CHAPTER II.
JOAN.
The sordid clothes which covered the person of the Indian were stainedwith mud, and torn by thorns and briers. It was evident that he hadmade a hasty journey through woods and along bad roads. He bowed withmodest grace to the three gentlemen, and waited.
"Does not my brother belong to the valiant tribe of the BlackSerpents?" Don Tadeo asked.
The Indian made a sign in the affirmative. Don Tadeo was wellacquainted with the Indians, and knew that they only spoke whennecessity required.
"What is my brother's name?" he resumed.
"Joan," the Indian said; "in remembrance of a warrior of the palefaceswhom I killed."
"Good," Don Tadeo replied, with a melancholy smile; "my brother is achief renowned in his tribe."
Joan smiled haughtily.
"My brother has arrived from his village; he has, no doubt, business totransact with the palefaces."
"My father is mistaken," the Indian replied sharply; "Joan asks thehelp of no one; when he is insulted, his own lance avenges him."
"My brother will excuse me," Don Tadeo said; "he must have some reasonfor coming to me."
"I have one," said the Indian.
"Let my brother explain himself then."
"I will answer my father's questions." said Joan, bowing.
Don Tadeo knew what sort of man he had to do with. A secretpresentiment told him that he was the bearer of important news: he,therefore, followed up his questions.
"Whence does my brother come?"
"From the tolderia of San Miguel."
"That is some distance from the city; is it long since my brother leftit?"
"The moon was about to disappear and the Southern Cross alone shed itssplendid light upon the earth, when Joan commenced his journey."
It was nearly eighteen leagues from the village of San Miguel to thecity of Valdivia. Don Tadeo was astonished. He took from the table aglass, which he filled to the brim with aguardiente, and presented itto the messenger, saying--
"My brother will drink this coui of firewater; probably, the dust ofthe road sticking to his palate prevents him from speaking as easily ashe could wish."
The Indian smiled; his eyes sparkled greedily; he took the glass andemptied it at a draught.
"Good," he said, smacking his lips. "My father is hospitable; he istruly the Great Eagle of the Whites."
"Does my brother come from the chief of his tribe?" Don Tadeo continued.
"No." Joan replied; "it was Curumilla that sent me."
"Curumilla!" the three men cried.
Don Tadeo breathed more freely.
"Curumilla is my friend," he said; "no harm has happened to him, Ihope?"
"Here are his poncho and his hat," Joan replied.
"Heavens!" Louis exclaimed--"he is dead!"
"No," said the Indian, "Curumilla is brave and wise. Joan had carriedoff the young, pale, blue-eyed maiden; Curumilla might have killedJoan; he was not willing to do so; he preferred making a friend of him."
"Curumilla is good," Don Tadeo replied; "his heart is large and hissoul is not cruel."
"Joan was the chief of those who carried off the young whitegirl. Curumilla changed clothes with him," the Indian continued,sententiously; "and said 'Go and seek the Great Eagle of the Whites,and tell him that Curumilla will save the young maiden, or perish!'Joan has come."
"My brother has acted well," said Don Tadeo.
"My father is satisfied," he said--"that is enough."
"And my brother carried off the pale girl? Was he well paid for that?"
"The great _cavale_ with the black eyes is generous," the Indian said,smiling.
"Ah! I knew it!" cried Don Tadeo, "still that woman!--still that demon!"
Louis rose and said, in a voice trembling with emotion, "My friend,Dona Rosario must be saved!"
"Thanks, boundless thanks, for your devotion, my friend!" said DonTadeo; "but, you are very weak."
"Of what consequence is that!" the young man exclaimed eagerly. "Were Ito perish in the task, I swear to you, Don Tadeo de Leon, by the honourof my name, that I will not rest till Dona Rosario is free."
"My friend," Don Tadeo said, "three men--three devoted men, are alreadyon the trail of my daughter."
"Your daughter?" Louis said with astonishment.
"Alas! yes, my friend, my daughter! Why should I have any secrets fromyou? That blue-eyed angel is my daughter! the only joy left to me inthis world."
"Oh! we will recover her! We must!" Louis cried with great emotion.
"My friend," Don Tadeo continued, "the three men of whom I spoke toyou are at this moment endeavouring to deliver the poor child. Howeverdearly it costs me, I think it is best to wait."
Louis moved uneasily.
"Yes, I comprehend that this inaction is painful to you. Alas! do youthink it is less so to a father's heart? Don Louis, I endure frightfultorments. But I resign myself, while shedding tears of blood at notbeing able to do anything."
"That is true," the wounded man admitted; "we must wait, Poor Father!Poor daughter!"
"Yes," said Don Tadeo, faintly, "pity me, my friend, pity me!"
"But," the Frenchman continued, "this inactivity cannot last. You see Iam strong, I can walk."
"You are a hero as to heart and devotion," Don Tadeo said with a smile;"and I know not how to thank you."
"Oh! how much the better if you regain hope," cried Louis, who hadblushed at his friend's words.
Don Tadeo turned towards Joan.
"Does my brother remain here?" he asked.
"I am at my father's orders," the Indian replied.
"May I trust my brother?"
"Joan has but one heart and one life."
"My brother has spoken well; I will be grateful to him."
The Indian bowed.
"Let my brother return here on the third sun; he shall place us uponthe track of Curumilla."
"On the third sun Joan will be ready."
And saluting the three gentlemen gracefully, the Indian retired totake a few hours of a repose which his great exertions had renderednecessary.
The Pearl of the Andes: A Tale of Love and Adventure Page 2