"Whence comes your thoughtful air, brother?"
"It is because this man, in spite of his European dress and thorough appearance of a white, resembles—"
"Whom?"
"The Indian chief, with whom we fought at the tree of Gualichu, and to whom we owe Mercedes' safety."
"You must be mistaken."
"Not the least in the world, brothers," the eldest replied authoritatively. "When hidden in the trunk of the sacred tree, I had leisure to study his features, which have remained graven on my mind. Besides, I recognize him by this gash which I made on his face with my sabre."
"That is true," the others said in surprise.
"What is to be done?"
"What is the meaning of this disguise?"
"Heaven alone knows," Pedrito answered, "but he must be saved."