"Companions!" he shouted, as he leaped on the back of his mustang, "to Santiago at full gallop!"
A whirlwind of dust rose, enveloping men and horses, who disappeared on the horizon. Two days later, a young lady on horseback was riding by the side of a litter carried by two mules, in which lay an old man, and a military surgeon and fifty lanceros escorted them. They were Maria de Soto-Mayor, the general her father, and the doctor, who were proceeding to Santiago.
[CHAPTER XXXI.]
THE CAMP OF THE MOLUCHOS
When Tahi-Mari reached the council lodge, the great Molucho chiefs were already assembled. A compact crowd of Indian warriors silently surrounded the approaches of the lodge, and pressed forward to hear the resolutions which were going to be formed by the Ulmens.
On perceiving the formidable toqui of the Moluchos, the warriors respectfully fell back to let him pass, and Tahi-Mari entered the hut. His face was haughty and frowning, and everything about him indicated pride and resolution. He sat down on the trunk of a tree reserved for him, and which enabled him to survey the assembly. After looking round him for a moment, he began to speak—
"For what purpose have my brothers, the Ulmens of the twelve nations, assembled?" he asked.
"The pale-faces," Huachacuyac replied, "have sent two great chiefs to discuss peace with us."