VI.
A HUMILIATING INCIDENT.
There was a night riot in the streets of Ilo, knives gleamed inruffian hands, curses and blasphemy fell from sodden lips. Shots werefired in the thick of the struggling mass, as the mob crowded infrenzy about some central figure. The crowd from behind pressedforward and Thompson and I were carried along by the crush ofhumanity, until of necessity we began to fight our way out. We hadpartially succeeded, when we were surrounded by soldiers. At sight ofthe soldiers the crowd began to disperse, but unfortunately for us itwas too late, besides we had nothing to do with the riot, and thoughtwe had nothing to fear.
The officer stepped up and placed Thompson and I under arrest. We weresearched, but no arms were found on us. However, we were marched awayto jail and our feet placed in iron bars, fastened with a heavy lock,which compelled us to lie on our backs.
The next morning an officer appeared and I notified him that I was aBritish subject, and resented such treatment. He told me that I washeld for attempted murder. Thompson was also under the same charge. AnItalian had been shot and would probably die. I demanded an immediatetrial. Several officers of the railway came and endeavored to set usfree, but their efforts were of no avail. There was no British consulnearer than Arica, about two days travel by steamer, and no means forcommunicating with him until the steamer arrived from the north.
Our prison was an old wooden structure, and only one guard was overus. The officer and his men had quarters some distance away. It wasour intention to ask the soldier on guard for a drink of water aboutmidnight, when Thompson would overpower him and take his keys. Asmall boat was to be in readiness at a certain place. Our plan was,after obtaining the keys, to put the soldier in the stocks and walkout, all of which could easily have been accomplished, as the soldierwas but a small ignorant half-breed Indian. It was Sunday night and wehad decided to put our plan in operation, when--imagine oursurprise--an officer informed us to get ready to take the train forMoquequa.
We were accompanied by an officer and six men. I asked the officerwhat the removal was for, and he said our trial was to be held and itwas necessary for us to be present. I asked permission to speak withthe engineer, which was given. I told him I dreaded being taken intothe interior, as we would be away from our friends, and begged himwhen we came to a certain grade along the line to increase the speedand I would jump off. I was familiar with that part of the country,knew I could secure a horse and go to Mollendo or Arequipa. I knewalso that the officer and his men had never been on a train, and itwould be impossible for them to give chase.
But we were again doomed to disappointment. The engineer feared tocarry out the plan and instead of increasing speed, went slower thanusual.
On our arrival at Moquequa we were marched through the streets, to mygreat humiliation, as I knew many people in the town. Numbers of themcame and offered their sympathy. To our great indignation we werethrown into a cell with six other prisoners convicted of murder, and amore ugly, villainous and desperate-looking lot of characters wouldhave been hard to find anywhere. No attention had been paid to myremonstrance, when an hour later a gentleman, whom I had favored,presented himself. After I told him the circumstances of our detentionhe said he would send a lawyer to defend us. In the meantime hearranged with a hotel keeper to send us regular meals, also mattressesand blankets.
The day following I had many visitors, some drawn by curiosity andothers by sympathy and good will. The latter were profuse in theirattentions. When a lawyer appeared, I related to him the details ofour arrest. I did the talking, as Thompson could not speak thelanguage, while I was becoming quite proficient in it. Upon leaving,the lawyer promised to have us free in eight days at most.
I passed away the dreary time pacing that prison cell. It was abouttwenty feet long and twelve feet wide, and contained nothing but stonewalls and floor, with a heavy iron-grated window which looked out onthe plaza. A bottle of wine came with each meal, instead of coffee,and I shared it with the criminals in our cell. In this way I soon wontheir good will, and as they had all been convicted of murder, theydid not hesitate to tell me of their horrible crimes.
There is no capital punishment in Peru. Sentence for life, in thatcountry, means about fifteen years, and seldom do they serve thatlength of time. Usually a revolution releases them. At such timesinsurgents invariably break open the prisons and liberate theconvicts, which happened to these prisoners a few months later. Wewere visited daily by my lawyer and finally were told that fourhundred dollars would be required for our liberation.
"Liberate us and I will give you the money," was my answer.
Next day I bid adieu to my undesirable residence and companions;Thompson had no money and I paid all. After purchasing new clothes andreceiving the congratulations of friends, we boarded the train forIlo. Mr. Hill returned from Lima that day and after learning of theindignities inflicted upon me, told his officials that they shouldhave notified the British consul and compelled the Peruvianauthorities to pay, instead of taking my money.
I returned to work in the shops, and three weeks afterward one of theoffice clerks came in breathless and told me I was to be arrestedagain along with Thompson. The papers would be down from Moquequathat night and tomorrow morning they would come for us.
I was furious when I realized that we were again facing punishment fora crime of which we were innocent and I determined to resist arrest,and leave Ilo.
I went to the office of the secretary of the railroad, and after along consultation, it was agreed to have three of Mr. Hill's besthorses in readiness at midnight. One of the hostlers was to accompanyus and when we reached Tambo, Thompson and I would take the train forArequipa.
I went to my room, packed my clothes, carefully loaded two revolversand placed my trunk and other articles of value in the hands of myfriends, with orders to send them to Arequipa after the sensation ofmy escape was over. After supper, to allay any suspicion theauthorities might have, I strolled along the wharf, went into abilliard hall and actually played a game of billiards with the captainof the guard, who I have no doubt had the order to arrest me in hispocket. Thompson had gone to his room. I followed thirty minuteslater, and at precisely twelve o'clock, I sallied out of the house bythe rear, and met Thompson at the agreed place on the beach.
The night was dark, and everything being in readiness, we mounted androde through the town dressed like natives. We soon gained the highwayleading to Tambo and after being well clear of Ilo, we put our horsesto their best. We rode the fifty-five miles to Tambo, over a ruggedand mountainous country and caught the train for Arequipa, arrivingthat night after an absence for me of two years.