A STRATEGIC ASSAULT.
When night was come, and obscurity had completely enveloped the
landscape; Don Diogo entered the tent where the marquis was walking up
and down, his head drooping, and his arms crossed on his chest.
"Ah, 'tis you, Captain?" said the young man, stopping. "What news?"
"Nothing, your Excellency," answered the Indian. "All is calm; the
night, I think, will be tranquil."
"However, you have, if I am not deceived, something to say to me."
"Just so, your Excellency; I come to announce that I am about to quit
the camp."
"You quit the camp!"
"Is it not necessary that I go out for information?"
"True; how long do you reckon to be on this excursion?"
"Who can say, your Excellency? Perhaps one day, perhaps two; perhaps
only a few hours. All will depend on circumstances. It is possible that
I shall never return."
The marquis remained an instant--his eyes fixed with a strange
expression on the captain.
"Don Diogo," said he, at last, placing his hand in a friendly way on
his shoulder, "before leaving me, permit me to ask you a question."
"Do so, my lord."
"What is the reason which induces you to manifest so great a
devotion--so complete a self-denial?"
"What good would it do to tell you, my lord; you would not understand
me."
"Several times have I asked myself this question without being able to
reply. We have only known each other two months; before the treason of
Malco, I had scarcely exchanged a few ordinary words with you."
"Mon Dieu, my lord," carelessly answered the Indian; "I in nowise
interest myself in you, believe me."
"But, then," cried the marquis, with the utmost surprise, "why risk
your life for me?"
"I have told you, my lord, that you would not understand me."
"Never mind, my friend; answer my question, I beg you."
"You wish it, your Excellency?"
"I demand it, as far as I am permitted to have my way on such a matter."
"Be it so; listen to me then, my lord; only I doubt, I repeat, whether
you will understand me."
"Speak, speak."
"Do not be angry, then, my lord, I beg you, if what you are about to
hear should appear a little hard. To a question frankly put I must
make a candid answer. You personally do not interest me at all. You
yourself have said that I scarcely know you. Only it happens that you
are in some respects under my keeping; that when I was placed under
your orders, I swore to defend you in all circumstances during the time
we should travel together. When that miserable Malco betrayed you, I
understood the responsibility that the treason caused to devolve upon
me."
"But," interrupted the marquis, "that is no reason why you should
sacrifice your life."
"It is not to you, my lord, it is to myself that I make this
sacrifice--to my honour, which would be wounded if I did not, if
necessary, fall by your side, in trying, up to the last moment, to
protect you, and to make a shield for you by my body. But," added
he, with a sad smile, "of what use is it to dwell on this subject my
lord? Profit by my devotion, without disquieting yourself about other
matters. Moreover, it is not so great a thing as you think."
"How is that?"
"Eh! Mon Dieu, my lord, for a very simple reason; we soldados da
conquista, who incessantly make war against the Indian bravos,
continually stake our lives, and always finish by being killed in some
ambuscade. You see that the sacrifice I make for you is very little,
and does not merit in any way that I should glory in it."
Don Roque felt emotion in spite of himself, at the artless loyalty of
this half-civilised man.
"You are worth more than I am," he said, holding out his hand.
"Why, no, my lord; I am less civilised, that is all; and," he
continued, "now that I have answered your question, we will, if you
please, return to our business."
"I do not ask anything better, Captain; you told me, I think, that you
intended to quit the camp?"
"We have not an instant to lose to try and gain information; we have to
do, do not forget, with Indian bravos--the cleverest and bravest of the
desert. They are tough adversaries."
"I begin to believe it."
"While I am absent, remain in the camp, keep a good watch, and make
yourself personally certain that the sentinels do not sleep at their
post."
"Depend upon me for that."
"I forgot one very important thing, my lord; if you are attacked by the
Indians during my absence, and hard put to it, attach a red faja to the
highest branch of the watch tree; this faja I shall see in whatever
place I may be."
"That shall be done; have you any other recommendations?"
"None, your Excellency; it only remains for me now to take leave.
Remember not to go out."
"I shall not stir a step; that's agreed on. You will find me again, I
hope, in as good a situation as that in which you leave me."
"I hope so, my lord. Au revoir!"
Diogo bowed a second time, and left the tent.
The captain set out from the camp on foot.
The soldados da conquista rarely use horses; they only employ them when
they have a long journey on the plain, for the Brazilian forests are so
thick and encumbered with ivy and creeping plants, that it is literally
impossible to traverse them, otherwise than hatchet in hand, which
renders a horse not only useless, but in some respects an obstruction,
to his master, by the embarrassment which he continually causes.
Thus the soldados da conquista are generally excellent pioneers. These
men have legs of iron, nothing stops or retards them; they march with
a speed and certainty which would shame our chasseurs à pied, who,
nevertheless, justly enjoy a reputation as hardy fellows on the march.
Captain Diogo enjoyed among his companions--good judges in such a
matter--a reputation for uncommon sagacity. He had on many occasions
given proofs of admirable skill and address, but he had never found
himself in such difficult circumstances before.
The Indian bravos, of whom he was the implacable foe, and to whom he
had caused irreparable losses, held him in deadly hatred, mingled with
superstitious terror. Diogo had so often, and with such good fortune,
escaped the snares spread under his feet--so often escaped a nearly
certain death--that the Indians had come to believe that this man was
protected by some unknown charm, and that he possessed supernatural
power.
The captain knew well the opinion that the Indians had of him; he knew
that if ever he fell into their hands, not only had he no quarter to
hope for, but, moreover, that he had to expect the most frightful
tortures. This certainly, however, had no influence on his mind; his
boldness was not dismayed, and, far from taking precautions during the
course of his various expeditions, it was with unspeakable pleasure
that he braved his adversaries to the face.
The expedition that he was now making was the boldest and most
difficult of all he had attempted.
His intention was nothing less than to enter a village of the
Guaycurus, to be present at their meetings, and thus succeed in
discovering their secrets.
After having left the camp, the captain rapidly descended the hill,
proceeding, notwithstanding the thick darkness which surrounded him,
with as much certainty as by daylight, and walking with such lightness,
that the noise of his steps would, at some yards' distance, have been
imperceptible to the most practised ear.
When he had reached the bank of the river, he looked around him an
instant; then he threw himself on the ground, and commenced to crawl
gently in the direction of a neighbouring wood, a part of which was
washed by the water of a river.
Arrived at two or three steps from the wood, the Indian suddenly
stopped, and thus remained for several minutes, without even the noise
of his breathing being heard.
Then, after having, by looking around him, sounded the darkness, as it
were, he huddled himself into a small space, like a wild beast ready to
take a spring. Seizing his knife in the right hand, he lightly raised
his head, and imitated, with rare accuracy, the hissing of the giboya,
or boa constrictor.
Scarcely had this hissing sound been heard when the branches of the
thicket were agitated; they were then separated with violence, and an
Indian bounded in fright towards the river. At the same moment the
captain darted behind him, buried his knife in the Indian's neck, and
laid him dead at his feet.
This murder had been committed in less time than it has taken us to
relate it. But a few seconds had flown, and the warrior was lying
lifeless before his implacable enemy.
Don Diogo coolly wiped his knife with a tuft of grass, replaced it in
his girdle, and leaning over his victim, he regarded him attentively.
"Come," he murmured, "fortune has favoured me; this is one of the
chiefs; his costume will suit me."
After this "aside," which explained the secret motive for the murder
he had just committed in so rude a manner, the captain took upon his
shoulders the body of the Guaycurus, and concealed himself with it in
the thicket, from which he had so skilfully drawn his enemy.
The reader must not conclude, from what we have just related, that the
captain was a ferocious and sanguinary man. Don Diogo enjoyed amongst
his companions a merited reputation for kindness and humanity, but the
circumstances in which he was placed at that moment were exceptional.
It was evident that if the Guaycurus spy, whom he had surprised and so
pitilessly killed, had perceived him first, he would have stabbed him
without hesitation. For that matter, the captain had taken care to say
as much himself to the marquis. The war which was commencing was one of
treachery and ambush.
Time was precious; he therefore hastened to despoil his victim, in
whose vestments he clothed himself. By a fortunate coincidence the two
men were about the same size.
The Indians possess a particular talent, not only for personation, but
even put themselves into the very skin of those whose features they
wish to borrow.
With very trifling exceptions, the painting of the Guaycurus chiefs
is all the same, and as their bearing differs very little, when an
Indian of pure race assumes their costume, he easily attains a complete
disguise.
In a few instants the dead man was despoiled; only the captain took
care to place under the enemy's poncho his own pistols and knife.
After having carefully concealed his own vestments in a hole which
he dug for that purpose, the captain assured himself that profound
silence reigned around him; then, reassured or nearly so, he took the
corpse again upon his shoulders, attached a large stone to its neck, to
prevent it from floating, and, carefully separating the branches of the
thicket (the roots of which were planted in the water), he pushed it
gently into the river, without making the least noise.
This delicate operation terminated, the captain glided again into the
thicket, with a smile of satisfaction.
Two hours thus passed away, during which the mysterious silence of the
desert was not disturbed.
Diogo began to weary of the length of his task; he was seeking some
means of bringing it to an end, and of joining the Guaycurus, who could
not, in all probability, be far removed, when a slight trembling of the
dry leaves awakened his attention.
He soon perceived the step of a man who was approaching him; this man,
although walking cautiously, did not appear to think the situation
dangerous enough to demand great precautions--hence this trembling
which, slight as it was, had not escaped the delicate and experienced
ear of the captain.
But what was this man, and what did he want?
These questions that Diogo addressed to himself, and which were
impossible for him to answer, only resulted in alarming him seriously
for his personal safety.
To guard against anything which might happen, the captain held himself
on his guard; the critical moment had arrived to contend with artifice
against those whom he wished to deceive. He prepared himself to sustain
bravely the shock, whatever it might be, with which he was threatened.
Arrived at about four paces from the thicket, in the midst of which
the captain had placed himself--motionless and silent as a block of
granite--the unknown rover stopped.
For some seconds there was perfect silence, during which one could
almost have heard the brave soldier's heart beating.
He could not, by reason of the darkness, see his enemy, but he guessed
where he was, and became very uneasy, considering his silence and his
stillness as a bad omen.
On a sudden the cry of an owl was heard in the air twice repeated.
Perfectly modulated as this imitation was, the ear of an Indian could
not be deceived.
The captain understood that this cry was a signal from his unknown
visitor; but to whom was it addressed? Was it to him, or was it to some
warriors ensconced in the neighbouring thickets?
Perhaps the precautions of Diogo had not been well taken; the knot
which tied the cord round the neck of the warrior whom he had killed
had perhaps come undone, the body had floated, and the Guaycurus,
perceiving the corpse, had discovered the treason, and were coming at
this moment to avenge their brother by killing his assassin.
These various thoughts crossed the mind of the soldier like a flash
of lightning; however, it was necessary to act, any hesitation would
have ruined him. So, recommending himself to fate, the captain made a
desperate effort, and, in his turn, imitated twice the cry of the owl.
He then waited with anxiety the result of this desperate attempt, not
daring to believe in its success.
This uncertainty was short; almost at the same instant the man, whoever
he might be, who was concealed near the thicket, raised his voice. He
spoke in the Guaycurus language, which Diogo not only understood, but
spoke with race perfection.
"My brother, has the Grand Sarigue seen the whites?"
"No."
"Good! Come."
After having exchanged these few words, Don Diogo obeyed the injunction
that was thus given him, and boldly came out of the thicket, although,
despite the success of his stratagem, he did not feel himself
completely reassured.
The Indian, whom he recognised at the first glance to be Tarou Niom
himself, was so convinced he was dealing with one of his own warriors,
that he did not even give himself the trouble to examine him. Moreover,
the chief appeared to be preoccupied.
"These dogs, then, have not ventured to scour the plain during the
darkness?" asked he.
"No," answered Diogo, "they remain together like poltroon dogs, they do
not dare to stir."
"I thought them more brave and skilful. They have with them a man who
knows the desert well--a traitor, as to whom I reserve myself to put
hot coals into his eyes, and cut out his lying tongue."
The captain inwardly trembled at these threats, which were addressed to
him.
"This dog shall die," said he.
"He and those whom he conducts," answered the chief. "I have need of my
brother."
"I am at the orders of Tarou Niom."
"_Epoï_, I speak. For the success of my projects we must have the
assistance of the Payagoas, without their war canoes I can attempt
nothing. Emavidi Chaime has promised to send me fifty, each manned by
ten warriors, as soon as I express my wish for them. My brother, the
Grand Sarigue, will go and ask for these canoes?"
"I will go."
"I have myself brought here my brother's horse, in order that he may
lose no time. Here is my _keaio_,[1] my brother will show it to Emavidi
Chaime, the chief of the Payagoas, on the part of his friend Tarou
Niom, and will say to him--"
"'Tarou Niom demands the accomplishment of the promise made.'"
"I will say it," said Diogo.
"Good, my brother is a great warrior; I love him, let him follow me."
The two men then began to march rapidly without speaking, one behind
the other.
Don Diogo inwardly congratulated himself on the fate which had been
pleased to arrange matters so well, for he feared the piercing eye of
the Guaycurus chief, and it was with a secret apprehension that he
thought of the moment when they should both arrive at the camp, where
the light of the watch fires would reveal his disguise to the eyes of
the Guaycurus--so difficult to deceive, and who, moreover, knew the man
he personated too well to allow him to impose upon them.
Meanwhile the two men reached a glade where two horses were held by the
bridle by a slave.
"Here is the horse of my brother, let him depart," said Tarou Niom; "I
await his return with impatience. He proceeds towards the south. As for
me, I return to the camp, soon to see you again."
Diogo did not know which of the two horses was his own; fearing to make
a mistake, and to take one for the other, he feigned to stumble in
order to give the chief time to put himself in the saddle, which the
latter, whose suspicion was not awakened, did immediately.
Diogo imitated his example.
The two men buried their spurs in the flanks of their horses, and went
off at full speed in different directions.
When he was at last alone, the captain could not suppress a sigh of
relief.
[1] knife.