The morning plunge over, every one reassembled for breakfast round the fire which Graviel had kindled, and upon which he was cooking some venison. The maté bowl went round, a fair supply of meat was apportioned to each person for present needs, and a good supply was half cooked and pegged out to dry in the sun, to be carried on for future use.
“The sun is well up; I think we should be starting, Piñone,” put in Sir Francis suddenly, as he saw the maté bowl reach its last recipient. “As there is no sign of Aniwee, Chorlo, and Coquet, I suppose they have not fallen in with Indians as yet, and will therefore await us at Gatchenhaik.”
“The Señor speaks well,” answered the Indian Cacique, as he rose and gave the order to form into marching order—that is to say, Indian file.
It should be explained that Aniwee and the two Indian girls mentioned, had preceded the party the previous day, and had proceeded towards the pampas, in the hopes of coming across some Tehuelche hunting parties, and securing horses upon which to return to Araucanian territory. They were directing their steps for Lake Nahuel Hualpi, which occupied the pampas at the entrance to the mountain region somewhat higher up. Thus the party set out in Indian file, each person carrying his or her portion of meat, as well as ammunition and rifle, our white friends being, moreover, overburdened with a change of clothing each, so that all were pretty well loaded. It was extremely hot, walking was trying, and the baby Cacique had begun to vent her displeasure in a series of protesting miniature yells, when Willie sung out—
“Holloa! look there, mother!”
Lady Vane and the others did look, and what they saw made them joyful indeed, for there, coming over a distant hill, was a troop of horses with Aniwee at their head, and a group of Indians bringing up the rear.
“Hip, hip, hoorah!” shouted Harry and Freddy together, and then the latter added, in a delighted tone, “Bless you, Aniwee, you are a trump!”
The moment that the young Queen sighted the weary travellers she put her horse into a canter, and came flying along to meet them. In a few minutes she had reached them.
“Good news!” she cried exultingly, as she rode up. “Gilwinikush and a thousand Tehuelches are on the borders of the Great Lagoon. I heard of it from a hunting party of my own people, with whom I, Chorlo, and Coquet fell in on the plain of Telcke. They were on their way to join him, so I sent on Chorlo and Coquet to tell him of our coming, and myself returned with these horses here. See, Warriors,” she continued, pointing to the welcome troupiglia, “here are horses in plenty. The Indians need walk no more.”
A short halt was made to enable every one to tidy and furbish themselves up. Coming off such an expedition as that on which they had been engaged, as may be readily supposed, no one looked as if he or she had come out of a bandbox! The whites were all tremendously sunburnt, and rocks, thorns, and dense jungles had played havoc with their clothes.