CHAPTER XXI.
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
As soon as the Chilians had evacuated the rock, Antinahuel turned withan air of ill-humour towards General Bustamente.
"I have done as my brother desired," he said; "what more does he wish?"
"Nothing at present, chief, unless you, on your part, consent also todepart."
"My brother is right; we are no longer of any use."
"Absolutely none; but since, henceforward, we are free to act as weplease, if agreeable to my brother we will go to the council lodge."
"Good!" the Toqui replied, following with a malevolent glance the lastranks of the Chilian soldiers.
The general placed his hand resolutely on his shoulder, at which theToqui turned sharply round.
"What does the white chief want?" he asked.
"To tell you this, chief," the general replied, coolly; "of whatconsequence are thirty men, when you can immolate thousands? Whatyou have done today is the height of policy. By sending away thesesoldiers, you appear to accept your defeat, and renounce, as feelingyourself too weak, all hopes of vengeance."
The brow of the chief expanded, and his look became less savage.
"Yes," he murmured, as if speaking to himself, "there is truth in whatmy brother says; in war we must often abandon a hen to obtain a horseafterwards. Let us go to the council lodge."
Antinahuel and the general, followed by Black Stag, returned to thetoldo.
"That young man who presented himself here possesses a great heart,"Antinahuel said, looking at Don Pancho; "my brother, doubtless knowshim?"
"On my word no," the general remarked; "I saw him this morning for thefirst time; he is one of those vagabonds from Europe who come to rob usof our wealth."
"No; that young man is a chief."
"Hum I you seem interested about him."
"Yes; as we are naturally interested in a brave man. I should be happyto meet him again."
"Unfortunately," the general said, "that is not very probable."
"Who knows?" the chief observed in a pensive tone, "but let my brotherlisten; a Toqui is going to speak."
"I listen," the general replied.
"Whilst that young man was here," Antinahuel resumed impassively, "Iexamined him attentively; when he did not think my brother was lookingat him, he cast strange glances at him."
"I do not know him, I tell you, chief," the general replied; "andsuppose he should be my enemy?"
"An enemy should never be despised," said Antinahuel; "the meanestare often the most dangerous. But let us return to the subject of ourmeeting: what are my brother's present intentions?"
"Listen to me in your turn, chief; we are henceforward bound to eachother by our common interests. I am convinced that if we mutually aideach other, and support each other frankly and loyally, we shall obtainmagnificent results."
"Good! my brother will explain his views."
"I will not beat about the bush; this is the treaty I propose to you:help me frankly in recovering the power I have lost--give me the meansof avenging myself on my enemies, and I will abandon to you for ever,in full proprietorship, not only the entire province of Valdivia, but,still further, that of Concepcion as far as Talca."
At this magnificent offer the countenance of Antinahuel did not betraythe least trace of emotion.
"My brother," said he; "gives what is not his."
"That is true," the general replied, curtly; "but I shall have it ifyou assist me, and without me you will never have it."
The chief slightly knitted his brow; the general feigned not toperceive it, but continued--
"It is for you to take it or leave it, chief; time passes."
The matter being put to him so shortly, the Toqui reflected a minute,then turned towards the general.
"Who will guarantee the execution of my brother's promise?" he said,looking him full in the face.
"Let my brother name what guarantee he demands," said the general.
"A smile of undefinable expression curled Antinahuels lips. He made asign to Black Stag, who rose and left the tent."
"Let my brother wait a moment," said the Toqui.
The general bowed without replying. At the end of a few minutes BlackStag returned, followed by an Araucano warrior bearing a kind ofrickety table, hastily knocked together, of badly-jointed pieces ofwood. Upon this table the Toqui silently placed paper, pens, and ink.
"The palefaces," he said, "possess much learning; they know more thanwe poor ignorant Indians do; my brother knows that. I have been amongthe whites, and have seen many of their customs; let my brother takethis pen, and let him repeat to me there," he added, "what he has justsaid to me; then, as I shall keep his words, the wind will not be ableto carry them away."
The general seized the pen, and dipped it in the ink.
"Since my brother mistrusts my words," he said, in a tone of pique, "Iam ready to do what he desires."
"My brother has ill-understood my words," Antinahuel replied, "I havethe greatest confidence in him, I in no way mean to offend him; only Irepresent my nation."
Don Pancho saw there remained no subterfuge by which he could escape.Turning towards Antinahuel, therefore, he said with a smile--
"So be it! My brother is right; I will do what he desires."
The Toqui bowed gravely, the general placed the paper before him, wrotea few lines rapidly, and signed them.
"There, chief," he said, presenting the paper to Antinahuel; "that iswhat you require."
"Good!" the latter replied, taking it.
He turned it this way and he turned it that, as if to make out what thegeneral had written; but as may be supposed, all his efforts producedno results. Don Pancho and Dona Maria watched him closely. At theexpiration of a minute, the chief made another sign to Black Stag, whowent out, but in a very short time returned, followed by two Indiansleading a Chilian soldier between them.
"Moro Huinca," he said, in a rough voice, "can you explain what is setdown on this paper?"
"What?" the soldier replied.
The general then added:--
"The chief asks you if you can read."
"Yes, senor," the wounded man stammered.
"Good!" said Antinahuel; "then explain it."
And he gave him the paper.
The soldier took it mechanically. It was evident that the poor wretch,stupefied by terror, did not understand what was required of him.
"My friend," said the general, "as you know how to read, have thegoodness to explain to us what is written on this paper. Is not thatwhat you desire, chief?" he said, addressing the Toqui.
The soldier, whose terror was a little calmed by the friendly tone ofthe general, at last comprehended what was expected of him; he cast hiseyes over the paper, and read as follows:--
"I, the undersigned, Don Pancho Bustamente, general of division,ex-minister at war of the Chilian republic, engage, in favourof Antinahuel, grand Toqui of the Araucanos, to abandon, in allproprietorship, to him and to his people, to enjoy and dispose of attheir pleasure now and for ever, without anyone being able to contestwith them the legitimate proprietorship: first, the province ofValdivia; second, the province of Concepcion, to within twenty miles ofthe city of Talca. This territory shall belong, in all its breadth andin all its length, to the Araucano people, if the Toqui Antinahuel, bythe help of an army, reinstates me in the power I have lost, and givesme the means to retain it in my hands."
"In faith of which I have signed with my name, prenames, and qualities."
"Don Pancho Bustamente," "General of Division, ex Minister of War of the Chilian Republic."
Whilst the soldier was reading, Antinahuel leaning over his shoulder,appeared endeavouring to read also; when he had ended, with one hand hesnatched the paper roughly from him, and with the other he plunged hisponiard into his heart.
"What have you done?" the general said.
&nbs
p; "Wah!" the chief replied; "this fellow might have talked hereafter,perhaps."
"That is true." said Don Pancho.
An Araucano warrior took up the body, placed it upon his shoulders, andcarried it out of the toldo.
"Well?" the general resumed.
"My brother may depend upon me," said Antinahuel; "I must now return tomy village."
"Stay, chief," the general objected; "that is losing time."
"Interests of the highest importance oblige me."
"That is useless," said Dona Maria, coolly.
"What does my sister mean?" Antinahuel asked.
"I have comprehended the impatience which devours the heart of mybrother; this morning I myself despatched a _chasqui_ after themosotones who were conducting the pale maiden to the tolderia of thePuelches, with an order to retrace their steps."
The countenance of the chief cleared up.
"My sister is good!" he said; "Antinahuel, he will remember."
"Let my brother consent, then, to do what the great warrior of thepalefaces desires."
"Let my brother speak," the chief continued gravely.
"We must, if we wish to succeed, act with the rapidity of lightning,"said Don Pancho; "collect all your warriors, and let their rendezvousbe upon the Bio Bio. We will gain possession of Concepcion by a_coup-de-main;_ and if our movements are prompt, we shall be mastersof Santiago, the capital, before they have time to raise the necessarytroops to oppose their passage."
"Good!" Antinahuel replied. "My brother is a skilful chief; he willsucceed."
"Yes, but we must use despatch above everything."
"My brother will see," the Toqui said, laconically.
"My brother," he added to Black Stag, "will send off the quipu and thelance of fire; in ten suns, thirty thousand warriors will be assembledon the plain of Conderkanki. I have spoken--begone."
The Black Stag bowed, and left the cuarto without reply.
"Is my brother content?" asked Antinahuel.
"Yes," the general replied; "and I will soon prove to my brother that Ialso can keep my promises."
The Toqui gave orders for striking the camp. An hour later, a long fileof horsemen disappeared in the depths of the virgin forest which formedthe limits of the plain.
Dona Maria and Bustamente were in high spirits; they both thought theirobject nearly obtained; they imagined they were on the point of seeingrealised the hope they had so long nourished.
The Pearl of the Andes: A Tale of Love and Adventure Page 21