“How know I that?” answered the youth. “Graviel is not in the confidence of the evil one. But shall I tell the great Queen all that which I witnessed after her departure to meet the great white chiefs?”
Aniwee bowed her head. “Speak,” was all she said.
“It was thus, great Queen,” proceeded the youth excitedly. “I had surrendered the young Cacique to Blancha’s care according to the Queen’s command, and had gone outside the tolderia to keep my customary watch over the safety of the Pride of Piñone’s heart. I had watched the Queen and warriors up the valley out of sight, and having nothing else to do, strolled round the tolderias. Then it was that I thought I heard a rustling sound not far away. I halted, and stood still. Suddenly I saw gliding through the forest, like snakes crawl, the forms of several white-faced men. I ground my teeth as I recognised the hated Cristianos. There might have been six of them, though of their number I took no note; for, like the wailing of a sad blast at night, a despairing cry arose within the tolderia of the Queen. Next moment I saw a man spring forth through a rent in the hide, carrying something in his arms. Then arose once more the despairing cry, and I recognised the voice of Blancha. If I had doubted, my doubt was at once dispelled, for behold she came springing through the rent in the tolderia, her face distorted with fear and passion. At once the good Gualichu opened my eyes. I divined the cause. The Cristiano, whom I had seen spring forth from the toldo, had robbed the Araucanians of their brightest jewel. Guardia, under my especial care, had been stolen! As the lightning shoots from heaven, thus did Graviel spring to the rescue. With a cry of fury I rushed upon the loathsome creature, and before he was aware of my intention had torn the young Cacique from his grasp. Blancha rushed forward. I gave her the babe, then turned to face as best I could the men that pressed upon me. I fought desperately. Was not the treasure of Aniwee’s heart in peril? I would die, I resolved, ere harm again befel the young Cacique. My shouts brought around me the few men left in camp and the women as well. But the Cristianos seemed to swell in numbers. They came over the hill and pressed us sorely, and though we fought desperately we were driven back. I felt the cold steel of a Cristiano’s blade strike into my cheek, then my arm fell powerless by my side under a furious blow, and next the same cold steel struck into my leg. My eyes grew dizzy, pain made my brain reel, and I thought that death hovered above me. Then, my Queen, I heard thy war cry, I heard the thunder of thy warriors’ steeds, and Graviel knew that Guardia was saved.”
“Brave Graviel! Aniwee thanks thee deeply,” answered the young Queen with much emotion. “Inacayal, thou hast judged him wrongly.”
“Aniwee, thou art too trustful. I bid thee beware,” exclaimed the Cacique addressed. “Thou art nursing a snake in thy bosom.”
But the Queen waved him angrily on one side.
“Go, Graviel,” she commanded, turning to the young warrior; “go, wash thy wounds; Blancha will aid thee. Then lay thee on the couch which is next to that of the young Cacique, and Aniwee will, with her own hands, bring thee a draught of soothing medicine water. Aniwee will never forget how thou hast saved to her the child of her heart. Brave Graviel, thou hast thy Queen’s gratitude.”
Graviel’s eyes sparkled with pleasure as he raised his hand to his forehead in humble obeisance, and then turned to obey the will of his Queen; but the eyes of Inacayal shone with a malignant hatred which he could ill conceal. As Aniwee entered the toldo of her child he cast after her a meaning look, muttering as he strode away:
“The vicuña may strive to protect its young, but the power of the condor is greater. Yet shall Inacayal triumph.”
An hour later a great feast was held in the Queen’s tolderia, where Aniwee right royally entertained her guests. A cow had been killed, and some sheep as well, and these were roasted whole around a monster fire, where the braves of Aniwee were congregated. Loud was the rejoicing over the defeat of the hated Cristianos, and dire were the threats of vengeance which the Warriors promised to wreak in their next frontier raid. High and mighty were the speeches delivered and stories recounted of the deeds of valour performed by the speaker’s ancestors; yet when Aniwee stepped forth from the chief toldo and stood quietly in the gleam of the great fire, one long loud shout went up, and then silence fell.