THE SUN-TIGER.
In the state of anarchy in which Chili was plunged at the period of our
history, the parties were numerous, and everyone was manoeuvring in the
shade, as skilfully as possible, in order to gain possession of power.
General Bustamente, as we have stated, aimed at nothing less than the
protectorate of a confederation similar to that of the United States,
which, then but little understood, dazzled his ambition. He could not
divine that those ancient outlaws, those sectarian fanatics exiled from
Europe, those thriving merchants, had already begun to dream in America
of a universal monarchy, a senseless Utopia, the application of which
will one day cost them the loss of that so-called nationality of which
they are so proud, and which, in reality, does not exist. Probably
General Bustamente did not look so far into the future, or, if he did
divine the tendencies of the Anglo-Americans, perhaps he dreamt of
himself following also that ambitious aim, as soon as his power should
repose upon solid bases.
The Dark-Hearts, the only true patriots in this unhappy country, on
their side, wished that the government should adopt measures of a
rather democratic nature, but they had no intention to overturn it,
for they were persuaded that a revolution could only be prejudicial
to the general welfare of the nation. Beside General Bustamente and
the society of the Dark-Hearts, a third party, more powerful, perhaps,
than the two first, was at work silently, but active. This party was
represented by Antinahuel, the toqui of the most important Uthal-Mapus
of the Araucanian confederacy. We have said that from its geographical
position, this little insignificant republic is placed like a wedge
in the Chilian territory, which it separates sharply in two. This
position gave Antinahuel immense power. All Araucanos are soldiers; at
a signal from their chiefs, they take up arms, and are able, in a few
days, to get together an army of experienced warriors. The republicans
and the partizans of Bustamente were fully aware how much it was to
their interest to attach the Araucanos to their party; with the aid
of these ferocious soldiers victory would be certain. Already had the
King of Darkness and Bustamente made proposals to Antinahuel,--of
course, unknown to each other. These overtures the redoubtable toqui
had appeared to listen to, and had feigned to reply to both, for the
following reasons:--
Antinahuel, in addition to the hereditary hatred which his ancestors
had bequeathed to him against the white race, or perhaps on account of
that hatred, had dreamt, since he had been elected supreme chief of an
Uthal-Mapus, not only of the complete independence of his country, but
moreover of re-conquering all the territory which the Spaniards had
deprived it of; he hoped to drive them back to the other side of the
Cordilleras of the Andes, and restore to his nation the splendour it had
enjoyed before the arrival of the whites in Chili. And this patriotic
project Antinahuel was just the man to carry through. Endowed with
vast intelligence, at once daring and subtle, he allowed himself to be
stopped by no obstacle, conquered by no reverse. Almost entirely brought
up in Chili, he spoke Spanish perfectly, was thoroughly acquainted with
the manners of his enemies, and by means of numberless spies spread
everywhere, he was well informed with regard to the Chilian policy,
and of the precarious situation of those whom he wished to conquer; he
habitually took advantage of the dissensions which separated them, and
feigned to lend an ear to the propositions made to him on all parts, in
order, when the moment should arrive, to crush his enemies one after the
other, and be left alone standing.
He wanted a plausible pretext for keeping his Uthal-Mapus under arms,
without inspiring the Chilians with mistrust: and this pretext General
Bustamente and the Dark-Hearts supplied him with by their preparations.
No one could be surprised, for this reason, at seeing, in a time
of peace, the toqui gather together a numerous army on the Chilian
frontiers, since, _in petto_, either party flattered itself that this
army was destined to aid its cause. The conduct of the toqui was,
therefore, most skilful; for he not only inspired mistrust in no one,
but, on the contrary, gave hopes to all. The position was becoming
serious; the hour for action could not long be delayed; and Antinahuel,
whose measures were all prepared, awaited impatiently the moment for
beginning the struggle.
Things were at this point on the day when Doña Maria came to the
toldería of the Black-Serpents, to visit the friend of her childhood. As
soon as she awoke, the Linda gave orders for her departure.
"Is my sister going to leave me already?" said Antinahuel, in a tone of
mild reproach.
"Yes," Doña Maria replied, "my brother knows that I must reach Valdivia
as quickly as possible."
The chief did not press her stay; a furtive smile played round his lips.
After Doña Maria was on horseback, she turned towards the toqui.
"Did not my brother say he should be soon in Valdivia?" she asked, in a
perfectly well-played tone of indifference.
"I shall be there as soon as my sister," he replied.
"We shall see each other again, then?"
"Perhaps we may."
"We must!"
This was said in a positive tone.
"Very well," the chief replied, after a moment's pause; "my sister may
depart--she shall see me again."
"Till then, farewell, then," she said, and rode away at a quick pace.
She soon disappeared in a cloud of dust, and the chief returned
thoughtfully to his toldo.
"Woman," he said, to his mother, "I am going to the great toldería of
the palefaces."
"I heard everything last night," the Indian woman replied, sorrowfully;
"my son is wrong."
"Wrong! how, or why?" he asked, passionately.
"My son is a great chief; my sister deceives him, and makes him
subservient to her vengeance."
"Or rather my own," he replied, in a singular tone.
"The young white girl has a right to the protection of my son."
"I will protect the Pearl of the Andes."
"My son forgets that she of whom he speaks saved his life."
"Silence, woman!" he shouted, in a passionate tone.
The Indian woman held her peace, but sighed deeply.
The chief summoned his mosotones, and selecting from among them a score
of warriors upon whom he could place entire reliance, ordered them to
be ready to follow him within an hour. He then threw himself upon a
bench, and sank into serious and agitating reflections. Suddenly a great
noise was heard from without, and the chief sprang from his recumbent
position, and went to the door of his toldo. He was surprised to see two
strangers, mounted upon excellent horses, and preceded by an Indian,
advancing towards him. These strangers were Valentine and Louis, who had
left their friends a short distance from the toldería.
Valentine, on leaving the village of the Puelches, had opened the letter
addressed to himself, and placed in his hands by the major-domo, with a
recommendation not to open it till the last minute. The young man was
far from expecting the contents of this strange missive. After carefully
reading it, he communicated it to his friend, saying--
"Here, read this, Louis;--hem! who knows but that this singular letter
is the first step to our fortune?"
Like all men in love, Louis was sceptical upon every subject that did
not bear some relation to his passion, and he returned the paper,
shaking his head.
"Politics burn the fingers," he said.
"Yes, of those who don't know how to handle them," Valentine replied,
with a shrug of the shoulders. "Now, it is my opinion that in this
country, in which it has pleased fate to drop us, the most promising
element of fortune we have at command happens to be those very politics
which you so much disdain."
"I must confess, my friend, that I care very little for these
Dark-Hearts, of whom I know nothing, and who have done us the honour to
affiliate us."
"I do not share your opinion at all; I believe them to be resolute,
intelligent men, and am persuaded they will, some day, gain the upper
hand."
"Much good may it do them! But of what consequence is that to us
Frenchmen?"
"More than you may think for; and I am determined, immediately after
my interview with this said Antinahuel, to go directly to Valdivia, in
order to be present at the meeting they appoint."
"As you please," said the Count, carelessly. "As such is your advice,
we will go thither; only I warn you that we shall risk our heads. If we
lose them, it will be all very well; but I wash my hands of the matter
beforehand."
"I will be prudent, caramba! My head is the only thing I can call my
own," Valentine replied, laughing, "and be assured I will not risk it
for nothing. Besides, do you not partake of my curiosity to see how
these people understand politics, and in what a fashion they set about
conspiring?"
"Well, that may become interesting; we travel partly for instruction;
let us gain it, then, when it offers itself."
"Bravo! that's the way in which I like to hear a man speak. Let us go
and seek the redoubtable chief to whom we have a letter to deliver."
Trangoil-Lanec and Curumilla were too prudent to venture to let
Antinahuel know of the friendship which bound them to the two Frenchmen.
Without suspecting the reasons which induced their friends to present
themselves to the toqui, they foresaw that a day might come when it
would be advantageous that their relations should be unknown. When they
arrived, therefore, at a short distance from the toldería, the Indian
warriors remained concealed in a secluded corner, keeping Cæsar with
them, and allowing the two Frenchmen to continue their route to the
village of the Black-Serpents, with whom, in addition, they had not
lately been upon the best terms.
The reception given to the Frenchmen was most friendly; for in time
of peace the Araucanos are exceedingly hospitable. As soon as they
perceived the strangers, they crowded round them; and as all the Indians
speak Spanish with astonishing facility, Valentine had no difficulty in
making himself understood. One warrior, more polite than the rest, took
upon himself to be their guide through the village, in which, of course,
they were at a loss. He led them to the toldo of the chief, in front of
which were drawn up twenty horsemen, armed, and apparently waiting.
"That is Antinahuel, the great toqui of the Inapire-Mapu," said the
guide, emphatically, pointing with his finger at the chief, who at that
moment came out of his toldo, attracted by the noise.
"Thank you," said Valentine; and the two Frenchmen advanced rapidly
towards the toqui, who, on his part, made a few steps to meet them.
"Eh, eh!" Valentine said, in a subdued voice, to his companion; "here
is a man with a good bearing, and with a rather intelligent air for an
Indian."
"Yes," Louis replied, in the same tone, "but he has a contracted brow,
a sinister look, and compressed lips--he inspires me with very little
confidence."
"Bah!" said Valentine, "you are too difficult by half; did you expect to
find an Indian an Antinous or an Apollo Belvedere?"
"No; but I should like a little more open frankness in his look."
"Well, well, we shall see."
"I do not know why, but that man produces the effect of a reptile upon
me; he inspires me with invincible repulsion."
"Oh, nonsense! you are too impressionable. I am sure that the man, who,
I cannot deny, has the air of a thorough rascal, is, at bottom, one of
the best fellows in the world."
"God grant I may be deceived! But I experience, on seeing him, a feeling
for which I cannot account; it seems as if a kind of presentiment warned
me to be on my guard against that man, and that he will be fatal to me."
"All folly! What relations can you ever have with this individual? We
are charged with a mission to him; who knows whether we may ever see him
again? and then what interests can connect us with him hereafter?"
"You are right; and I do not know what makes me think as I have
said; besides, we shall soon know what we have to trust to on his
account--here he is."
The adventurers were, in fact, at that moment in front of the chief's
toldo. Antinahuel stood before them; and, although appearing to be
giving orders to his men, examined them very attentively. He stepped
towards them quickly, and, bowing with perfect politeness, said, in a
pleasant tone, and with a graceful gesture--
"Strangers, you are welcome to my toldo. Your presence rejoices my
heart. Condescend to pass over the threshold of this poor hut, which
will be yours as long as you deign to remain among us."
"Thanks for the kind words of welcome you address to us, powerful
chief," Valentine replied. "The persons who sent us to you assured us of
the kind reception we might expect."
"If the strangers come on the part of my friends, that is a further
reason why I should endeavour to make their abode here as agreeable as
my humble means will allow me."
The two Frenchmen bowed ceremoniously, and alighted from their horses.
At a sign from the toqui, two peons led the horses away to a vast corral
behind the toldo.