"Back, all of you," Tahi-Mari shouted in a thundering voice, "these men are inviolable!"
The Indian stopped as if by enchantment.
"The word of an Ulmen is sacred," the half-breed continued. "Let these chiefs return to the lodges of their white brothers; my brothers will show these perfidious Spaniards that the great chiefs of the twelve Molucho nations are as merciful as they are powerful."
Don Pedro and Don Juan, after escaping the peril that menaced them, prepared to depart.
"A moment," said Tahi-Mari; "you will not leave the camp alone; follow me."
And leaving the council lodge, he pointed towards his wigwam, in front of the two officers and their escort of lanceros, who had awaited them at the door.
On reaching the door of his abode, Diego went in, but came out again almost immediately, holding by the hand a veiled female.
"There," he said, addressing Don Juan, "take away this girl, who wearies me, and whose verses no longer possess any charms for me; perhaps she will succeed in pleasing some of the soldiers, for she is Spanish."
Then with a rapid movement he tore off the veil that concealed the prisoner's features, and pushed her towards the officers.
"Inez!" the latter exclaimed, in horror.