sealed with red wax. Iplaced it in the inside pocket of my vest. The manager asked me to becareful with myself. He would much rather I should not go, but in mystate of mind, I was only too glad to get my thoughts off the sadremembrance of Felicita's fate.
I left Arequipa at ten o'clock that night, cautiously and silentlyleaving the station. I arrived at Puno the following evening and layover at Juliaca Junction a few hours. At this point the station masterasked me where I was going. I replied that I had orders for Puno.Leaving Juliaca, I arrived at Puno at exactly five o'clock. I blew thewhistle for the station. I noticed that it was crowded with people,but saw no one I would suspect of being a revolutionist. I put theengine in the shed, and then went and washed up. I hid the package ina secure place, where it was impossible for anyone to find it, as Ihad planned to go to the hotel, eat supper and then learn my chancesfor getting to the Prefecto, before I took the package from its hidingplace. The station of Puno, like all terminal stations of the Arequiparailway, was fenced in by corrugated iron, about eight feet high, andit was necessary to go through the station outlet, which was onlyopened on the arrival and departure of trains, or another outletguarded by a dog and night watchman. I went out by the small gate,familiarly bidding the watchman good evening. This gate only employeshad the right to use. I walked up town to the hotel Inca. I metseveral gentlemen who knew me and asked one to play a game ofbilliards before supper. No one seemed to think that my coming wasanything more than the usual routine of railway business.
After darkness, I lit a cigar and strolled down the street where thePrefecto lived. I observed the sentry at the front entrance and uponclose observation, I found that the rear of the house could beapproached by a little back street connecting with a small alleyway bymeans of which the house could be entered from the front.
I retraced my steps to the station but did not go near the gate. Iwent around to the engine shed, where an opening had been made by theboys so they could get to their rooms when out late nights and avoidanswering the questions of the watchman. When I reached theArequipena, the wipers were cleaning her. I spoke to the foreman, andgetting the package, went out the same way, no one noticing mydeparture. Then going through, the narrow street I went up the smallalley and, seeing no one, presented myself at the main entrance of thePrefecto's house. Here the sentry barred my passage and demanded thepassword. I told him to call the officer of the guard, and when heappeared I explained that I had important business with SenorPrefecto, and desired to see him personally.
"Who are you?"
"The Senor Prefecto will answer that question," I replied.
I had folded the package and hid it in the lining of my overcoat whichI had thrown over my arm. The officer withdrew for a few minutes, butsoon returned and allowed me to pass the sentry. Halting in front of alarge door, a signal was given and it was opened by another officer. Iwas ushered in, and from there into an adjoining room, where I wastold to wait.
Presently there came in a priest, then an officer with side arms, andlast Senor Prefecto, who asked me the nature of my business. I repliedthat I had a message for the Prefecto, which could be imparted to himalone. When my errand was communicated to him, he could do as hechose.
There was much hesitation before my request for a private audience wasgranted, but on being searched, overcoat and all, the Senor Prefectofinally agreed to see me alone. When the others had retired, I tookthe package from the lining of my overcoat and gave it to him.
I watched him closely as he read the contents. His face becameblanched, and his hands shook in abject fear, although nothing elsecould have been expected from him, as he was an arrant coward.
After reading the document, he called the others. He handed it to thepriest, who asked where I came from. I told him. Then he wanted toknow if anyone had seen me enter here, and whether the arrival of theArequipena was known. I told him I thought no one would pay anyattention to the arrival of the train but would consider it theordinary routine railway business. A consultation was held, and afterthey found that I knew the contents of the message I had brought, theyadmitted me to their council. They asked me to get the Arequipenaready, and they and the principal officers would flee to Arequipa. Itold them that such a course could not be pursued, as all thetelegraph offices were in the hands of the insurgents, and that ourdeparture would become known, the engine surrounded and all takenprisoners. They agreed it would be impossible to escape that way, anddecided that about midnight they would escape on horseback. Just thenan officer arrived and reported that the insurgents had takenpossession of the station, and two engines, one being the regularpassenger. One of the engine runners had been taken prisoner. Theirspy had reported that it was their intention to take both engines andseveral coaches loaded with soldiers and arms; also, large quantitiesof powder had been put on the Arequipena for the purpose of destroyingSumbay bridge--to prevent the passage of government troops.
I was forgotten for the time being, their fear for their own safetyoutweighing all other considerations. Another officer came in andbreathlessly added the climax. The regiment of regulars had joined theinsurgents!
I was now doing some rapid thinking. If Sumbay bridge was destroyedand the fact not known in Arequipa, the government troops would comealong and, with the engine crew, be hurled into eternity. The bridgebeing about one hundred and seventy-five feet high and six hundredfeet long and on a curve with deep cuts on either side and a heavydown grade, it would be impossible for any train to stop, unlesswarned beforehand.
This was the murderous scheme of the insurgents.
I learned it was the intention of the insurgents to proceed toVincocaya in the morning, destroy as they went along, the telegraphoffices, wait at Vincocaya until the arrival of the regular passengertrain from Arequipa and then proceed to Sumbay bridge
. They evidentlyhad calculated with a great deal of precision, and if their planscarried, victory would certainly be theirs.
All these things were filling me with apprehension. I knew I would becaptured, but how could I save the bridge? I was determined to try atall hazards.