After the choice of volunteers had been made another Council of War was called, and it was agreed that the rescue party should start at midday, having in command Sir Francis Vane and Piñone, and that it should consist besides these two of Aniwee, the remainder of our white friends, Graviel, Blancha, the two girl volunteers, and sixteen young Warriors, who had been selected for their skill in the chase, and for their dexterity in handling the bolas, lasso, and rifle. Cuastral, as head Cacique, was to remain behind to watch and safeguard the authority against which Inacayal had plotted, and which he had so nearly succeeded in overthrowing.
At midday, therefore, every one had assembled, and several pack-horses, well loaded with ammunition and necessaries, had been added to the group. Farewells were hastily exchanged, and the rescue party started off, amidst the fervent good wishes of all, Shag of course accompanying the expedition.
It took them four good hours of hard riding before they reached the spot known to the Araucanians as Traucos’ Rest. The place was so called because these hairy people often appeared thereon in small groups at a certain time every year, and seemed to make it a kind of halting or resting-place; but they never remained long, and always took their departure soon after their arrival. Piñone, whose experience amongst them now stood the searchers in good stead, declared that the Traucos were a wandering people, never remaining long in one place, and betaking themselves every year to the dense and lonely forests which bordered the most inaccessible heights of the Cordilleras, to reach which passage was made up a deep river, to whose source he and Cuastral had been able to penetrate; and he was confident that the party of Traucos, into whose hands the little Guardia had fallen, were making their way in that direction. He had little hope, he declared, of overtaking them; for the Trauco travels at great speed, a speed which no civilised or semi-civilised human being could hope to emulate. Nevertheless, he did believe, that with Shag’s sagacious assistance they might be able to push rapidly forward on the track of the captors of his child.
“Well, we are in for a lark, and no mistake,” chuckled Freddy to Harry, as the two cousins rode along side by side, talking over the events of the past few days.
“Yes, indeed,” answered the latter gravely; “but Freddy, old chap, it is just a little awe-inspiring when one realises how we are about to plunge into the unknown, from which who knows if we shall ever return.”
“Oh! I say, Harry, you are gloomy indeed,” laughed his cousin lightly. “For myself I have no misgivings, and I look forward to a very jolly time, and all sorts of exciting adventures; at least, I hope so.”
“What’s that?” inquired Topsie, riding up; “what are you two boys talking about?”
“Men, you mean, Topsie, I suppose?” remarked Harry demurely. “You should never call a spade a shovel.”
“Oh, oh!” laughed Mary, mischievously, who, being in close attendance on Topsie, had overheard the last two remarks. “You a man, indeed, Harry. Funny class of man then, conceited person that you are.”