“It is true!” she murmured; “and yet it was Piñone, my beloved Piñone, who made his people love me. He always called Aniwee their Warrior Queen, and it was he who gave her her first lessons in war. Piñone, love of Aniwee’s heart, where art thou?”
A plaintive, far-away look shone in the dark eyes of the young Warrior Queen as the memory of her beloved shot across her. Topsie was just meditating some cheerful remark, to drive away, if possible, sad thoughts from the girl’s mind, when shouts and yells were suddenly borne up the valley on the soft evening breeze. They came from the direction of the Indian camp. A look of horror overspread the features of Aniwee. Full well she knew the meaning of those cries. Reining up her horse, she turned suddenly round, and faced her warriors.
“Inacayal!” she called out in a commanding voice; “where art thou, cousin?”
In a moment the Cacique was by her side.
“Heard you not the war cry, Inacayal, or did Aniwee dream?” she inquired anxiously.
“The Queen did not dream,” he answered, with flashing eyes. “Hark! there it is again. Bid Inacayal speed quickly to the tolderias with two hundred of these warriors, and do thou, O Queen, remain here with the great white Caciques, in the care of the remaining hundred.”
A gleam of anger flashed in the girl’s eyes as she fixed them on the scheming chief.
“What!” she exclaimed proudly, “I, the Warrior Queen, skulk, hiding like a poltroon, behind my men? Inacayal, you are a strange counsellor. Know, however, that I will it otherwise. I will lead the two hundred to the rescue, and do you, with the remaining hundred, guard my guests. Do you hear, Inacayal! It is my command.”
A vicious, disappointed look came over the Cacique’s face, but he had no alternative than to obey. In quick, rapid tones Aniwee issued her orders, and then hurriedly explained the situation to Harry and Topsie, imploring them to remain where they were with their uncle, aunt, and cousins, “for,” she added significantly, “when the Indian’s blood is up, he might not distinguish you from the Cristianos, and then your fates would be death. Farewell for the moment. Aniwee goes to restore peace and defend her child.”
As she spoke she struck her silver spurs into her horse’s side, and with a loud cry sped along the valley, followed by the two hundred Araucanians whom she had bidden attend her.