“Be it so,” he answered sullenly. “If I must know I must; but first promise me my life, Cuastral.”
The Araucanian chief bent his eyes fiercely upon the speaker.
“Thy life, Kai Chileno, depends entirely on the life of La Guardia Chica. Speak quickly, or you die.”
“Even so,” answered the prisoner. “Inacayal framed the plot. It was arranged that I should ride into the Queen’s camp and report a raid from the Cristianos on the north, and that I should bring with me a child of the same age as the young Cacique. Inacayal’s object was to withdraw Aniwee and her warriors from the Araucanian camp, and when they were gone Guaitu was to drug those who remained, including Blancha and Graviel. Then, while all slept, the young Cacique was to be stolen by Guaitu, and the other child put in its place, the little Queen being handed to me. All this was done, with the exception, that Inacayal took Aniwee’s place during her absence with the Señors.”
“And where is La Guardia Chica?” cried Aniwee, springing forward and glaring fiercely at the man who had robbed her of her child.
Kai Chileno smiled. There was a gleam of triumph in his eyes as he replied carelessly:
“Of a certain, O Queen, I know not now. But I left her upon the hill we call ‘Traucos’ Rest,’ and as I rode away, I saw the Traucos issue from the forest and cluster round the babe. Of a sooth she is a Trauco’s baby now.”
He ceased suddenly, as with a savage yell Graviel sprang upon him like a wild beast, and bore him to the ground.
