steamed out at full speed toward the broad ocean.


CHAPTER XI TRAVELING IN CHILI


THE native troops organized by Lord Glenarvan consisted of three men
and a boy. The captain of the muleteers was an Englishman, who had
become naturalized through twenty years' residence in the country.
He made a livelihood by letting out mules to travelers,
and leading them over the difficult passes of the Cordilleras,
after which he gave them in charge of a BAQUEANO, or Argentine guide,
to whom the route through the Pampas was perfectly familiar.
This Englishman had not so far forgotten his mother tongue among
mules and Indians that he could not converse with his countrymen,
and a lucky thing it was for them, as Lord Glenarvan found it far
easier to give orders than to see them executed, Paganel was still
unsuccessful in making himself understood.

The CATAPEZ, as he was called in Chilian, had two natives
called PEONS, and a boy about twelve years of age under him.
The PEONS took care of the baggage mules, and the boy led
the MADRINA, a young mare adorned with rattle and bells,
which walked in front, followed by ten mules.
The travelers rode seven of these, and the CATAPEZ another.
The remaining two carried provisions and a few bales of goods,
intended to secure the goodwill of the Caciques of the plain.
The PEONS walked, according to their usual habit.

Every arrangement had been made to insure safety and speed,