Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A SETTLEMENT IN NORTHERN PERU
Somehow our presence did not seem to please, and particularly one fellow kept casting
nasty glances towards us, glances that said more than words could have done. When my com-
panion became aware of it he took offence, and soon the inevitable happened; both jumping
at each other like tigers. Some intervened and the two were separated, and then somebody
suggested going outside to fight it out. The Spaniard took off his coat and handed it to me,
and when we were outside the two started at each other. Owing to the darkness it was impos-
sible to see what was happening, but after some quick shuffling, wrestling, fierce growling
andmanyterribleoathstherewasapiercingshriek,andthenallwassilence,asilencethatwas
only broken by the heavy breathing of the two exhausted fighters. Presently I heard moans,
and then somebody struck a match. The Spaniard was standing over his opponent who was on
the ground, and upon striking another match we noticed that the man who lay writhing on the
ground had been stabbed in two places.
Only now did I begin to realise the seriousness of my situation, for here was I all alone
with the Spaniard, who after all was only a chance acquaintance, and the others were many,
andforallIknewtheymighttrytoavengetheirbadlywoundedfriend,whowasnowmoaning
and rolling over on the ground. Whenever I was in a town or in a more or less decent village
I never carried my firearms, for they were heavy, and the sight of them might offend people.
On this occasion I had come out unarmed, and fearing the worst I thought I would try to get
out of this ticklish situation by bluffing. I jumped on a low adobe wall that fenced off a field
and shouted that if anybody moved I would shoot. Obviously somebody had long ago advised
 
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