"They are dead."
"And where is your tribe at this moment?"
"Oh!" said the Indian, "far from here—ten suns' march, at least. I was returning to rejoin the warriors of my toldería, when Joan charged me with this mission."
There was a short silence, during which the Linda appeared to be reflecting. Doña Rosario redoubled her attention—she felt she was about to know her fate.
"And pray," Doña Maria resumed, fixing her keen eyes upon the Indian, "what great interest detained you on the plains near the seashore?"
"None; I came, as the other Ulmens did, to renew the treaties."
"Had you no other reasons?"
"None at all."
"Listen to me, chief. You have, doubtless, admired the four horses fastened at the gate of this house?"
"They are noble beasts," the Indian replied, his eyes glistening with the desire of possessing them.