Scarcely had he raised her in his arms to put her on the horse, which he had so miraculously appropriated, than the Guaycurus warriors surrounded him.
Diogo cast a sorrowful look at the young girl, whom he placed on the ground, and drawing from his girdle his pistols, the only arms he had left—
"Poor child," murmured he; "I have done what I could. Fate is against me. I will certainly kill two more of them before dying," he said, coolly loading his pistols.
Suddenly the ranks of the warriors opened. Tarou Niom appeared.
"Let no one touch that man and woman," he said.
"Come, that will be for another time," said the captain, replacing his pistols in his girdle.
"You are brave; I love you," resumed Tarou Niom; "take that jni-maak (feather); it will serve you for a safeguard. Remain here until I return."
Diogo took the feather, and sat down sadly near the young girl.
An hour later the captain and doña Laura were accompanying the Guaycurus warriors, who were returning to their village.
The young girl was still in a fainting condition, and did not yet know the full extent of the new misfortune which had fallen upon her.