We must return to the Indian camp, where Lady Vane and Freddy had left Mary and Willie when starting to join Sir Francis and Harry on the borders of the forest. As may be imagined, the two younger children were not over-pleased at being left behind. They were, to begin with, very unhappy about their cousin, and longed to take part in the search for her, and the suspense which they suffered, and which they felt they would continue to suffer, was very great. However, as Lady Vane pointed out to them, some one must remain in camp to look after the things; and this giving our young friends somewhat of an air of importance, they resigned themselves to the position, wisely resolving to make the best of it, and do their duty under the circumstances. They had made friends with Blancha and Graviel, both of whom could speak Spanish, and this latter had returned to the head toldo on receiving from Aniwee the guardianship of the baby Cacique, Inacayal, as we have already seen, being placed in command during the Queen-Regent’s absence.
But Aniwee had hardly departed, when a war messenger rode into camp, to announce that hostilities had broken out some twenty miles north, and that he had been sent to implore immediate help.
In the natural course of events, if Aniwee had been in camp, she would have proceeded at once to the relief of her people, and therefore it was not thought strange when Inacayal gave orders that every warrior, save those who had been wounded in the fray of the previous night, should get ready in haste, and be prepared to accompany him at short notice on his northward march against the foe.
As may be imagined, therefore, the Indian camp was denuded of its warriors, and left practically defenceless. No one thought anything of this, as the only foes they had to dread were the Cristianos, and these never attempted to penetrate deeply into Araucanian territory, always attacking its frontier or border line, with the object of driving back the tribes into the forest recesses.
But before taking his departure, Inacayal in the privacy of his toldo held the following strange conversation with one Guaitu, an Araucanian Caciquillo, whom he had appointed to command the camp during his absence, and in that of the Queen’s.
“The baby is safe in your keeping, Guaitu?” he inquired anxiously.
“Safe as though a Trauco held it,” answered the Caciquillo.
“The exchange must be effected to-night,” continued Inacayal in a low voice. “Never will the Gualichu give us such a chance again. Be wary, Guaitu; all depends on thy cunning and address.”
“Guaitu will not fail,” answered the Indian, with a leer. “Ere the sun comes back again, La Guardia Chica will be far away.”
“It is well, Guaitu. Inacayal can put his faith in thee,” exclaimed the Cacique joyfully, as he turned to leave the toldo.