"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 score of warriors upon whom he could place entire reliance, ordered them to be ready to follow him within an hour. He then threw himself upon a bench, and sank into serious and agitating reflections. Suddenly a great noise was heard from without, and the chief sprang from his recumbent position, and went to the door of his toldo. He was surprised to see two strangers, mounted upon excellent horses, and preceded by an Indian, advancing towards him. These strangers were Valentine and Louis, who had left their friends a short distance from the toldería.
Valentine, on leaving the village of the Puelches, had opened the letter addressed to himself, and placed in his hands by the major-domo, with a recommendation not to open it till the last minute. The young man was far from expecting the contents of this strange missive. After carefully reading it, he communicated it to his friend, saying—
"Here, read this, Louis;—hem! who knows but that this singular letter is the first step to our fortune?"
Like all men in love, Louis was sceptical upon every subject that did not bear some relation to his passion, and he returned the paper, shaking his head.