CHAPTER 15: The Prison of the Inquisition.
Among the spectators on the mole were the governor and other principal officers of Arica.
"It seems almost like a miracle from heaven," the priest, who was standing next the governor, exclaimed.
The governor was scowling angrily at the boat.
"If there be a miracle," he said, "good father, it is that our eyes have been blinded so long.

Think you, for a moment, that two lads who have been brought up among the Indians, from their childhood, could manage a boat in such a sea as this?
Why, if their story were true they could, neither of them, ever have handled an oar; and these are sailors, skillful and daring beyond the common, and have ventured a feat that none of our people here on shore were willing to undertake.

How they got here I know not, but assuredly they are English sailors.

This will account for their blue eyes and light hair, which have so puzzled us; and for that ignorance of Spanish, which they so craftily accounted for." Although the assembled mass of people on the beach had not arrived at the conclusions to which the governor had jumped, they were filled with astonishment and admiration at the daring deed which had been accomplished; and when the boat was safely brought round behind the shelter of the rock, and its occupants landed on the shore, loud cheers broke from the crowd; and the lads received a perfect ovation, their comrades of the barracks being especially enthusiastic.

Presently the crowd were severed by two soldiers, who made their way through it and, approaching Ned and Tom, said: "We have the orders of the governor to bring you to him." The lads supposed that the governor desired to thank them, for saving the lives of the shipwrecked men; for in the excitement of the rescue, the thought that they had exposed themselves by their knowledge of seamanship had never crossed their minds.