Don Gregorio asked the senator to be the bearer of the double news of the battle gained over the Indians—a battle in which he, Don Ramón, had taken so large a share of the glory—and the unexpected escape of General Bustamente.
Don Ramón accepted with a proud smile of satisfaction a mission in every way so honourable to him. As soon as the despatches, which Don Gregorio wrote at once, were ready, he mounted his horse, and, escorted by fifty lancers, set out for Santiago.
[CHAPTER XI.]
THE JOURNEY.
After his interview with Don Tadeo, Valentine had scarcely taken time to bid the young count farewell, but had instantly departed, followed by Trangoil-Lanec and his inseparable Newfoundland dog.
The morning on which the sanguinary battle we have described was fought in the Canyon del Rio Seco, Valentine and Trangoil-Lanec were marching side by side, followed closely by Cæsar. The two men were talking while they cracked a biscuit, which they washed down from time to time with a little smilax water, contained in a gourd, which hung at the girdle of Trangoil-Lanec.
"Why chief," said Valentine, laughing, "you drive me to despair with your indifference."
"What does my brother mean?" the astonished Indian said.
"Caramba! We are traversing the most ravishing landscape in the world, and you pay no more attention to all these beauties than to the granite masses yonder in the horizon."