It would only draw upon them the suspicion of the Spaniards, and would set the authorities at the mine and the captain of the escort against them, and might prejudice the first report that would be sent down to Arica, concerning them.
During the first few days of their stay, the boys acted their parts with much internal amusement.

They pretended to be absolutely ignorant of civilized feeding, seized the meat raw and tore it with their fingers, sat upon the ground in preference to chairs, and in every way behaved as persons altogether ignorant of civilization.
Gradually, however, they permitted themselves to be taught, and delighted their entertainers by their docility and willingness.

The Spaniards were, indeed, somewhat surprised by the whiteness of their skin, where sheltered from the sun; and by the lightness of their hair and eyes.

The boys could hear many comments upon them, and wondering remarks why they should be so much fairer than their countrymen in general.

As, however, it was clearly useless to ask them, none of the Spaniards thought of doing so.
The end of the fortnight arrived and, under the charge of the escort, the lads set out, together with twenty mules laden with silver, for the coast.