Here we remained till the next day, being supplied with food by the people from Sama, who also procured for us about a dozen horses, two of which, I am thankful to say, fell to José and myself.
Most of the men, after eating and drinking, stretched themselves out on the grass, and were fast asleep in a moment; but our leader had much to do, and the cheery young doctor spent half his time in attending on the sick. In this José helped him. I wished to do so, but in truth the long march, and the want of food and water, had worn me out.
"Lie down and get some rest," said the doctor, "or you will be left behind to-morrow. We have another twelve leagues or so before us yet."
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"To a village called Tacna."
"We call it a town," laughed José. "Why, there are more than four thousand people living in it."
"Dear me," exclaimed the doctor good-humouredly, "what a considerable place!"
Attended by José, he passed on laughing, and I curled up in the sheltered nook which I had selected as bed and bedchamber in one. I know nothing of what happened after that until José, shaking my arm, told me to rise.
It was scarcely light; but the troops were already preparing their simple breakfast, for they had another long and tedious march before them.
"How do you feel, Jack?" asked José.