THE PEARL OF THE ANDES
A TALE OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE
BY
GUSTAVE AIMARD
AUTHOR OF "THE ADVENTURERS," "TRAIL-HUNTER," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES,"
"TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER," "TIGER SLAYER," ETC.
REVISED AND EDITED BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN
NEW YORK
JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY
14 AND 16 VESEY STREET
1884
CONTENTS
I. IN THE CABILDO XXIII. PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
II. JOAN XXIV. A DISAGREEABLE MISSION
III. THE PURSUIT XXV. THE KITE AND THE DOVE
IV. SERPENT AND VIPER XXVI. THE END OF DON RAMÓN'S JOURNEY
V. AN INDIAN'S LOVE XXVII. THE AUCA-COYOG
VI. PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERANCE XXVIII. THE HUMAN SACRIFICE
VII. A COUNTERMINE XXIX. THE KING OF DARKNESS
VIII. EL CANYON DEL RIO SECO XXX. THE BATTLE OF CONDERKANKI
IX. BEFORE THE FIGHT XXXI. CONQUEROR AND PRISONER
X. THE PASSAGE OF THE DEFILE XXXII. AFTER THE BATTLE
XI. THE JOURNEY XXXIII. FIRST HOURS OF CAPTIVITY
XII. INFORMATION XXXIV. THE ULTIMATUM
XIII. THE AMBUSCADE XXXV. A FURY
XIV. THE FORTRESS XXXVI. A THUNDERCLAP
XV. PROPOSALS XXXVII. UPON THE TRACK
XVI. THE MESSENGER XXXVIII. THE LYNX
XVII. IN THE WOLF'S MOUTH XXXIX. THE BLACK SERPENTS
XVIII. THE CAPITULATION XL. THE HURRICANE
XIX. THE APPEAL XLI. LA BARRANCA
XX. THE COUNCIL XLII. THE QUIPU
XXI. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND XLIII. THE ROCK
XXII. DELIRIUM XLIV. CÆSAR
THE PEARL OF THE ANDES
CHAPTER I.
IN THE CABILDO
While Doña Rosario effected her escape by the assistance of Curumilla,
as recorded in the "Adventurers," Don Tadeo was not long in regaining
his senses. On opening his eyes he cast a bewildered look around him,
but as soon as memory threw light into his brain, he let his head sink
into his hands, and gave a free vent to his grief.
Don Tadeo wept! Don Tadeo, the King of Darkness, who a hundred times
had smilingly looked death in the face--who had had such a miraculous
escape--the man whose iron will had so rapidly crushed everything that
opposed the execution of his projects; who by a word, a gesture, a
frown, governed thousands of men submissive to his caprices, wept.
But Don Tadeo was not a man whom grief, however intense, could depress
for a length of time.
"Oh, all is not ended yet," he cried. "But courage! I have a people to
save before I avenge my daughter."
He clapped his hands, and Don Gregorio appeared. He saw at a glance the
ravages which grief had made in the mind of his friend, but he saw that
the King of Darkness had subdued the father. It was about seven o'clock
in the morning.
"What are your intentions with regard to General Bustamente?" Gregorio
asked.
Don Tadeo was calm, cold, and impassive; all traces of emotion had
disappeared from his face, which had the whiteness and rigidity of
marble.
"My friend," he replied, "we yesterday saved the liberty of our
country, which was on the verge of ruin; but if, thanks to you and
to all the devoted patriots who fought on our side, I have for ever
overthrown Don Bustamente, and annihilated his ambitious projects, I
have not on that account taken his place."
"But you are the only man--"
"Do not say that," Don Tadeo interrupted, "I do not recognise in myself
the right of imposing upon my fellow citizens ideas and views which may
be very good, or which I believe to be so, but which, perhaps, are not
theirs. The right of freely choosing the man who is henceforward to
govern them."
"And who tells you, my friend, that that man is not yourself?"
"I do!" Don Tadeo observed in a firm voice.
Don Gregorio gave a start of surprise.
"That astonishes you, does it not, my friend? But what is to be said?
So it is. I am only anxious to lay down power, which is a burden too
heavy for my worn-out strength, and to return again to private life."
"Oh! do not say that," Don Gregorio replied warmly; "the gratitude of
the people is eternal."
"All smoke, my friend," Don Tadeo observed, ironically. "Are you sure
the people are pleased with what I have done? But let us end this; my
resolution is taken, and nothing can change it."
"But--" Don Gregorio wished to add.
"One word more," said Don Tadeo. "To be a statesman, my friend, a man
must march alone in the way he has marked out for himself; he must have
neither children, relations, nor friends. The man who is in power ought
to be only human in appearance."
"What do you mean to do, then?"
"In the first place to send General Bustamente to Santiago: although
the man merits death, I will not take upon myself the responsibility
of his condemnation; enough blood has been shed by my orders. He
shall depart tomorrow with General Cornejo and the senator Sandias,
sufficiently escorted to secure him from a _coup de main_."
"Your orders shall be punctually obeyed."
"They are the last you will receive from me."
"But why?"
"Because this very day I will transfer my power to your hands."
"But, my friend--"
"Not a word more, I beg of you. Now come with me to this poor young
Frenchman, who has so nobly defended my unfortunate daughter."
Don Gregorio followed him without reply.
The count had been placed in a chamber where he had received the
greatest attention. His situation was satisfactory, and excepting great
weakness, he felt himself much better. Loss of blood alone caused the
weakness. Don Tadeo went towards him, and said warmly--
"My friend, it is God who has thrown you and your companion upon
my passage. I have only known you a few months, and I have already
contracted towards you a debt which it is impossible I can ever
discharge."
"Why attach so high a value to the little I have been able to do, Don
Tadeo." said Louis. "Alas! I would have given my life to preserve Doña
Rosario."
"We shall find her again!" Don Tadeo observed, energetically.
"Oh! If I were able to get on horseback," the young man cried.
At this moment the door opened, and a peon who entered said a few words
in a low voice to Don Tadeo.
"Let him come in! let him come in!" the latter cried, and turning
towards Louis added, "We are about to hear some news."
An Indian entered; it was Joan, the man Curumilla had been unwilling to
kill.