"I am at the orders of my white brother," the Indian replied, with a bow.
The General attentively examined the man before him; he endeavoured to read on his countenance the various feelings that acted upon him; but the features of the Indian were marble; no impression was reflected by them.
"Let us speak frankly, loyally, and as friends who wish no better than to understand each other plainly," he said.
Antinahuel bowed reservedly to this appeal to frankness, and the General continued—
"At this moment the people of Valdivia are constituting me, by acclamation, protector of a new confederation, formed of all the states."
"Good!" said the chief, with an almost imperceptible shake of the head; "is my father sure of that?"
"Certainly I am. The Chilians are tired of the continual agitations which disturb the country; they have forced this heavy burden upon me; but I owe myself to my country, and I will not disappoint the hopes my compatriots place in me."
These words were pronounced in a hypocritical tone of self-denial, of which the Indian was not in the least the dupe. A smile flitted across the lips of the chief, which the General affected not to perceive.
"To be brief," he continued, quitting the mild, conciliatory tone in which he had till that time spoken, to assume a more decided and abrupt manner, "are you prepared to keep your engagements?"
"Why should I not keep them?" Antinahuel remarked.