through it, dashed off home.  Up to this time the local authorities had shown an interest in our work and a willingness to aid.  Calling the chief of police, I bade him and the teacher seek our subject and bring him back for the completion of the operation.  “But, sir,” said the chief of police, “suppose he does not wish to come?” “Why are you chief of police?” was my reply.  The teacher, who is himself a mestizo and despises the poor indians in his charge, was loud in his complaints.  He vigorously declared that what these people needed was a second Cortez, that they had never been properly conquered, and, with the chief of police, he started out for the new conquest.  After an hour or more of waiting, we saw them reappear with Florencito.  But humanity is ever loath to admit defeat.  As he passed us, he grumbled that he saw no good reason for such a fuss, as he had simply gone to eat his breakfast.

Having completed the work with this subject, we suggested that others should be brought, but met with a prompt refusal.  The judge and the chief of police both declared that the people did not wish to have busts made, and that they would bring no more.  In vain I suggested that a meeting of the townspeople should be called together in order that we might address them and explain the purpose of our visit.  It was impossible to move the officials.  Finally I told the judge that I should send a mounted messenger, who had accompanied us from the presidente, to Chilchota to report the failure of the town officials to do their duty.  He promptly declared that he was going to Chilchota himself to see the presidente in the matter.  Sure enough, when my messenger was ready, he had made his preparations, and the two departed together to present the different sides of the question.  Neither returned until we were through for the day.  During the afternoon we secured two more subjects, and by nightfall had three good busts as the result of the day’s labor.  Then we faced new difficulties.  Carriers could not be had for love nor money.  What was wanted were three men, one to carry each bust back to Chilchota, where we planned to spend the night.  Finally, after loss of time and temper, each of us shouldered a bust and rode back on horseback with our trophies.

We soon discovered that the eleven towns were in a ferment of excitement.  Most dreadful tales were rife with regard to us and our work.  Some asserted that we cut off heads and hung them up to dry; that in drying, they turned white.  Others reported that with knives, made for the purpose, we sliced off the ears of unfortunate indians, close to their heads.  Still others reported that we had a frightful instrument which was fitted into the nose, and by means of which we tore strips of flesh and skin from the face of the subject.  It was said, and quite likely truly, that they were arming in all the houses; that machetes, guns, pistols, and clubs were laid convenient to hand.