Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/165

Rh populace, at once saw that the town was in a state of dangerous effervescence.

Of all the towns in Peru, Canete is perhaps the one which shows most markedly that strange admixture of the new and old. Factory chimneys tower to the sky side by side with Inca aqueducts which to this day bring the water of the Rio Canete to the surrounding plantations. Just above the town are still the remains of the huge native fortress demolished some two hundred years ago by the then viceroy of Mandelova when he needed materials for the defenses of Callao. Natividad's first visit was to the corregidor, who told him that the town was celebrating Garcia's victories. It was now certain that the rebels had captured Cuzco, and routed the Federal forces. Natividad then told him of the plight of the Marquis de la Torre's children. The Mayor was skeptical, and showed it. Indians committing such a crime, he said, would never have dared pass through a town.

"They could not stop in the Sierra," said Natividad, "and had to make for somewhere. Perhaps they intend taking boat, and reaching Arequipa by sea. They could get up into the Cuzco that way."

"That is more than possible," replied the corregidor, anxious to rid himself of the