CHAPTER XXV.
THE SUN-TIGER.
In the state of anarchy in which Chili was plunged at the period of ourhistory, the parties were numerous, and everyone was manoeuvring in theshade, as skilfully as possible, in order to gain possession of power.General Bustamente, as we have stated, aimed at nothing less than theprotectorate of a confederation similar to that of the United States,which, then but little understood, dazzled his ambition. He could notdivine that those ancient outlaws, those sectarian fanatics exiled fromEurope, those thriving merchants, had already begun to dream in Americaof a universal monarchy, a senseless Utopia, the application of whichwill one day cost them the loss of that so-called nationality of whichthey are so proud, and which, in reality, does not exist. ProbablyGeneral Bustamente did not look so far into the future, or, if he diddivine the tendencies of the Anglo-Americans, perhaps he dreamt ofhimself following also that ambitious aim, as soon as his power shouldrepose upon solid bases.
The Dark-Hearts, the only true patriots in this unhappy country, ontheir side, wished that the government should adopt measures of arather democratic nature, but they had no intention to overturn it,for they were persuaded that a revolution could only be prejudicialto the general welfare of the nation. Beside General Bustamente andthe society of the Dark-Hearts, a third party, more powerful, perhaps,than the two first, was at work silently, but active. This party wasrepresented by Antinahuel, the toqui of the most important Uthal-Mapusof the Araucanian confederacy. We have said that from its geographicalposition, this little insignificant republic is placed like a wedgein the Chilian territory, which it separates sharply in two. Thisposition gave Antinahuel immense power. All Araucanos are soldiers; ata signal from their chiefs, they take up arms, and are able, in a fewdays, to get together an army of experienced warriors. The republicansand the partizans of Bustamente were fully aware how much it was totheir interest to attach the Araucanos to their party; with the aidof these ferocious soldiers victory would be certain. Already had theKing of Darkness and Bustamente made proposals to Antinahuel,--ofcourse, unknown to each other. These overtures the redoubtable toquihad appeared to listen to, and had feigned to reply to both, for thefollowing reasons:--
Antinahuel, in addition to the hereditary hatred which his ancestorshad bequeathed to him against the white race, or perhaps on account ofthat hatred, had dreamt, since he had been elected supreme chief of anUthal-Mapus, not only of the complete independence of his country, butmoreover of re-conquering all the territory which the Spaniards haddeprived it of; he hoped to drive them back to the other side of theCordilleras of the Andes, and restore to his nation the splendour it hadenjoyed before the arrival of the whites in Chili. And this patrioticproject Antinahuel was just the man to carry through. Endowed withvast intelligence, at once daring and subtle, he allowed himself to bestopped by no obstacle, conquered by no reverse. Almost entirely broughtup in Chili, he spoke Spanish perfectly, was thoroughly acquainted withthe manners of his enemies, and by means of numberless spies spreadeverywhere, he was well informed with regard to the Chilian policy,and of the precarious situation of those whom he wished to conquer; hehabitually took advantage of the dissensions which separated them, andfeigned to lend an ear to the propositions made to him on all parts, inorder, when the moment should arrive, to crush his enemies one after theother, and be left alone standing.
He wanted a plausible pretext for keeping his Uthal-Mapus under arms,without inspiring the Chilians with mistrust: and this pretext GeneralBustamente and the Dark-Hearts supplied him with by their preparations.No one could be surprised, for this reason, at seeing, in a timeof peace, the toqui gather together a numerous army on the Chilianfrontiers, since, _in petto_, either party flattered itself that thisarmy was destined to aid its cause. The conduct of the toqui was,therefore, most skilful; for he not only inspired mistrust in no one,but, on the contrary, gave hopes to all. The position was becomingserious; the hour for action could not long be delayed; and Antinahuel,whose measures were all prepared, awaited impatiently the moment forbeginning the struggle.
Things were at this point on the day when Dona Maria came to thetolderia of the Black-Serpents, to visit the friend of her childhood. Assoon as she awoke, the Linda gave orders for her departure.
"Is my sister going to leave me already?" said Antinahuel, in a tone ofmild reproach.
"Yes," Dona Maria replied, "my brother knows that I must reach Valdiviaas quickly as possible."
The chief did not press her stay; a furtive smile played round his lips.After Dona Maria was on horseback, she turned towards the toqui.
"Did not my brother say he should be soon in Valdivia?" she asked, in aperfectly well-played tone of indifference.
"I shall be there as soon as my sister," he replied.
"We shall see each other again, then?"
"Perhaps we may."
"We must!"
This was said in a positive tone.
"Very well," the chief replied, after a moment's pause; "my sister maydepart--she shall see me again."
"Till then, farewell, then," she said, and rode away at a quick pace.
She soon disappeared in a cloud of dust, and the chief returnedthoughtfully to his toldo.
"Woman," he said, to his mother, "I am going to the great tolderia ofthe palefaces."
"I heard everything last night," the Indian woman replied, sorrowfully;"my son is wrong."
"Wrong! how, or why?" he asked, passionately.
"My son is a great chief; my sister deceives him, and makes himsubservient to her vengeance."
"Or rather my own," he replied, in a singular tone.
"The young white girl has a right to the protection of my son."
"I will protect the Pearl of the Andes."
"My son forgets that she of whom he speaks saved his life."
"Silence, woman!" he shouted, in a passionate tone.
The Indian woman held her peace, but sighed deeply.
The chief summoned his mosotones, and selecting from among them a scoreof warriors upon whom he could place entire reliance, ordered them tobe ready to follow him within an hour. He then threw himself upon abench, and sank into serious and agitating reflections. Suddenly a greatnoise was heard from without, and the chief sprang from his recumbentposition, and went to the door of his toldo. He was surprised to see twostrangers, mounted upon excellent horses, and preceded by an Indian,advancing towards him. These strangers were Valentine and Louis, who hadleft their friends a short distance from the tolderia.
Valentine, on leaving the village of the Puelches, had opened the letteraddressed to himself, and placed in his hands by the major-domo, with arecommendation not to open it till the last minute. The young man wasfar from expecting the contents of this strange missive. After carefullyreading it, he communicated it to his friend, saying--
"Here, read this, Louis;--hem! who knows but that this singular letteris the first step to our fortune?"
Like all men in love, Louis was sceptical upon every subject that didnot bear some relation to his passion, and he returned the paper,shaking his head.
"Politics burn the fingers," he said.
"Yes, of those who don't know how to handle them," Valentine replied,with a shrug of the shoulders. "Now, it is my opinion that in thiscountry, in which it has pleased fate to drop us, the most promisingelement of fortune we have at command happens to be those very politicswhich you so much disdain."
"I must confess, my friend, that I care very little for theseDark-Hearts, of whom I know nothing, and who have done us the honour toaffiliate us."
"I do not share your opinion at all; I believe them to be resolute,intelligent men, and am persuaded they will, some day, gain the upperhand."
"Much good may it do them! But of what consequence is that to usFrenchmen?"
"More than you may think for; and I am determined, immediately aftermy interview with this said Antinahuel, to go directly to Valdivia, inorder to be present at the meeting they appoint."
"As you please," said the Count, carelessly. "As such is your advice,we will go thither; only I warn you that we shall risk our heads. If welose them, it will be all very well; but I wash my hands of the matterbeforehand."
"I will be prudent, caramba! My head is the only thing I can call myown," Valentine replied, laughing, "and be assured I will not risk itfor nothing. Besides, do you not partake of my curiosity to see howthese people understand politics, and in what a fashion they set aboutconspiring?"
"Well, that may become interesting; we travel partly for instruction;let us gain it, then, when it offers itself."
"Bravo! that's the way in which I like to hear a man speak. Let us goand seek the redoubtable chief to whom we have a letter to deliver."
Trangoil-Lanec and Curumilla were too prudent to venture to letAntinahuel know of the friendship which bound them to the two Frenchmen.Without suspecting the reasons which induced their friends to presentthemselves to the toqui, they foresaw that a day might come when itwould be advantageous that their relations should be unknown. When theyarrived, therefore, at a short distance from the tolderia, the Indianwarriors remained concealed in a secluded corner, keeping Caesar withthem, and allowing the two Frenchmen to continue their route to thevillage of the Black-Serpents, with whom, in addition, they had notlately been upon the best terms.
The reception given to the Frenchmen was most friendly; for in timeof peace the Araucanos are exceedingly hospitable. As soon as theyperceived the strangers, they crowded round them; and as all the Indiansspeak Spanish with astonishing facility, Valentine had no difficulty inmaking himself understood. One warrior, more polite than the rest, tookupon himself to be their guide through the village, in which, of course,they were at a loss. He led them to the toldo of the chief, in front ofwhich were drawn up twenty horsemen, armed, and apparently waiting.
"That is Antinahuel, the great toqui of the Inapire-Mapu," said theguide, emphatically, pointing with his finger at the chief, who at thatmoment came out of his toldo, attracted by the noise.
"Thank you," said Valentine; and the two Frenchmen advanced rapidlytowards the toqui, who, on his part, made a few steps to meet them.
"Eh, eh!" Valentine said, in a subdued voice, to his companion; "hereis a man with a good bearing, and with a rather intelligent air for anIndian."
"Yes," Louis replied, in the same tone, "but he has a contracted brow,a sinister look, and compressed lips--he inspires me with very littleconfidence."
"Bah!" said Valentine, "you are too difficult by half; did you expect tofind an Indian an Antinous or an Apollo Belvedere?"
"No; but I should like a little more open frankness in his look."
"Well, well, we shall see."
"I do not know why, but that man produces the effect of a reptile uponme; he inspires me with invincible repulsion."
"Oh, nonsense! you are too impressionable. I am sure that the man, who,I cannot deny, has the air of a thorough rascal, is, at bottom, one ofthe best fellows in the world."
"God grant I may be deceived! But I experience, on seeing him, a feelingfor which I cannot account; it seems as if a kind of presentiment warnedme to be on my guard against that man, and that he will be fatal to me."
"All folly! What relations can you ever have with this individual? Weare charged with a mission to him; who knows whether we may ever see himagain? and then what interests can connect us with him hereafter?"
"You are right; and I do not know what makes me think as I havesaid; besides, we shall soon know what we have to trust to on hisaccount--here he is."
The adventurers were, in fact, at that moment in front of the chief'stoldo. Antinahuel stood before them; and, although appearing to begiving orders to his men, examined them very attentively. He steppedtowards them quickly, and, bowing with perfect politeness, said, in apleasant tone, and with a graceful gesture--
"Strangers, you are welcome to my toldo. Your presence rejoices myheart. Condescend to pass over the threshold of this poor hut, whichwill be yours as long as you deign to remain among us."
"Thanks for the kind words of welcome you address to us, powerfulchief," Valentine replied. "The persons who sent us to you assured us ofthe kind reception we might expect."
"If the strangers come on the part of my friends, that is a furtherreason why I should endeavour to make their abode here as agreeable asmy humble means will allow me."
The two Frenchmen bowed ceremoniously, and alighted from their horses.At a sign from the toqui, two peons led the horses away to a vast corralbehind the toldo.