"Oh! If I were able to get on horseback," the young man cried.
At this moment the door opened, and a peon who entered said a few words in a low voice to Don Tadeo.
"Let him come in! let him come in!" the latter cried, and turning towards Louis added, "We are about to hear some news."
An Indian entered; it was Joan, the man Curumilla had been unwilling to kill.
[CHAPTER II.]
JOAN.
The sordid clothes which covered the person of the Indian were stained with mud, and torn by thorns and briers. It was evident that he had made a hasty journey through woods and along bad roads. He bowed with modest grace to the three gentlemen, and waited.
"Does not my brother belong to the valiant tribe of the Black Serpents?" Don Tadeo asked.
The Indian made a sign in the affirmative. Don Tadeo was well acquainted with the Indians, and knew that they only spoke when necessity required.