The scene was indescribable. The canoe was rapidly hastening to the cataract, in whose foam it was already enveloped.
Martin Paz, standing on a rock, balanced his lasso which whistled around his head. At the instant the boat was about to be precipitated, the long leathern thong unfolded from above the head of the Indian, and surrounded the canoe with its noose.
"My daughter! my daughter!" exclaimed Don Vegal.
"My betrothed! my beloved!" cried Martin Paz.
"Death!" yelled the savage multitude.
Meanwhile Martin Paz redoubles his efforts; the canoe remains suspended over the abyss; the current cannot prevail over the strength of the young Indian; the canoe is drawn to him; the enemies are far on the opposite shore; the young girl is saved.
Suddenly an arrow whistles through the air, and pierces the heart of Martin Paz. He falls forward in the bark of the victim; and, re-descending the current of the river in her arms, is engulfed with Sarah in the vortex of the cataract.
A yell of triumph is heard above the sound of the torrent.
Liberta bore off the Spaniard amid a cloud of arrows, and disappeared with him.
Don Vegal regained Lima, where he died with grief and exhaustion.