CHAPTER XVII.
IN THE WOLF'S MOUTH.
We are compelled to interrupt our recital here to relate the variousincidents that took place in the camp of the Aucas, after the battlewith the Spaniards.
The men placed in ambush at the top of the rocks had made them sufferserious losses. The principal leader, who had escaped safe and soundfrom the desperate fight of the morning, had been grievously wounded,struck by invisible hands. General Bustamente, thrown from his horse,had received a bullet, which, fortunately for him, had inflicted only aflesh wound. Don Pancho was carried fainting off the field of battle,and concealed in the woods, as was the Linda.
"What line of conduct will my brother pursue?" the general asked.
"The Great Eagle has my word," the chief replied, with an ambiguouslook; "let him keep his word."
"I have no double tongue," the general said; "let me regain my power,and I will restore to the people the territory which once belonged tothem."
"In that case, let my father command," replied Antinahuel.
A proud smile curled the lips of the general; he perceived all was notlost.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"In ambush In front of the palefaces who so roughly saluted us an hourago."
"And what is my brother's intention?"
"To capture them somehow," Antinahuel replied.
After speaking these words, he bowed to the general and retired. DonPancho remained plunged in serious reflection.
He turned round with surprise, and with difficulty repressed a cry ofhorror--it was Dona Maria, her clothes torn and stained with blood anddirt, and her face enveloped in bandages and bloody linen.
"I appear horrible to you, Don Pancho," she said, in a low voice.
"Senora;" the general began, warmly; but she interrupted him.
"Do not debase yourself by a lie unworthy of you and of me."
"Senora, I beg you to believe----"
"You no longer love me, I tell you, Don Pancho," she replied, bitterly;"besides, have I not sacrificed everything to you? I had nothing leftbut my beauty--I gave you that, joyfully."
"I will not reply to the disguised recriminations you address to me."
"Oh, a truce with these trivialities," she interrupted violently. "Iflove can no longer unite us, hatred can, we have the same enemy."
"Don Tadeo de Leon," he said angrily.
"Yes--Don Tadeo de Leon."
"Ah! I am free now!" he shouted in a furious tone.
"Thanks to me," she said pointedly.
"Yes," he replied, "that is true."
"Such are women. You are aware of the ability and cool bravery of yourenemy; if you give him time, in a few days he will become a colossus."
"Yes," he murmured, as if speaking to himself, "I know it, I feel it."
"Hark!" she said, leaning her head forward, "do you hear that noise?"
There was a great commotion in the wood; it was the escort of Don Ramonbeing surrounded.
Antinahuel shortly appeared, leading in Don Ramon Sandias. Onperceiving the Linda he gave a start of terror.
"Miserable scoundrel!" cried the general.
"Hold!" said the Linda.
"What! do _you_ defend this man?" the astonished general exclaimed."The accomplice of Cornejo, it was he who inflicted upon you thatfrightful wound."
"Oh! I know all that," the Linda replied with a smile; "but I forgetand forgive Don Ramon Sandias."
"Very well," he said, "since you desire it, Dona Maria; I pardon as youdo."
The senator could not believe his ears; but, at all hazards, he seizedthe extended hand, and shook it with all his might, Antinahuel smiledcontemptuously.
"If this is the case," he said, "I will leave you together; it isuseless to bind the prisoner."
"Oh! my dear benefactors!" exclaimed Don Ramon, rushing towards them.
"Stop a bit, caballero!" cried Don Pancho; "we must now have a littletalk together."
At which words the senator stopped in confusion.
"You are aware, are you not, that you are perfectly in our power!" saidthe Linda.
"Now," the general added, "answer categorically the questions whichwill be put to you."
"How came you here?"
"I have just been surprised by the Indians."
"Where were you going?"
"To Santiago."
"Alone?"
"Oh, Lord! no; I had an escort of fifty horsemen."
"What were you going to do at Santiago?"
"Alas! I am tired of politics: my intention was to retire to my quintain the bosom of my family."
"Had you no other object?" the general asked.
"I was only charged with a despatch; here it is."
The general seized it, broke the seal, and rapidly read its contents.
"Bah!" he said, crushing the paper, "there is not even common sense inthis despatch."
Dona Maria put an end to this by saying--
"Go to Antinahuel, Don Pancho; he must demand an interview with theadventurers who are perched like owls at the summit of the rocks."
"I will, as you desire it so earnestly."
The general succeeded; when he rejoined the Linda, she was terminatingher conversation with the senator, by saying to him in a sardonicvoice--
"Manage it as well as you are able, my dear senor; if you fail, I willgive you up to the Indians."
"Hum!" said the terrified senator; "and if they learn it is I who havedone that, what will happen?"
"You will be burnt."
"Demonios! the prospect is not an agreeable one."