"Very well. If tomorrow, by the third hour of the day, he is not given up to us safe and sound, the hostages we have taken, and more than eighty others, will be shot within sight of the two camps."
"You will do as you please, but this man shall die!" the chief replied, coldly.
"Oh! that is the case, is it? Very well! I, Don Gregorio Peralta, swear to you, on my part, that I will strictly keep the promise I have made you."
And turning his horse sharply round he departed.
And yet there was more bravado than anything else in the threat made by Antinahuel. If pride had not prevented him, he would have renewed the parley. He returned to his camp buried in thought, and went straight to his toldo. The Linda, who was seated in a corner upon sheepskins, was as much absorbed in thought as the chief; Doña Rosario had fallen asleep. At the sight of the young girl the chief experienced a peculiar emotion, the blood flowed back forcibly to his heart, and springing towards her, he imprinted a burning kiss upon her half-open lips, Doña Rosario, suddenly awakened, bounded to the extremity of the toldo, uttering a cry of terror.
"What is the meaning of all this?" the chief exclaimed angrily; "Whence comes this terror?"
And he took several steps towards her.
"Advance no further! advance no further! in Heavens name!" she shrieked.
"What is the use of all this folly? You are mine."
"Never!" she said, in an agony of grief.