by Mayne Reid
CHAPTER EIGHT.
A COMPACT BETWEEN SCOUNDRELS.
What the upshot of Valdez's errand as commissioner to the Tovas tribemay be told in a few words. That he has been successful, in some way,can be guessed from his being seen in close fellowship with him who isnow their chief. For, otherwise, he would not be there with them oronly as a prisoner. Instead, he is, as he appears, the accepted friendof Aguara, however false the friendship. And the tie which has knitthem together is in keeping with the character of one, if not both. Allthis brought about without any great difficulty, or only such as waseasily overcome by the Paraguayan plenipotentiary. Having reached theTovas town--that where the tribe is now in permanent residence--only aday or two after Naraguana's death, he found the Indians in the midst oftheir lamentations; and, through their hearts rendered gentle by grief,received friendly reception. This, and the changed _regime_, offered afine opportunity for effecting his purpose, of which the astutecommissioner soon availed himself. The result, a promise of renewal ofthe old peace treaty; which he has succeeded in obtaining, partly byfair words, but as much by a profuse expenditure of the coin with whichFrancia had furnished him. This agreed to by the elders of the tribe;since they had to be consulted. But without a word said about theirlate chiefs protege--the hunter-naturalist--or aught done affecting him.For the Paraguayan soon perceived, that the _sagamores_ would be trueto the trust Naraguana had left; in his last coherent words enjoiningthem to continue protection to the stranger, and hold him, as his,unharmed.
So far the elders in council; and the astute commissioner, recognisingthe difficulty, not to say danger, of touching on this delicate subject,said nothing to them about it.
For all, he has not left the matter in abeyance, instead, has spoken ofit to other ears, where he knew he would be listened to with more safetyto himself--the ears of Aguara. For he had not been long in the Tovastown without making himself acquainted with the character of the newcacique, as also his inclinings--especially those relating to FrancescaHalberger. And that some private understanding has been establishedbetween him and the young Tovas chief is evident from the conversationthey are now carrying on.
"You can keep the _muchachita_ at your pleasure," says Valdez, having,to all appearance, settled certain preliminaries. "All my master wantsis, to vindicate the laws of our country, which this man Halberger hasoutraged. As you know yourself, Senor Aguara, one of our statutes isthat no foreigner who marries a Paraguayan woman may take her out of thecountry without permission of the President--our executive chief. Nowthis man is not one of our people, but a stranger--_a gringo_--from faraway over the big waters; while the Senora, his wife, is Paraguayan,bred and born. Besides, he stole her away in the night, like a thief,as he is."
Naraguana would not tamely have listened to such discourse. Instead,the old chief, loyal to his friendship, would have indignantly repelledthe allegations against his friend and protege. As it is, they fallupon the ear of Naraguana's son without his offering either rebuke orprotest.
Still, he seems in doubt as to what answer he should make, or whatcourse he ought to pursue in the business between them.
"What would you have me do, Senor Rufino?" he asks in a patois ofSpanish, which many Chaco Indians can speak; himself better than common,from his long and frequent intercourse with Halberger's family. "Whatwant you?"
"I don't want you to do anything," rejoins the _vaqueano_. "If you'reso squeamish about giving offence to him you call your father's friend,you needn't take any part in the matter, or at all compromise yourself.Only stand aside, and allow the law I've just spoken of to havefulfilment."
"But how?"
"Let our President send a party of his soldiers to arrest thoserunaways, and carry them back whence they came. Now that you'veproposed to renew the treaty with us, and are hereafter to be ourallies--and, I hope, fast friends--it is only just and right you shouldsurrender up those who are our enemies. If you do, I can say, as histrusted representative, that El Supremo will heap favours, and bestowrich presents on the Tovas tribe; above all, on its young cacique--ofwhom I've heard him speak in terms of the highest praise."
Aguara, a vain young fellow, eagerly drinks in the fulsome flattery, hiseyes sparkling with delight at the prospect of the gifts thus promised.For he is as covetous of wealth as he is conceited about his personalappearance.
"But," he says, thinking of a reservation, "would you want us tosurrender them all? Father, mother--"
"No, not all," rejoins the ruffian, interrupting. "There is one," hecontinues, looking askant at the Indian, with the leer of a demon, "one,I take it, whom the young Tovas chief would wish to retain as anornament to his court. Pretty creature the _nina_ was, when I last sawher; and I have no doubt still is, unless your Chaco sun has made havocwith her charms. She had a cousin about her own age, by name Cypriano,who was said to be very fond of her; and rumour had it around Assuncion,that they were being brought up for one another."
Aguara's brow blackens, and his dark Indian eyes seem to emit sparks offire.
"Cypriano shall never have her!" he exclaims in a tone of angrydetermination.
"How can you help it, amigo?" interrogates his tempter. "That is,supposing the two are inclined for one another. As you know, her fatheris not only a paleface, but _a gringo_, with prejudices of blood farbeyond us Paraguayans, who are half-Indian ourselves. Ah! and proud ofit too. Being such, he would never consent to give his daughter inmarriage to a red man--make a _squaw_ of her, as he would scornfullycall it. No, not even though it were the grandest cacique in the Chaco.He would see her dead first."
"Indeed!" exclaims the Indian, with a disdainful toss of the head.
"Indeed, yes," asseverates Valdez. "And whether they remain under yourprotection, or be taken back to Paraguay, 'twill be all the same asregards the senorita. There's but one way I know of to hinder her frombecoming the wife of her cousin Cypriano, and that is--"
"What?" impatiently asks Aguara.
"To separate them. Let father, mother, son, and nephew be taken back towhere they belong; the _nina_ to stay behind."
"But how can that be done?"
"You mean without your showing your hand in it?" asks Valdez, in aconfidential whisper.
"I do. For know, Senor Rufino, that, though I'm now chief of our tribe,and those we have with us here will do as I bid them--obey me inanything--still the elders have control, and might make trouble if I didaught to injure the friend of my late father. I am not free, and darenot act as you propose."
"_Carramba_! you needn't act at all, as I've already told you. Onlystand aside, and let others do the acting. 'Twill be easy enough. Butgive your consent to my bringing a pack of our Paraguayan wolves to thisfold your father has so carefully shepherded, and I'll answer forsorting out the sheep we want to take, and leaving the lamb you wishleft. Then you and yours can come opportunely up, too late forprotecting the old ram and dam, but in time to rescue the bleatinglambkin, and bear her away to a place of safety. Your own toldo, SenorAguara; where, take my word for't, no one will ever come to inquireafter, much less reclaim her. You consent?"
"Speak low!" cautions the wily Indian, casting a glance over hisshoulders as one willing to do a wicked deed, but without desiring itknown. "Don't let them hear us. _You have my consent_."