“Suddenly, and apparently from amidst the snow crags that towered far above, a clear bell-like note rang forth. At once the strange white figures raised the staves which they carried and pointed to the sky, and then the Traucos fell flat again, and made obeisance to the unseen Gualichu.
“Both I and my father were seized with a great awe, and we raised our hands to our foreheads, and saluted the spirit that apparently reigned over these scenes and these people, in order to propitiate him and shield ourselves against evil.
“Then the white Traucos retired to their huts. We formed a circle, and after we had eaten retired to rest in exactly the same manner as we had done the night before. When morning came, every Trauco arose as usual, and going down to the river’s edge plunged in. They swam with long powerful strokes, and kept their chests high out of the water as they did so. Both I and Cuastral followed their example, and the swim greatly refreshed us.
“I noticed that the white Traucos did not enter the water. Yet, as their fur was extremely white, I have no doubt but that they bathed at other times. When we had bathed we ate, and then every one began to crowd upon the rafts. The children all seated themselves in the centre, their elders round them, leaving a free space on either side for the Traucos, whose duty it was to propel the rafts forward.
“This they did by means of long poles, tipped at the end with gold. On each side of the raft a male and female Trauco took their stand, and dipping their poles into the water, pressed them to the bottom, and then walking along the raft pushed her up against the stream. The strength of these Traucos must have been very evenly balanced, for they kept the head of the raft as straight as an arrow flies.
“As we left the banks the white Traucos stood thereon with their staves raised and cooing like doves. It was thus I saw them standing as we glided from their midst, with the forest trees sweeping the dark, cool river on either side.
“We saw several strange sights that day. A large black-headed swan was sighted up the stream, and two Traucos were landed to stalk it along the banks, while the rafts were kept close to the shore. A Trauco on either side, stealing like snakes through the long grass, was a curious vision; and in spite of our downcast thoughts, both I and Cuastral could not but watch it with interest.
“Suddenly, and at the same moment, the creeping, hairy beings uprose themselves, startling the great white bird, who spread his wings and began to soar aloft. The next moment two golden-headed arrows winged their flight, and the lordly king of the watery-feathered tribe fell dead to rise no more. His great white body floated down the stream towards the rafts, and was drawn on board one of them. Then the hunters retook their places thereon, and the journey was continued.
“We travelled on for many miles after this. The heat was terrific, and the Traucos, perceiving that I and Cuastral were overcome by it, gave us some branches of green leaves with which to shield ourselves from the sun’s rays. Beneath their grateful shelter we both lay down and fell asleep.
“I was awakened by loud and blood-curdling yells, and springing to my feet beheld a scene of weird and fantastic horror. Dancing along the banks, and springing from tree to tree, were a crowd of dark hairy creatures bearing the shape of men. Like the Traucos, they were furry all over, but that was all. They lacked the fine, powerful build, the shapely body, the well-formed head, the large dark eyes and splendid teeth of this people. Unlike them, they wore no chiripas of fur around the loins, their faces were black and skinny, their teeth sharp and pointed, their eyes small and gleaming. Their noses were merely two holes in a slight bridge, and in their hands they carried thick clubs, which they brandished above their heads.”