"Are you the persons I seek?" Joan asked.
"Yes, but in the hut, and by the light of a candle, we shall recognise each other better than here."
The three men entered the hut, followed by the dog. Without losing time, Trangoil-Lanec took out his mechero, struck a light, and lit a candle.
"Good!" he said, "it is he whom Curumilla once sent to Valdivia."
"Yes," Joan replied.
Joan pressed that loyal hand, Trangoil-Lanec turned towards Joan, saying—
"I expected last night, at sunset, the arrival of Curumilla and two friends."
Joan bowed respectfully, and drew from his belt the piece of stuff which Curumilla had sent.
"A piece of Curumilla's poncho!" Trangoil-Lanec exclaimed violently. "Of what terrible news are you the bearer?"
"The news I bring is bad; nevertheless, at the time I left them, Curumilla and his companions were in safety, and unwounded."