The Black Stag bowed, and left the cuarto without reply.
"Is my brother content?" asked Antinahuel.
"Yes," the general replied; "and I will soon prove to my brother that I also can keep my promises."
The Toqui gave orders for striking the camp. An hour later, a long file of horsemen disappeared in the depths of the virgin forest which formed the limits of the plain.
Doña Maria and Bustamente were in high spirits; they both thought their object nearly obtained; they imagined they were on the point of seeing realised the hope they had so long nourished.
[CHAPTER XXII.]
DELIRIUM.
It had been very unwillingly that Don Tadeo de León consented to resume that power which he had so gladly once laid down when he thought tranquillity was re-established. Dull and silent he followed the troop, who appeared rather to escort a state prisoner than the man they judged to be alone able to save his country.
For some time the storm had been expending its fury, and Don Tadeo seemed to be revived by the fiery breath of the tempest; he cast away his hat, that the rain might bathe his burning brow; with his hair flowing in the wind and his eyes flashing wildly, he dug his spurs into his horse's sides, and rushed forward shouting—