A desire, however, to cut as smart a figure as possible before the Patagonians, whom they would so shortly meet, contributed to the zest with which the Araucanians made their toilets. The sight of the horses, and the knowledge that there were toldos and comforts ahead, had raised the spirits of every one; and the hardships of the past weeks of toil and severe work were quickly forgotten in the pleasant rencontre of the moment. At length every one had mounted, and the cavalcade which set forth for the Nahuel Hualpi Lagoon was by no means an unimposing one.
A ride of three or more hours through rock-strewn gorges, across narrow valley plains and occasional brushwood thickets, brought the whole party at length on to the border line which marked the point where the hilly region ceased, and the vast stretching pampas began. The sight of them raised Harry’s spirits to the highest pitch, and he began whooping and cheering like an Indian in full war-paint, much to the amusement of all the other Indians.
His antics, however, came suddenly to an abrupt conclusion, as over the horizon of a low hillocky ridge, dust appeared to rise up like smoke, and the noise of many horses galloping resounded across the plain. In a moment every eye was fixed and every ear open, intent on the sight and sounds before, and rapidly nearing them.
A long line of mounted horsemen were advancing at topmost speed, horsemen whose size looked gigantic against the sky line, but whose figures were small when compared with the tall and magnificent Indian that rode at their head. In a moment Aniwee had recognised him, and with a cry of joy had put her horse into full swing, and sent him galloping over the pampas to meet the stately giant. This was no other than the great Cacique, Gilwinikush, her father, and paramount head of the Tehuelche or Patagonian Indians.
As the chief caught sight of the slim, graceful figure of his only child, he raised his hand, brought his horse abruptly on to its haunches, becoming motionless thereon, the Tehuelches behind him doing likewise. Then, as Aniwee galloped up, a hoarse shout of welcome greeted the young Queen, who the next moment was clasped in her father’s arms. More than a year had elapsed since they had met, and the meeting was a joyful and happy one. The chief had received from Coquet and Chorlo a hurried sketch of all that had happened during the past few weeks, and was therefore not wholly in the dark as to the reason of this unexpected meeting.
When the party rode up, Gilwinikush at once recognised Harry, Topsie, and Sir Francis Vane, but had to be introduced to the others. He received them with stately courtesy and with becoming Indian dignity, though he could not quite dispel the smile of happiness which hovered round his lips as his eyes sought the face of his child.
“Gilwinikush salutes the great chiefs and his old friends, and bids them welcome,” he said in a voice the genuine ring whereof could not be mistaken, and then the whole party proceeded on its way towards the big lagoon, around which the toldos of his tribe were pitched. As they neared it, they could see numerous mounted Indians awaiting their approach, while crowds of women and children pressed forward to catch a glimpse of their young chieftainess, the news of her approach having spread like wild fire.
“Just like coming home, eh, Topsie?” said Harry in his happy, eager voice, as brother and sister rode side by side, picking out faces that they knew, and recognising old friends. “All’s well that ends well. We’ve had an awfully jolly expedition, and one that I shall look back to as long as I live, sha’n’t you?”
“Rather,” answered Topsie. “It has been a very happy time.”
