The American papers state that the " Incas' treasure "
has been discovered at Chayaltaya, a place in Bolivia, where a party of American engineers have unearthed about £3,000,000. The discovery was accidental. The story requires verification, but it is based on one of the few legends about buried treasure which are probably true. The last Inca of Peru certainly told Pizarro that he possessed a great store of gold, and he had every motive to tell the truth, for he hoped the gold would preserve his life. A large sum was received by Pizarro, who, of course, broke his promise, but the Spaniards were certain that much remained. The refusal of the Peruvians to reveal the secret after the murder of their Inca was per- featly natural, and they may have kept it for the centuries which have elapsed in the hope of using it in the great native rising of which they are believed to dream. That the Incas had in their long domination accumulated large stores of gold seems proved, for they were using much in their palaces, and gave much to the Spaniards. The odd thing is that, although South America and Mexico have been in white hands for more than three centuries and a half, their mineral treasures have never been thoroughly exploited.
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