CHAP. IV. THE ROBBER OF CHUQUIPOQUIO. 89 



entries. A number of things were put down that had not been 

 supplied, and the total was made to amount to considerably 

 more than the proper addition of the items. These matters were 

 explained through Perring to the major-domo, who took the 

 account away, and kept us locked up. 



After waiting more than an hour it came out that Senor 

 Chiriboga, our worthy host (who had travelled all the way 

 from Riobamba '^to supply our needs, to watch over and care 

 for us"^), was stowed away in a remote corner of the establish- 

 ment, and had been there during the whole of our stay — in 

 bed. I found the possible Marquis stretched out in a miserable 

 den, in an advanced state of intoxication, with a bottle of spirits 

 and a wine-glass on a chair by his side. He was made to 

 understand that there might be trouble if he continued to 

 detain my people, and after some parleying they were set free. 

 I then wasted a half-hour in discussion with the drunken man, 

 who evaded answers, and, sometimes addressing me as ' Your 

 Excellency^ and sometimes as ^ Doctor,^ kept on saying it was 

 ^ all right,' and that his servant would see to it ; while the 

 wretched slave (who had no doubt acted under orders) declared 

 that he had followed instructions. '" Right, your Excellency, ''' 

 said the landlord, "quite right, my servant will see to it." 

 "You hear what your master says, — you are to do what is 

 right." " My master told me to make out the bill in that 

 way," replied the major-domo. " You hear what your servant 

 says, Sefior Chiriboga." "Quite right, Doctor — take a drink; 

 yes, it is all right, my servant will do what is right." The 

 keys might have been obtained by force, but such a procedure 

 would most likely have given rise to prejudicial rumours. Of 

 the two evils I thought it was best to be swindled. I paid the 

 entire amount, under protest, and was then unlocked and joined 

 my people, who had halted about a mile away, wondering at 

 our non-appearance. 



The road that we took to Ambato is almost the only one 



N 



