"I have comprehended the impatience which devours the heart of my brother; this morning I myself despatched a chasqui after the mosotones who were conducting the pale maiden to the toldería of the Puelches, with an order to retrace their steps."
The countenance of the chief cleared up.
"My sister is good!" he said; "Antinahuel, he will remember."
"Let my brother consent, then, to do what the great warrior of the palefaces desires."
"Let my brother speak," the chief continued gravely.
"We must, if we wish to succeed, act with the rapidity of lightning," said Don Pancho; "collect all your warriors, and let their rendezvous be upon the Bio Bio. We will gain possession of Concepción by a coup-de-main; and if our movements are prompt, we shall be masters of Santiago, the capital, before they have time to raise the necessary troops to oppose their passage."
"Good!" Antinahuel replied. "My brother is a skilful chief; he will succeed."
"Yes, but we must use despatch above everything."
"My brother will see," the Toqui said, laconically.
"My brother," he added to Black Stag, "will send off the quipu and the lance of fire; in ten suns, thirty thousand warriors will be assembled on the plain of Conderkanki. I have spoken—begone."