"My brothers, then," he said, "refuse their aid?"
"The chiefs of the four nations can do without us. The war is ended, and this quipu is false. Why, when we came here, instead of presenting us this false quipu, did not Antinahuel tell us frankly that he came in search of his white prisoners, who have escaped? We would have replied to him that these prisoners are henceforward under our protection."
"Is that your resolution," said Antinahuel.
"Yes; and my brother may be assured that we are not men to be easily deceived."
The Toqui rose with rage in his heart.
"You are dogs and old women!" he said; "tomorrow I will come to retake my prisoners."
The two Indians smiled contemptuously, and bowed gravely as a parting salute to their enemy. The Toqui disdained to reply to this ironical courtesy; he turned his back, and re-entered the wood with the same slow, solemn step with which he had arrived, appearing to set his adversaries at defiance. He had scarcely quitted the little camp, when Trangoil-Lanec set off in his track.
Trangoil-Lanec was not long absent; he returned in less than an hour. His companions saw him return with the greatest joy.
"Let my brothers open their ears," he said.
"We are listening, depend upon it," Valentine remarked.