"I will not insist," said Don Tadeo, "although you will not tell us your motives. I believe you to be too considerate a man, Don Valentine, not to be convinced that the reasons which force you to leave us are serious."
"Of the greatest seriousness," the young man replied.
"Very well. But on leaving this place, in which direction do you intend to bend your steps?"
"Faith! I own frankly—besides, you know already that I and my friend are in search of fortune—that all directions are the same to us, since we must, above everything, depend upon chance."
"I am of your opinion," replied Don Tadeo, smiling. "Listen to me, then. I possess large estates in the province of Valdivia, which it is my intention to visit shortly. What prevents you going that way in preference to any other?"
"Nothing, that I know of."
"I, at this moment, stand in need of a man whom I can depend upon, to undertake an important mission into Araucania, to one of the principal chiefs of the people of that country. If you are going to the province of Valdivia, you will be obliged to traverse Araucania in its whole length. Are you willing to undertake this commission? Will that inconvenience you?"
"Why should I not?" said Valentine. "I have never come face to face with savages; I should like to see what sort of people they are."
"Very well; now is your opportunity. That is agreed upon then. You wish to start tomorrow, do you not?"
"Tomorrow! Today, if you please—in a few hours, for it will not be long before the sun will be up."