The matter being put to him so shortly, the Toqui reflected a minute, then turned towards the general.
"Who will guarantee the execution of my brother's promise?" he said, looking him full in the face.
"Let my brother name what guarantee he demands," said the general.
"A smile of undefinable expression curled Antinahuels lips. He made a sign to Black Stag, who rose and left the tent."
"Let my brother wait a moment," said the Toqui.
The general bowed without replying. At the end of a few minutes Black Stag returned, followed by an Araucano warrior bearing a kind of rickety table, hastily knocked together, of badly-jointed pieces of wood. Upon this table the Toqui silently placed paper, pens, and ink.
"The palefaces," he said, "possess much learning; they know more than we poor ignorant Indians do; my brother knows that. I have been among the whites, and have seen many of their customs; let my brother take this pen, and let him repeat to me there," he added, "what he has just said to me; then, as I shall keep his words, the wind will not be able to carry them away."
The general seized the pen, and dipped it in the ink.
"Since my brother mistrusts my words," he said, in a tone of pique, "I am ready to do what he desires."
"My brother has ill-understood my words," Antinahuel replied, "I have the greatest confidence in him, I in no way mean to offend him; only I represent my nation."