CHAPTER XIX.
THE APPEAL.
The Araucanos had faithfully observed the conditions of the treaty;and the Chilians quietly retired, without perceiving a single enemy'sscout. They took the road to Valdivia. But it was night; the darknesswhich enveloped the earth confounded all objects, and rendered themarch exceedingly painful. The tired horses advanced with difficulty,stumbling at every step. Valentine dreaded with reason, losing his wayin the darkness; when they arrived, therefore, on the bank of a river,which he recognised as that which, a few days before, had been the spotwhere the treaties had been renewed, he halted and encamped for thenight. Everyone rummaging in his alforjas, a species of large pockets,drew forth the charqui and harina tostada which were to comprise hissupper. The repasts of men fatigued with a long journey are short, forsleep is their principal want. An hour later, with the exception of thesentinels, who watched over the common safety, all the soldiers weresleeping soundly. Seven men alone, seated round an immense fire, in thecentre of the camp, were talking and smoking.
"My friends," said Valentine, taking his cigar from his mouth, "we arenot far, I think, from Valdivia."
"Scarcely ten leagues," Joan replied.
"I believe, with deference to better advice," Valentine continued,"that we shall do best before we take that rest of which we stand somuch in need, to examine our position."
All bowed in sign of assent.
"What occasion is there for discussion, my friend?" said Don Tadeowarmly; "tomorrow, at daybreak, we will proceed toward the mountains,leaving the soldiers to continue their march to Valdivia, under theconduct of Don Ramon."
"That is the best plan," said the senator: "we are all well armed;the few leagues before us present no appearance of serious danger:tomorrow, at daybreak, we will separate."
"Now then, I will ask our Araucano friends," Valentine went on, "ifthey still intend to follow us?"
"It is now a long time since my brothers quitted their village; theymay have a desire to see their wives and children again."
"My brother has spoken well," said Trangoil-Lanec: "his is a loyalheart; when he speaks his heart is always on his lips, so that hisvoice comes to my ear like the melodious song of the maukawis. I amhappy when I listen to him. Trangoil-Lanec is one of the chiefs of hisnation. Antinahuel is not his friend! Trangoil-Lanec will follow hispaleface friend wherever he may go."
"Thanks, chief; I was sure of your answer."
"Good!" said Curumilla, "my brother will say no more upon the subject."
"Faith, not I!" Valentine answered gaily; "I am but too happy to haveterminated the affair."
Here Caesar, who had been crouching comfortably near the fire, began tobark furiously.
"Hello!" said Valentine, "what is going to happen now?"
Everyone listened anxiously, whilst seeking his arms instinctively.
"To arms!" Valentine commanded in a low voice; "We know not with whomwe may have to do, it is as well to be on our guard."
In a few minutes all the camp was roused. The noise drew nearer andnearer.
"Quien vive?" the sentinel cried.
"Chile!" replied a powerful voice.
"Que gente?" went on the soldier.
"Gente de paz," said the voice, and immediately added, "Don GregorioPeralta."
"Come on! come on!" cried Valentine.
"Caspita! caballeros," Don Gregorio replied warmly, shaking the handsthat were on all sides held out to him--"what a fortunate chance."
With Don Gregorio thirty horsemen entered the camp.
"What do you mean by 'quickly?'" Don Tadeo asked. "Were you in searchof us, my friend?"
"Caray! It was expressly to find you that I left Valdivia a few hoursago."
"I do not understand you," said Don Tadeo.
Don Gregorio did not appear to notice him, but, making a sign to thetwo Frenchmen and Don Tadeo to follow him, he retired a few paces.
"You have asked me why I sought you, Don Tadeo;" he continued,"Yesterday I set out, sent to you by our brothers, the patriots, and byall the Dark Hearts of Chili, of whom you are the leader and the king,with the mission to repeat this to you when I met with you: 'King ofDarkness, our country is in danger! One man alone can save it; that manis yourself."
Don Tadeo made no reply; he seemed a prey to a poignant grief.
"Listen to the news I bring you," Don Gregorio continued. "GeneralBustamente has escaped!"
"I knew he had," he murmured faintly.
"Yes; but what you do not know is, that the scoundrel has succeeded inwinning the Araucanos to his interests."
"This news----" objected Don Tadeo.
"Is certain," Don Gregorio interrupted warmly; "a faithful spy hasbrought it to us."
"You know, my friend, I resigned all power into your hands."
"When you resigned the power into my hands, Don Tadeo, the enemywas conquered and a prisoner--the liberty was victorious: but noweverything is changed. The peril is greater than ever."
"My friend," Don Tadeo replied, with an accent of profound sadness,"another voice calls me likewise."
"Public safety is superior to family affections! Remember your oath!"said Don Gregorio sternly.
"But my daughter!--my poor child!--the only comfort I possess!" heexclaimed.
"Remember your oath, King of Darkness!" Don Gregorio repeated with thesame solemnity of voice.
"Oh!" the unhappy father exclaimed, "will you not have pity on aparent?"
"It is well," Don Gregorio replied with asperity. "I will go back, DonTadeo. For ten years we have sacrificed everything for the cause younow betray; we know how to die for that liberty which you abandon!Farewell, Don Tadeo! The Chilian people will succumb, but you willrecover your daughter. Farewell! I know you no longer!"
"Oh, stop! stop!" Don Tadeo cried, "Retract those frightful words! Iwill die with you! Let us be gone!--Let us be gone! My daughter!" headded--"pardon me!"
"Oh! I have found my brother again!" Don Gregorio exclaimed. "No! withsuch a champion liberty can never perish!"
"Don Tadeo," Valentine cried, "go where duty calls you; I swear to youby my God that we will restore your daughter to you!
"Yes." said the count, pressing his hand, "if we perish in the attempt!"
Don Gregorio was not willing to pass the night in the camp. Everyhorseman took a foot soldier behind him, and set off, as fast as theirhorses could bear their double load, on their way to Valdivia.
The troop of Chilians soon disappeared, and there remained in the camponly Valentine, the count, Curumilla, Joan, and Trangoil-Lanec.
The five adventurers wrapped themselves in their ponchos, lay down withtheir feet to the fire, and went to sleep under the guardianship ofCaesar.