At the first name pronounced by the Indian chief the general had imperceptibly started, and his black eyebrows were for a moment knitted.
"The name of my father is Tarou Niom?" asked he, as if he had wished to know it for certain.
"Yes," laconically answered the Indian; and he added, after a short pause, "these are the captains."
In fact, almost immediately the tall grass appeared to divide, trodden down by several horses, and the Indians appeared.
"The palefaces are welcome on the hunting grounds of the Guaycurus," said Gueyma, after he had gracefully bowed to the general; "the warriors of my tribe and of the allied tribes are happy to see them amongst them."
"I thank the captains for their kind words," answered the general, "and especially for the distinction with which the allies honour me in coming thus to meet me. I am ready to follow the captains to the place whither they please to conduct me."
After some other commonplace politeness, the two troops, blended into one, resumed the direction of the hill.
A few minutes afterwards the Brazilian officers, escorted by the Indian chiefs, reached the summit of the hill, where they were received with marks of the most lively joy by their countrymen.
As soon as they had reached the camp, Gueyma stopped his horse, and, placing his right hand on the shoulder of one of the two officers, who had come forward to meet the newcomers, he turned towards the general—
"Here are the two hostages confided by the palefaces to the Guaycurus captains; these men have been treated by us as brothers."