IN THE WOLF'S MOUTH.
We are compelled to interrupt our recital here to relate the various
incidents that took place in the camp of the Aucas, after the battle
with the Spaniards.
The men placed in ambush at the top of the rocks had made them suffer
serious losses. The principal leader, who had escaped safe and sound
from the desperate fight of the morning, had been grievously wounded,
struck by invisible hands. General Bustamente, thrown from his horse,
had received a bullet, which, fortunately for him, had inflicted only a
flesh wound. Don Pancho was carried fainting off the field of battle,
and concealed in the woods, as was the Linda.
"What line of conduct will my brother pursue?" the general asked.
"The Great Eagle has my word," the chief replied, with an ambiguous
look; "let him keep his word."
"I have no double tongue," the general said; "let me regain my power,
and I will restore to the people the territory which once belonged to
them."
"In that case, let my father command," replied Antinahuel.
A proud smile curled the lips of the general; he perceived all was not
lost.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"In ambush In front of the palefaces who so roughly saluted us an hour
ago."
"And what is my brother's intention?"
"To capture them somehow," Antinahuel replied.
After speaking these words, he bowed to the general and retired. Don
Pancho remained plunged in serious reflection.
He turned round with surprise, and with difficulty repressed a cry of
horror--it was Doña Maria, her clothes torn and stained with blood and
dirt, and her face enveloped in bandages and bloody linen.
"I appear horrible to you, Don Pancho," she said, in a low voice.
"Señora;" the general began, warmly; but she interrupted him.
"Do not debase yourself by a lie unworthy of you and of me."
"Señora, I beg you to believe----"
"You no longer love me, I tell you, Don Pancho," she replied, bitterly;
"besides, have I not sacrificed everything to you? I had nothing left
but my beauty--I gave you that, joyfully."
"I will not reply to the disguised recriminations you address to me."
"Oh, a truce with these trivialities," she interrupted violently. "If
love can no longer unite us, hatred can, we have the same enemy."
"Don Tadeo de León," he said angrily.
"Yes--Don Tadeo de León."
"Ah! I am free now!" he shouted in a furious tone.
"Thanks to me," she said pointedly.
"Yes," he replied, "that is true."
"Such are women. You are aware of the ability and cool bravery of your
enemy; if you give him time, in a few days he will become a colossus."
"Yes," he murmured, as if speaking to himself, "I know it, I feel it."
"Hark!" she said, leaning her head forward, "do you hear that noise?"
There was a great commotion in the wood; it was the escort of Don Ramón
being surrounded.
Antinahuel shortly appeared, leading in Don Ramón Sandias. On
perceiving the Linda he gave a start of terror.
"Miserable scoundrel!" cried the general.
"Hold!" said the Linda.
"What! do _you_ defend this man?" the astonished general exclaimed.
"The accomplice of Cornejo, it was he who inflicted upon you that
frightful wound."
"Oh! I know all that," the Linda replied with a smile; "but I forget
and forgive Don Ramón Sandias."
"Very well," he said, "since you desire it, Doña Maria; I pardon as you
do."
The senator could not believe his ears; but, at all hazards, he seized
the extended hand, and shook it with all his might, Antinahuel smiled
contemptuously.
"If this is the case," he said, "I will leave you together; it is
useless to bind the prisoner."
"Oh! my dear benefactors!" exclaimed Don Ramón, rushing towards them.
"Stop a bit, caballero!" cried Don Pancho; "we must now have a little
talk together."
At which words the senator stopped in confusion.
"You are aware, are you not, that you are perfectly in our power!" said
the Linda.
"Now," the general added, "answer categorically the questions which
will be put to you."
"How came you here?"
"I have just been surprised by the Indians."
"Where were you going?"
"To Santiago."
"Alone?"
"Oh, Lord! no; I had an escort of fifty horsemen."
"What were you going to do at Santiago?"
"Alas! I am tired of politics: my intention was to retire to my quinta
in the bosom of my family."
"Had you no other object?" the general asked.
"I was only charged with a despatch; here it is."
The general seized it, broke the seal, and rapidly read its contents.
"Bah!" he said, crushing the paper, "there is not even common sense in
this despatch."
Doña Maria put an end to this by saying--
"Go to Antinahuel, Don Pancho; he must demand an interview with the
adventurers who are perched like owls at the summit of the rocks."
"I will, as you desire it so earnestly."
The general succeeded; when he rejoined the Linda, she was terminating
her conversation with the senator, by saying to him in a sardonic
voice--
"Manage it as well as you are able, my dear señor; if you fail, I will
give you up to the Indians."
"Hum!" said the terrified senator; "and if they learn it is I who have
done that, what will happen?"
"You will be burnt."
"Demonios! the prospect is not an agreeable one."