“What else, but a forward march at once, and an attack on the Cristianos,” answered the Indian girl quickly. “Is it not enough to make our blood burn angrily, to feel that we are as yet so far away from our hated foe?”
In effect, what Aniwee had foretold was soon verified, for toldos were struck, and hasty preparations were made for an immediate departure. Large troupiglias of horses were driven up, and in less than two hours from the statement of the young Queen, the whole of the immense cavalcade was on the march in Indian file. Gilwinikush calculated that it would take him quite three days to reach the borders of Patagonian and Araucanian land, but he had decided to camp finally north-westward of Geylum, a spot situated some forty miles south of the frontier, where there was water and game in abundance, and where, leaving the bulk of the camp in charge of three hundred of his warriors, he could advance with some seven hundred to co-operate with Cuastral against the common enemy.
The young people enjoyed the march over the plains tremendously. The Patagonian Cacique had placed plenty of horses at their disposal, and permitted them to accompany the severally detached bands of hunters whose business it was to provide food for the multitude.
Freddy, Willie, and Mary became quite versed in the art of throwing the bolas and lasso, and many was the spin which they had after fleet ostriches, and still fleeter guanacos, generally ending in the triumph of the latter, and the intense fatigue of Shag.
The sun was setting low, when one evening the whole cavalcade rode into the valley which girt the plain of Geylum. This valley extended for several miles, abruptly terminating in a long narrow lake, fringed in with shady trees and fallen rocks. Westward, rough hills rose up, jagged and precipitous, forming a capital barrier against attack, the lake serving the same purpose in front and on the right, while the narrow rear alone required protection.
It was here that the Tehuelche Cacique had determined to pitch the toldos, as being an unexceptionally safe position for them, and one easily defended.
And it was from here that the following morning a column of seven hundred warriors rode forth, headed by Gilwinikush, Piñone, and Aniwee, and bound for Las Manzanas.
Accompanying this force were Sir Francis, and Lady Vane and their children, as well as Harry and Topsie, besides whom were Graviel, Blancha, Chorlo, Coquet, and the Araucanian following. The baby Cacique was left in the charge of Keoken, Aniwee’s mother, to be cared for by her until the war was over.
Scouts sent out had reported the existence of a white force encamped between the border line and Las Manzanas, and Gilwinikush, after holding a council of war, had determined to try and surprise them, for the Cristianos, intent on taking their Araucanian foes by stratagem, knew nothing of the approaching force of Tehuelche allies in their rear.
A forced march of thirty-five miles brought these latter within ten miles or so of the Cristianos’ camp. Here they bivouacked in a low valley with a running stream, wherein the abundance of grass ensured good feeding for the horses; and it was decided that with the break of day an advance should be made upon the white foe, and a determined effort made to drive them from their position once and for all. After a hurried meal, therefore, of dried meat, every one lay down to rest, intent on obtaining as much repose as possible, in view of the hard work before them.