At this moment a far-off noise was heard—slight, and almost inappreciable at first, but which approached rapidly.
The two Indians listened for some seconds, and then exchanged a smile.
"It is the gallop of a horse," said Tarou Niom.
"In a few minutes he will be here."
The chiefs were not deceived—it was, in fact, the furious gallop of a horse. Soon the branches snapped, the shrubbery separated under the powerful effort the chest of a horse, galloping at full speed, and a horseman bounded into the glade.
Arrived within a few paces of the warriors, he suddenly pulled up his horse, leaped to the ground, and gave the bridle to the slave, who took it and conducted the noble animal to the two others.
The horseman, who was no other than the mameluco, saluted the Indians and seated himself in front of them.
"My friend has tarried long," said the Payagoas.
"It is true, Captain," answered Malco, wiping his forehead, which was covered with perspiration; "I ought to have been here long before, but that was impossible. My master camped in a place farther off than I reckoned on, and notwithstanding my wish to be exact, it was impossible for me to come sooner."
"Good, that is nothing, since here is the sertanejo; some hours lost are nothing, if the affair you wish to propose to us is good."