"Let my brother explain; if I can grant it I will," Antinahuel observed.
"Well!" the young man replied; "you yesterday took many prisoners—give them up to me."
"Those prisoners are free," the Toqui said with a forced smile; "they have already rejoined their brothers."
Louis now understood whence the unexpected increase of the garrison had come.
"I have nothing more to do, then, but to retire," he continued.
"Oh! your pardon! your pardon!" the senator exclaimed, "I was one of the prisoners!"
"That is true," Don Pancho observed; "what does my brother say?"
"Oh! let the man go," Antinahuel replied.
Don Ramón did not require this to be repeated; he followed the count closely. Louis bowed courteously to the chiefs, and regained the summit of the rock, where his companions awaited him with great anxiety.
A few hours later the gorge had fallen back again into its customary solitude, which was alone troubled at intervals by the flight of condors, or the terrified course of guanacos.