Quick as lightning Topsie did as she was bid, and the Trauco on coming to her side found her, to all appearance, asleep. Piñone made pretence to be lazily peeling some bark off a small branch which he held in his hand, and Cuastral, to all intents, like Topsie, was indulging in a peaceful doze.
Satisfied with his inspection the Trauco withdrew, and Topsie and the old chief were free to reopen their eyes. They judged it, however, prudent to preserve the same attitudes, for fear of another inspection.
“And now,” continued Piñone, “will not the white Cacique join in our flight this night? It is arranged that we steal forth silently when all are asleep, make our way across the valley and into the forest opposite, travelling as far as we can till light dawns, and then secreting ourselves as best we may till the return of night. There is a chance of escape. From what you tell me, we are no more than two days’ march from the land of Cuastral, and such an opportunity may never present itself again. Piñone has spoken.”
“But how can I join you?” inquired Topsie anxiously. “I shall probably be confined in a different hut to you.”
“No,” answered Cuastral, who here interposed; “the Trauco never mixes with his captives; and as there are only four huts, you will assuredly be placed in the one which I and my son occupy. Say, O white Cacique, will you join with us in our attempt to regain the freedom that we crave?”
“I will,” answered Topsie, screwing up her courage to make the desperate attempt.
“It is well,” replied the Cacique laconically; “midnight will be the hour.”
A whistle at this juncture sounded, and the two Araucanians at once arose and walked over to where the Traucos were seated, receiving from one of them several apples, araucarias, piñones, and strips of dried meat, with which they retired to their hut. At the same time Topsie’s captor came over to where she lay with her portion in his hands, and after handing it to her laid his hand gently on her arm, and drew her towards the hut occupied by Cuastral. With a feeling of relief the girl obeyed his unmistakable sign to enter it, and her relief was shared by her companions in misfortune.
They made a hearty meal, not knowing when they might taste food again, and then all three lay down apparently to rest. Really tired and worn out, Topsie soon fell asleep. No sham about it on this occasion; and when about an hour later the Trauco made his last rounds of inspection, he found her buried in a profound slumber, with Cuastral and Piñone apparently fast asleep beside her. Uttering a low purr of content, the Trauco withdrew, and entered his own dwelling.
It must have been midnight, when Topsie was awakened by a hand being laid across her mouth. So startled was she, that she would have cried out, only the hand prevented her from doing so. Suddenly recollection came to her aid, and she then remembered the desperate enterprise upon which she and her companions were bent.