The next morning, before returning to Callao, we rode out to visit the ruins of an Inca town, situated on a hill forming one side of a fertile and well-irrigated valley.  The walls of the houses were built of unburnt brick and mud, carefully constructed at right angles to each other, and very thick--indeed, they put us in mind of some of the pictures we had seen of Egyptian architecture.  We were surprised to hear of the great number of Indians who still exist in the country. Under the present government they live happy and contented lives among the lovely valleys of their ancestors.  Their huts are generally built of stone and covered with red tiles, creepers being trained to trail over the walls, over which often a huge pumpkin is seen to hang, while a prickly cactus stands as a sentinel at the doorway.  The dress of the men is a serge coat of an emerald green colour, without a collar, and with a short skirt; loose black breeches, open at the knee, after the Spanish fashion; and a long red waistcoat with large pockets.  Pieces of llamas' hide fastened round the feet serve them for shoes, while their legs are stockingless.  On their heads they wear broad-brimmed hats or caps, adorned with gold-lace or ribbons of gay colours.  The women wear the same hat as the men, with a mantle over the shoulder secured in front by a silver pin; a red bodice, and a blue petticoat reaching a little below the knee.  Altogether they present a very picturesque appearance.  We made another very interesting excursion in a canal up a river--or a stream rather, for it was very narrow--but what we were most struck with was the richness of the vegetation, the bark, reeds, and trees, and shrubs of all sorts which grew close to the water.  What was remarkable were the palm-trees, which shot up above the other trees-- themselves of no inconsiderable growth.  We were sorry not to be able to spend a longer time on the river.  It put us very much in mind of the scenery of the Amazon.  We saw enough of the country to make us long to see more of it, but were obliged to hurry back to the railway-station to get to Callao, once more to embark on board the _Triton_.