THE APPEAL.
The Araucanos had faithfully observed the conditions of the treaty; and the Chilians quietly retired, without perceiving a single enemy's scout. They took the road to Valdivia. But it was night; the darkness which enveloped the earth confounded all objects, and rendered the march exceedingly painful. The tired horses advanced with difficulty, stumbling at every step. Valentine dreaded with reason, losing his way in 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 spot where the treaties had been renewed, he halted and encamped for the night. Everyone rummaging in his alforjas, a species of large pockets, drew forth the charqui and harina tostada which were to comprise his supper. The repasts of men fatigued with a long journey are short, for sleep is their principal want. An hour later, with the exception of the sentinels, who watched over the common safety, all the soldiers were sleeping soundly. Seven men alone, seated round an immense fire, in the centre of the camp, were talking and smoking.
"My friends," said Valentine, taking his cigar from his mouth, "we are not 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 so much in need, to examine our position."
All bowed in sign of assent.
"What occasion is there for discussion, my friend?" said Don Tadeo warmly; "tomorrow, at daybreak, we will proceed toward the mountains, leaving the soldiers to continue their march to Valdivia, under the conduct of Don Ramón."
"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, "if they still intend to follow us?"
"It is now a long time since my brothers quitted their village; they may have a desire to see their wives and children again."
"My brother has spoken well," said Trangoil-Lanec: "his is a loyal heart; when he speaks his heart is always on his lips, so that his voice comes to my ear like the melodious song of the maukawis. I am happy when I listen to him. Trangoil-Lanec is one of the chiefs of his nation. Antinahuel is not his friend! Trangoil-Lanec will follow his paleface 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 have terminated the affair."
Here Cæsar, who had been crouching comfortably near the fire, began to bark 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 whom we 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 and nearer.
"¿Quién vive?" the sentinel cried.
"Chile!" replied a powerful voice.
"¿Qué gente?" went on the soldier.
"Gente de paz," said the voice, and immediately added, "Don Gregorio Peralta."
"Come on! come on!" cried Valentine.
"Caspita! caballeros," Don Gregorio replied warmly, shaking the hands that 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 search of us, my friend?"
"Caray! It was expressly to find you that I left Valdivia a few hours ago."
"I do not understand you," said Don Tadeo.
Don Gregorio did not appear to notice him, but, making a sign to the two 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 by all 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 of Darkness, our country is in danger! One man alone can save it; that man is yourself."
Don Tadeo made no reply; he seemed a prey to a poignant grief.
"Listen to the news I bring you," Don Gregorio continued. "General Bustamente has escaped!"
"I knew he had," he murmured faintly.
"Yes; but what you do not know is, that the scoundrel has succeeded in winning the Araucanos to his interests."
"This news——" objected Don Tadeo.
"Is certain," Don Gregorio interrupted warmly; "a faithful spy has brought 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 enemy was conquered and a prisoner—the liberty was victorious: but now everything 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!" he exclaimed.
"Remember your oath, King of Darkness!" Don Gregorio repeated with the same solemnity of voice.
"Oh!" the unhappy father exclaimed, "will you not have pity on a parent?"
"It is well," Don Gregorio replied with asperity. "I will go back, Don Tadeo. For ten years we have sacrificed everything for the cause you now betray; we know how to die for that liberty which you abandon! Farewell, Don Tadeo! The Chilian people will succumb, but you will recover your daughter. Farewell! I know you no longer!"
"Oh, stop! stop!" Don Tadeo cried, "Retract those frightful words! I will die with you! Let us be gone!—Let us be gone! My daughter!" he added—"pardon me!"
"Oh! I have found my brother again!" Don Gregorio exclaimed. "No! with such a champion liberty can never perish!"
"Don Tadeo," Valentine cried, "go where duty calls you; I swear to you by 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. Every horseman took a foot soldier behind him, and set off, as fast as their horses could bear their double load, on their way to Valdivia.
The troop of Chilians soon disappeared, and there remained in the camp only Valentine, the count, Curumilla, Joan, and Trangoil-Lanec.
The five adventurers wrapped themselves in their ponchos, lay down with their feet to the fire, and went to sleep under the guardianship of Cæsar.