Our schooner, the “Felicidade,” had a rapid passage to Rio de Janeiro. I cannot stop to describe that city, which has now become the capital of an empire. Indeed I saw very little of it. Nor can I picture its magnificent harbour, large enough to hold all the navies in the world. My first care, on going on shore, was to learn what ships were about to start for Europe. I found that one was sailing the very next morning. Ned, on hearing this, said he would go on board and look at the craft, while Pedro and I waited for him on the quay. He soon came back, and said that the “Susan” was a fine large brig; that he liked her appearance, and as she was short of hands he had engaged for the passage home at good wages. There was, he understood, an English family going home in her; but as she would have room for two more passengers, he advised me to return with him to secure berths for Pedro and myself. We, accordingly, forthwith went on board.
“Your name, sir,” said the master, when I told him my object.
“David Rexton,” I replied.
“Rexton! that is very extraordinary,” he replied. “Why, that is the name of my other passengers.”
Oh! how my heart beat with strange, wild, fearful, yet hopeful emotions at these words. I should have fallen on the deck, had not the kind-hearted man supported me.
“Where are they?” I at length found words to say.
“In the cabin at this moment,” he replied. “But stay, I have heard much about them, and suspect who you are. Do you go forward with my mate there, and stay quiet for a little time; while I go and prepare them for your appearance. By-and-by we will introduce your friend here, and he can tell them he has seen you alive and well.”
I put myself under the good master’s directions; and I need scarcely say that Heaven had mercifully preserved my beloved parents, and thought fit to re-unite me to them. The very night the village, where they had taken refuge, was attacked, the faithful Ithulpo had warned them in time to enable them to fly to the mountains, where they had concealed themselves in the hut of an aged Indian. Ithulpo had, unfortunately, quitted them, to look for some of their horses; and they had seen no more of him. From the hut of the Indian, after a detention of some weeks, they succeeded in reaching the coast, and getting on board a merchantman, engaged in smuggling. She directly afterwards sailed; and rounding Cape Horn, they put into the magnificent harbour of Rio de Janeiro, for water and provisions. Here my father found that the affairs of a branch of their house would much benefit by his presence. He accordingly had remained, till I so fortunately arrived.
We finally reached England in safety. Ned refused to touch any of the gold given to us by Manco; and I, feeling that I could do no less than follow the noble fellow’s generous example, devoted it to the service of Pedro, who was thus enabled to obtain the best education England could afford. Some years afterwards he went to Peru, and succeeded in recovering the larger portion of his father’s property. He fought in the War of Independence, when his native country threw off the yoke of Spain; but deeply disappointed in the result of that struggle, he lived in retirement on his estate, devoting himself to doing good to the surrounding population.
He wrote me word that he had made every inquiry for Manco, but could hear nothing of him. The Inca noble probably perceived that the War of Independence could do little to ameliorate the condition of his people, and refused to leave his retreat.