[CHAPTER XXXII.]
AFTER THE BATTLE.
For some time the young men followed at a distance the march of the Chilian army, which advanced slowly, though in good order, towards the Bio Bio. They crossed, at a foot's pace, the plain where the day before the sanguinary battle had been fought between the Indians and the Chilians.
"Why do we not hasten to quit this accursed place?" Valentine asked.
"We have a duty to fulfil," Louis replied solemnly.
"A duty to fulfil?" said Valentine.
"Yes," the young me continued, "would you leave our poor Joan without sepulture?"
"Thank you for having reminded me of it; oh, you are better than I am, you forget nothing."
"Do not calumniate yourself."
In a short time they arrived at the spot where Joan and General Bustamente had fallen. The foster brothers remained for a few instants, drew their sabres and dug a deep hole, in which they buried the two enemies.