Thus answered Piñone, who shuddered as he recalled the scenes through which he had wandered as the captive of the Traucos.
As he spoke, Sir Francis, Lady Vane, Topsie, Freddy, and Harry arrived upon the scene; the first and the last being at once recognised by Piñone, who grasped their hands cordially, at the same time congratulating Topsie on her escape. Of course she had to relate all the circumstances of her recapture and deliverance, and hear in turn from Piñone and Cuastral how they had managed to elude their pursuers. The latter explained how both he and his son had adopted similar tactics in climbing a high tree, and remaining concealed in its thick bushy top, while the Traucos hunted the forest below. Their experience amongst these hairy people had taught them the fact, that although they possessed strong nasal powers for following ground scent, these powers did not extend further, and that they rarely sought to use them save in the former capacity. Thus the fugitives had remained safe in their perch, from which they had not descended for several hours. They had then betaken themselves to the heights in the hope of sighting some hilltops, which they might recognise, and which would serve as a guide to direct them in their flight. Then the rifle shots had attracted their attention, and made them certain that the rescue party, which Topsie had told them she felt sure would come to her aid, was in the vicinity. After watching for some time they had caught sight of it, and had sought to attract its attention by wavings and gesticulations, with what success we already know.
Seated in the shade of the forest, the whole party feasted on the luscious apples, piñones, and araucarias that abounded, and rested after the real hard work they had undergone. The appearance which Piñone and his father presented was wild in the extreme, their hair having grown long and matted, while the roughly made skin clothing which they wore, added to their generally savage aspect. Harry and Topsie could not help comparing them with the smart, well-appointed men whom they had known two years previously, and mutually agreed that it was quite impossible for two people to be more unlike than the Cuastral and Piñone whom they had formerly known, and the Cuastral and Piñone whom they now saw before them.
Suffering, hardship, and superstitious dread had left their marks on Cuastral. The tall, stately Araucanian looked considerably aged, and grey hairs mingled thickly with the dark ones. His features were furrowed deeply, and testified to the sufferings which he had endured. After the first excitement and joy of this strange, unlooked-for, and unforeseen meeting had worn off, the thoughts of Aniwee flew away to her child, and she found herself growing anxious and nervous about it. And Piñone, too, when she had related the stirring events of the past few days, was not a little distressed at the thought that La Guardia Chica was in the power of Inacayal, though he tried to reassure Aniwee and dispel her fears. She continued restless and miserable, however, and Sir Francis, noticing the nervous, yearning look in her face, gave the order to set out once more for the borders of the forest, where her followers were bivouacked, awaiting her.
It was a rough and stiff march, but aided by Shag, who guided them to the wild horse track, they reached their destination at last.
Feverish and eager to hear if there was good or bad news awaiting her, Aniwee had pushed on ahead, and as the sun, shooting its last farewell to-day, cast over the plain its warm, soft glow, she halted on the forest’s edge, and looked eagerly towards the bivouac. Then she started and uttered a low cry, as her eyes fell on Mary and Willie standing by the camp fire, and Graviel not far away, walking moodily up and down beside a figure stretched out upon the ground, and which appeared to lay motionless.
She could understand Willie and Mary being there, but the sight of Graviel increased her forebodings of evil. Had she not, in giving him the charge of her child, enjoined him not to leave her side for a moment? Yet there was Graviel, but where La Guardia Chica?
He heard the cry, and raised his head, which had sunk upon his breast as he kept guard over Kai Chileno. Then, as he caught sight of the Queen, he uttered a deep groan, but at once moved forward to meet her. In a moment she felt and knew the worst instinctively, the dread of a great evil overcame her, and she stood still covering her face with her hands and trembling in every limb.
“Queen, have mercy; forgive Graviel!” she heard him imploring, and in a moment she had burst out wildly:
“Graviel, where is La Guardia Chica?”