124 M. F. Castelnau’s Report of the 
serters who had fled thither, all fell in one night under the clubs of 
its savage inhabitants. Only one man had ever been known to enter 
those wild solitudes with impunity, M. Palacios, a citizen of Cuzco, 
who, after being sentenced to death,—in the course of one of those 
political revolutions which are so common in that quarter,—effected 
his escape, and, having nothing to lose, surrendered himself to the 
wild Indians. After many adventures among them he reached the 
river Amazon, and thus regained his liberty. . 
From the prefect of Cuzco I had a most cordial reception, his 
Excellency the President of the Republic having recommended the 
expedition to his attention in the most formal manner. ‘That func- 
tionary, himself a most intelligent person, was fully aware of what 
importance to his own country a knowledge of the tract lying to the 
east of the Cordilleras might prove; he knew that the deep valleys 
that traverse it are almost the only fertile parts of Peru, and that 
their rich produce is at present of no use from want of the means of 
transport. Accordingly, he organized the expedition in the most 
ample manner, Sixty mules laden with provisions, cordage, and 
other articles required for passing torrents and precipices, soon, 
thanks to his care, were on the road to the valley of Santa Anna. 
Our party consisted of Messrs D’Osery, Deville, and myself. To 
these the Peruvian government had added the frigate-captain Ca- 
rasco, and three other officers. Sixteen soldiers were to escort the 
expedition as far as the point of embarkation. As these soldiers 
were known to hold the very idea of entering the Pampa in the 
greatest horror, some officers were sent along with them to keep up 
their spirits, as well as command them. Finally, I must not forget 
my faithful Malay servant, Florentino, who has rendered me such 
valuable services during this severe campaign. 
The prefect of Cuzco, accompanied by a numerous staff, and many 
of the city’s inhabitants, among whom there was a fellow-countryman 
of my own, convoyed us so far on the 21st of July 1846. They 
parted from us with unaffected grief, thinking our doom was sealed. 
We slept that night at Urumbamba, and arrived next day at 
Olianty-Tambo, the ancient seat of a warrior famous in that district 
for having raised the standard of revolt against the powerful Inca of 
Cuzco. Ruins that called forth our wonder were seen stretching 
afar into the valley. The fortress, which is constructed of stones of 
prodigious size, crowns a hill-top overlooking the town, right in 
front of which there rises a very steep hill; and, on its side, an 
ancient building is seen overhanging a tremendous precipice, over 
which, as chronicles relate, the tyrant used to toss his enemies,—a 
tale rendered probable by the numerous skeletons that lie scattered 
at the foot. 
The route we now followed was singularly picturesque, lying among 
the spurs of the great chain of the Andes. Here we traversed pri- 
meeval forests, and found the soil everywhere rent by water-courses, 
