To describe the anguish which poor Harry suffered when he saw his beloved sister on the verge of freedom, snatched therefrom by the big powerful Trauco, is not easy; nor can the consternation of Sir Frances, Lady Vane, and their son be adequately gauged. For a few seconds they stood staring in front of them, despair written on their features and horror in their eyes. Not so Shag. Barking furiously, he sprung forward, tearing the leash that held him from Harry’s grasp, and then crest on end, and with every fibre in his body strained to its utmost, he set off in pursuit of the Trauco that bore from him his beloved mistress. His decided action awoke the others from their stupor. Unslinging their rifles, they followed as quickly as they could in the wake of the baying Labrador, whose deep notes could be heard mounting higher and higher in the direction of the realms of snow.
The ascent proved of no ordinary difficulty. As they mounted the steep forest slope, they came upon big, frowning and jagged rocks, whose perpendicular faces and peaked crests proved almost inaccessible. How Shag had managed to negotiate them was a perfect marvel to every one.
For some time the dog’s baying, though faint, sounding as if some distance off, appeared to be stationary, a proof, as Sir Frances surmised, that the Trauco had taken refuge with his captive in some inaccessible spot beyond the reach of the Labrador. This idea filled them with a new hope, and spurred on their drooping energies to renewed exertion.
Guided by Shag’s savage barks and loud prolonged howls, the rescue party, after a long, desperate, and arduous struggle, reached the spot where the dog was standing. It was a deep crevassed rock, above which a sheet of straight precipice ascended to a ledge above, and leading inward from this ledge they perceived a cave. Was it possible that the Trauco had taken refuge therein? By what human means had he managed to scale the perpendicular face which led up to it? Surely Shag was at fault?
But Shag was not at fault, and he plainly said so. If a pair of faithful brown eyes could speak, then his distinctly did so, and they declared that the Trauco and Topsie were above.
If they had doubted, all doubt was quickly dispelled when a low whistle sounded from the cave. It was a signal well known to Harry, a mode of communication which he and Topsie had practised from their earliest days, when as little children they had played hide-and-seek together. It was a whistle which Shag knew full well likewise, for on hearing it he pricked his ears, wagged his tail, and barked louder than ever.
“Topsie, darling, we will save you; keep up heart,” called out Harry encouragingly; and as he spoke his eyes devoured the steep face above him. Then he perceived the means by which the Trauco had ascended, as a coil of green lichens arrested his gaze. They were clinging to a long thick stem similar to what is seen on ivy trees, but more extended in dimensions.
“See, Uncle Francis! Look, Aunt Ruby!” he cried excitedly; “that is how the brute reached yon ledge, but he has drawn it up after him. Oh! what shall we do?”
Here the quiet voice of Aniwee interposed. “Will the white Caciques be guided by Aniwee?” she inquired. “There is but one way to destroy the Trauco. Still the barking of the dog, and bid him crouch down, and then let each of us, with rifle ready, secrete ourselves behind these rocks, and keep a steady eye upon the cave. When all is silent the Trauco will come and look out, and the moment he shows himself we must fire at the same time. If we kill him, or wound him mortally, the white Cacique will be saved. But first call out and tell her how we purpose acting.”