Outside, his war-horse stood ready, and the chief, mounting hastily, departed, followed by over five hundred warriors, many of whose homes lay in the threatened north, and who were therefore anxious to set forth to its rescue or defence, as the case might be.
It wanted several hours to sunset, and Mary and Willie employed the time in wandering about the camp, making friends with the women, children, and animals, which appeared to abound in every direction, picking out here and there one of the former who could speak Spanish, and with whom, in consequence, conversation was possible. Meanwhile Guaitu, in his position of commander, was going the rounds of the camp, looking into the toldos, and assuring himself that all was snug and in order for the night. He was followed by an Indian lad carrying a large skin of spirits, out of which Guaitu was pleased to give to every man and woman whom he visited a small draught, telling them that Inacayal had left it, that they might drink to the health and success of the warriors, whom he was leading against the foe.
Unsuspectingly, every one accepted the proffered draught. The Indians are fond of, and will rarely refuse an offer of spirits. How could they know that the traitor Guaitu had previously drugged this liquor, so that soon after taking it they would sleep heavily and without danger of awakening? They could not know it, of course; yet such had been done by Inacayal’s scheming tool. When the conspirator arrived at the chief tolderia he paused and listened. Blancha was singing in a low voice to the baby Queen, and he could hear the measured breathing of poor Graviel, whom the woman had bidden sleep while she watched beside his little charge. Lifting the skin flap which covered the opening to the tolderia, Guaitu entered with a soft smile, and an air of interested solicitude on his face.
“Is all well with the young Cacique?” he inquired softly; yet quietly as he spoke the sound aroused Graviel, who started up from the skin couch on which he lay and stared at the intruder, at the same time grasping his spear.
“Ah! no fear, Graviel,” said Guaitu soothingly. “There is no harm intended;” and he proceeded to explain to the youth how Inacayal had departed with all the warriors, leaving the camp in his charge.
“And he bade me bring to you and Blancha a draught of war cordial, and bid you drink to the health and success of the Queen’s warriors and the defeat of her foes,” continued Guaitu cunningly. Now, neither Blancha nor Graviel desired the draught, but to have refused it would have been to lay themselves open to the charge of desiring evil to the warriors of their tribe, therefore they accepted it as had done the others, and drank, as they had been requested to do, to the health and success of the warriors and to the defeat of the Queen’s foes. This was exactly what Guaitu desired; and as he watched the cordial go down, he chuckled to himself ominously, and muttered the words, “All goes well.” Then he bent over the baby Cacique, who had sunk into a peaceful sleep. “How quietly she lies,” he said a little anxiously. “You are sure, Blancha, that all is well with her?”
“Ay, all is well,” answered the girl curtly. She did not love Guaitu, and he knew it.
“Then watch her carefully, girl,” he continued as he turned to go. “If evil befel the little Cacique in the absence of the Warrior Queen and Inacayal, heavy would be the blame that Guaitu would have to bear.”
“Have no fear,” answered the Indian girl coldly. “In our care the Guardia Chica is safe.”
Alas! Blancha could not look into the future and see what was coming. She was haughty and confident in her own powers and those of Graviel to protect and guard their precious charge.