to Estevan and Nicosia after toilsome marches and conflicts, followed the entrance into Cuzco. Estevan had noticed that the spirits of Nicosia were drooping. Hardship, excitement, and bloodshed were too much for his young and tender nerves; he gave way to nervous prostration, and for days was unable to leave his cot. While the soldiers were gambling away their share of the booty, Estevan remained at the side of his young friend to nurse him back to health. One day when Nicosia was convalescent, De Soto came to the apartment.

"I have news for you," said the cavalier. "Manco is to be crowned on the day after to-morrow." "And become another tool in the hands of Pizarro," put in Estevan.

I have become so

"You speak truly, Estevan. thoroughly disgusted with the perfidious conduct of Pizarro, that I have resolved to quit Peru and return to Spain.”

"You have some object in view, De Soto?"

"I will admit that I have. With Pizarro we have both won gold; but perhaps we have incurred the ill will of the general by stubbornly opposing his inhumanity. Why may not we lead the hosts of Spain to new conquests as well as Pizarro? do not mean to usurp his power; but there are other fields as rich or perhaps richer than Peru or Mexico."

I

"Where?"

"Have you not heard of Florida, discovered by Ponce de Leon nearly twenty years ago, and which Panfilo de Narvaez sought to conquer, but failed?"

“Yes; but neither found cities nor gold in large quantities.'

"But a soldier under Narvaez said they heard of a vast hill of pure gold. That hill or mountain in the north is worth more than Mexico or Peru. I shall leave the army as soon as practicable, hasten to Spain, and, with my wealth and influence, procure a commission to conquer that part of the new world called Florida. I want to be an explorer, a conqueror, and a colonizer. It is to the north and not the south of the New World that all Europe will one day turn their eyes."

"May I go with you, De Soto?" asked Estevan. "You shall."

"And I too?" put in Nicosia.

"Alas, poor boy, have you not already had enough of hardship and toil?"

"If

he goes, I also will go," was Nicosia's answer. "It shall be as you say."

For a moment Estevan was silent, his eyes fixed on the strange youth; then, turning to De Soto, he said, "De Soto, I have one favor to ask. When you go to Spain, intercede for me that the hatred

of Velasquez may no longer keep me from those I love in Cuba."

Nicosia started up from his seat and clasped his hand over his heart, as if in pain. Both gazed after him as he averted his face and left the apartment. De Soto promised to intercede for Estevan; but his mind recurred to the Indian youth.

"He is no Indian; dark as is his skin, I believe there flows the purest Castilian blood in his veins.” "He is a mystery," Estevan answered.

They were, at this point of their conversation, interrupted by wild yells and rejoicings. On looking out to determine the cause, they discovered that the natives were making all the hubbub over the announcement that Manco, the legitimate son of Huana Capac, was to be crowned Inca.

"Everything will be done to maintain the illusion with the Indian population," remarked De Soto, as he viewed their antics of joy. "Poor fools, they are only tightening the shackles about their wrists."

The young prince kept the prescribed fasts and vigils; and on the appointed day the nobles, people, and all the Spanish soldiery assembled in the great square to witness the concluding ceremonies.

"What hollow mockery!" thought Estevan, as Father Valverde performed mass, and gave to Manco Capac the fringed diadem of Peru. The Indian

lords now tendered their obeisance in the customary form, after which the royal notary read aloud the instrument asserting the supremacy of the Castilian crown, and requiring the homage of all present to its authority, which ceremony was performed by Inca and nobles, each waving the royal banner twice or thrice with his hands. Manco next pledged the Spanish commander in a golden goblet of sparkling chicha, and the trumpets announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

There followed another, far more interesting to Estevan on account of its novelty. The accession of the young monarch was greeted with all the usual fêtes and rejoicings. The mummies of his royal ancestors, with such ornaments as were still left them, were paraded in the great square or plaza de royal. They were attended each by his numerous retinue, who performed all the menial offices, as if the object of them were alive and could feel their import. Each ghastly form was seated at the banquet-table—now, alas, stripped of the magnificent service with which it was wont to blaze at these high festivities-and the guests drank deep to the illustrious dead. Dancing succeeded the banquet, and the festivities, prolonged to a late hour, were continued night after night by the giddy population, as if their conquerors were not entrenched in the capital.

With the seizure of Cuzco and the coronation of Manco, the subjugation of Peru was practically completed. That determined old warrior, Quizquiz, and a few followers continued to hold out in the mountains. Almagro, with a force in which were Estevan and Nicosia, was sent to disperse them.

Near Xauxa a terrible battle was fought, in which the Indians were routed and the brave old Quizquiz slain by his own warriors, which put an end to further resistance. During the hottest of the fight Estevan, with visor down and lance couched, charged into the thickest of the conflict, Nicosia riding at his side.

Suddenly the youth's light charger was seen to rear in the air, and Estevan heard a wild shriek, which, now undisguised, had to him a familiar sound. Nicosia's horse dropped dead, and he fell heavily on the ground. His casque, becoming loose, rolled from his head. In a moment Estevan dismounted and raised the insensible youth in his arms. The wave of battle swept on and left him alone with the insensible lad. He carried him to a brooklet, bathed his face, took off his breast-plate and tore open the doublette to give him air. Then he started back with a cry of astonishment.

Nicosia was a woman.

Estevan had always noticed something familiar in the manner and voice of the lad; but the shorn