THE INVASION.
Let us now give some explanations about the Indian expedition, and
the preparations and arrangements made by Nocobotha, at the moment of
attempting the siege of Carmen.
"If you succeed in this affair," Don Torribio had said to the two
gauchos, after giving them orders to carry off Don Sylvio d'Arenal,
"you will receive fifty ounces more. But forget nothing, and be
careful."
Panchito and Corrocho, when left alone, shared the ounces between them
with transports of joy.
Don Torribio mounted his horse again and proceeded to Carmen, where he
spent several days in his house, though no one was aware of the fact.
During his stay he had two interviews, under different disguises, with
Pincheira, at the Pulquería del Sur, the usual meeting place of the
gauchos. Each night, three or four mules, laden with bales, left the
city, under the escort of Indians, and proceeded in the direction of
the Andes.
At length, one night, after a long conference with Pincheira, Don
Torribio left El Carmen in his turn, his presence in the town having
not even been suspected. At six leagues from Carmen he found Panchito
and Corrocho, whom he sharply upbraided for their sloth in executing
his orders, and he recommended them to act as promptly as possible.
On the morrow, the day of the ñandu hunt, Corrocho presented himself at
the gate of the estancia, which Patito had refused to open.
On leaving the two bandits, Don Torribio proceeded to the natural
grotto, where we have seen him change his clothes once before. There he
put on his Indian trappings, and following the banks of the Rio Negro,
galloped towards the island of Ghole-Isechel, where he had appointed to
meet all the war detachments of the combined Patagonian and Araucano
tribes.
The night was one of the most delicious ever enjoyed in America. The
fresh air, odorous with the penetrating perfumes of the flowers that
grew in masses on the river banks, disposed the mind to reverie. The
sky, of a dark black blue, was embroidered with stars, in the midst
of which sparkled the dazzling Southern Cross, which the Indians call
_Paron-Chayke_. The moon poured its soft light on the sand, played on
the foliage of the trees and designed fantastic forms on the sandbanks.
The wind blew softly through the branches, in which the blue jay at
intervals uttered the melodious notes of its plaintive song. Here and
there, in the distance, could be heard the hoarse roar of the cougars,
the sharp whine of the panther, and the snapping bark of the red wolf.
Nocobotha, intoxicated by this lovely autumn night, checked his
horse's speed, and allowed his thoughts to wander. The descendant of
Manco-Capai and Manco-Oello, the first Incas of Peru, saw pass and
repass before his mind the splendours of his race, which had been
extinct since the death of Athahualpa, the last Peruvian emperor, whom
Pizarro's soldiers assassinated. His heart swelled with pride and joy
when he thought that he was about to reconstitute the empire of his
ancestors. The soil he trod was his; the air he breathed was the air of
his country!
He went on thus for a long time, travelling in the land of dreams. The
stars began to grow pale in the sky; the dawn was already tracing a
white line, which gradually became tinged with yellow and red streaks,
and, at the approach of day, the breeze freshened. Nocobotha, suddenly
roused by the icy dew of the Pampa, threw his cloak across his
shoulder, with a shudder, and started again at a gallop, after looking
up to heaven and muttering--
"Either death or a life of liberty!"
A sublime remark in the mouth of this man! Young, rich, and handsome,
he might have remained in Paris, where he had studied, lived there like
a nobleman, and enjoyed abundantly all the pleasures of this world.
But, no! Free from all ambitious thoughts, and without calculating on
human gratitude, he resolved to deliver his country.
At about eight in the morning, Nocobotha halted before an immense
toldería, facing the island of Ghole-Isechel. At this spot the Rio
Negro attains its greatest width, and each of the arms formed by the
island is about two miles and a half across. The island, that rises
in the middle of the water, four leagues long and two wide, is one
vast bouquet, whence the most delicious fragrance is exhaled, and in
which innumerable birds sing. Illumined on this day by the beams of a
splendid sun, the island seemed to have been laid on the river like a
basket of flowers for the pleasure of the eyes and the delight of the
fancy.
As far as the eye reached along the banks of the river, thousands of
toldos and chozas could be seen erected close together, and their
strange colours flashing in the sun. Numerous canoes, made of horse
hides sown together, and generally round, or hollowed out of the trunks
of trees, crossed the river in every direction.
Nocobotha entrusted his horse to an Indian woman, and walked among the
toldos. In front of their openings the ostrich-plumed pennons of the
chiefs floated in the breeze.
He was recognized so soon as he arrived. The warriors drew up in
line as he passed, or bowed respectfully before him. The veneration
the southern nations have ever felt for the descendants of the Incas
seemed changed into a species of adoration. The bejewelled coronet that
adorned his brow appeared to arouse the most lively joy in all hearts.
When he reached the riverbank, a fishing canoe conveyed him across to
the island, where a toldo had been prepared for him. Lucaney, warned
by the sentries who watched for his arrival, presented himself before
Nocobotha the moment he landed.
"The great chief," he said, with a bow, "is returned among his sons.
Has my father made a good journey?"
"I have made a good journey, I thank my brother."
"If my father permits, I will conduct him to his toldo."
"Go on," the chief said.
Lucaney bowed a second time, and guided the great chief along a track
formed through the bushes. They soon reached a toldo of brilliant
colours, large and clean, the handsomest on the island, in a word.
"My father is at home," Lucaney said, lifting the poncho that covered
the opening.
Nocobotha went in.
"My brother will follow me," he said.
The woollen curtain fell again behind the two Ulmens.
This abode, like the others, contained a fire, by the side of which
Nocobotha and Lucaney seated themselves. They smoked in silence for
some moments, when the great chief addressed Lucaney.
"Have the Ulmens, Apo-Ulmens and caraskens of all the nations and
tribes assembled on the island of Ghole-Isechel, as I gave orders?"
"They are all assembled," Lucaney answered.
"When will they come to my toldo?"
"The chiefs are awaiting my father's good pleasure."
"Time is precious. Before twilight we must have ridden twenty leagues.
Lucaney will warn the chiefs."
The Ulmen rose without replying and went, out.
"Come!" Nocobotha said, so soon as he was alone, "The die is cast. I
am in Caesar's position, but, by heavens, like him, I will cross the
Rubicon."
He rose and walked for more than hour up and down the toldo, immersed
in deep thought. A noise of footsteps was heard; the curtain was
raised, and Lucaney appeared.
"Well?" Nocobotha asked him.
"The chiefs are here."
"Let them come in!"
The Ulmens, sixty at least, dressed in their richest clothes, and
painted and armed for war, passed silently one after the other in front
of the great chief, saluted him, kissed the hem of his robe, and ranged
themselves round the fire. A troop of warriors, outside, kept listeners
aloof.
Nocobotha, in spite of his self-command, could not restrain a movement
of pride.
"My brothers are welcome," he said, "I was impatiently expecting them.
Lucaney, how many warriors have you assembled?"
"Two thousand five hundred."
"Chamata?"
"Three thousand."
"Metipan?"
"Two thousand."
"Vera?"
"Three thousand seven hundred."
"Killapan?"
"One thousand nine hundred."
Nocobotha wrote down on his tablets the numbers stated by the Ulmens,
who, after answering, ranged themselves on his right hand.
"Lucaney," he continued, "is Pincheira's war party here?"
"Yes, father."
"How many warriors has he?"
"Four thousand eight hundred."
"Mulato, how many have you?"
"Four thousand."
"Guaykilof?"
"Three thousand five hundred."
"Killamel?"
"Six thousand two hundred."
"Churlakin?"
"Five thousand six hundred."
"Which are the nations that accepted the quipu, and sent their warriors
to the gathering place?"
"All!" Churlakin answered proudly.
"My heart is satisfied with the wisdom of my son. What is the effective
strength of these eight nations?"
"Twenty-nine thousand seven hundred and sixty men, commanded by the
bravest Ulmens."
"Good," said Nocobotha. "The Aucas and Araucano chiefs here present
have brought twenty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty warriors. We
can also reckon on a reinforcement of five hundred and fifty gauchos,
or white deserters, whose assistance will be very useful to us. The
total strength of the army is ninety-four thousand nine hundred and
fifty men, with whom, if my brothers place confidence in me, we shall
expel the Spaniards, and regain our territory within three months."
"Our father will command, and we obey."
"Never has a larger and more powerful army menaced the Spanish
authority since Tahi Mahi's attempt upon Chili. The whites are ignorant
of our projects, as I convinced myself at Carmen. Hence our sudden
invasion will be to them a thunderbolt, and render them motionless with
terror. On our approach they will be already half conquered. Lucaney,
have you distributed all the weapons I sent you from Carmen to the
warriors, who understand their use?"
"A corps of three thousand two hundred men is armed with muskets and
bayonets, and abundantly provided with powder and ball."
"It is well. Lucaney, Churlakin, and Metipan will remain with me,
and aid me in communicating with the other chiefs. And now, Ulmens,
Apo-Ulmens, and caraskens of the united nations, listen to my orders,
and engrave them deeply on your minds, for any disobedience or
cowardice will immediately be punished by death."
There was a solemn silence. Nocobotha took a calm and haughty look
round the assembly.
"In an hour," he continued, "the army will start in close columns. A
cavalry corps will protect each infantry detachment. The army will
extend along a line of twenty leagues, which will be concentrated on
Carmen. All the chiefs will fire the country as they pass, in order
that the smoke, impelled by the wind, may hide our movements and
cover us like a thick curtain. The crops, estancias, and all property
belonging to the whites, will be burned and levelled with the ground.
The cattle will be sent to the rearguard to swell our booty. Show
no mercy to the bomberos, but kill them on the spot. Killipan, with
twelve thousand horsemen and ten thousand infantry, will command the
rearguard, to which will be attached all the women of an age to fight,
and it will set out six hours after the main body. Bear in mind that
the warriors must advance in compact bodies, and not as stragglers.
Be off, and make haste, for we must be in front of Carmen by daybreak
tomorrow."
The chief bowed and silently defiled out of the toldo.
A few minutes later an extraordinary animation prevailed in the immense
camp of the Indians. The squaws pulled down the toldos and loaded the
mules; the warriors assembled to the sound of musical instruments; the
children lassoed and saddled the horses; in short, hurried preparations
were made for a start.
Gradually the disorder ceased. The ranks were formed, and several
detachments started in different directions. Nocobotha, standing on the
top of a mound, and accompanied by his three aides-de-camp, Lucaney,
Churlakin, and Metipan, followed with a glass the movements of the
army, which, within a quarter of an hour, was no longer visible.
Already the plain was on fire and veiled the horizon with a black smoke.
Nocobotha descended the hill and went to the riverbank, where the
four Ulmens got into a canoe, which they pulled themselves. They soon
reached land, where twenty-five Aucas horsemen were waiting for them.
The party set out on the trail of the army--a too visible trail, alas!
The country so green and beautiful that very morning was gloomy,
desolated and covered with ashes and ruins.
From a distance Pedrito and his brothers perceived the Indians, and
although surrounded by a swarm of warriors, they succeeded, through
their courage, in escaping from their enemies, with the exception of
poor Juan, who was killed by an Indian lance. Pepe and Lopez, both
wounded, went on in front to watch the movements of the invaders, while
Pedrito, covered with dust and blood, galloped to give the alarm at
Carmen.
This escape singularly annoyed Nocobotha and disarranged his
combinations. Nevertheless, the army continued its march, and at
nightfall the town could be seen through the growing obscurity. At
the head of one hundred picked warriors, Nocobotha made a circuit and
advanced on Población del Sur. All was silent, and the barricades
seemed abandoned. The Indians succeeded in scaling them, and would have
carried the town, had it not been for the vigilance of Major Bloomfield.
The great chief, not wishing to shake the confidence of his men by
vain attempts, fell back and ordered a camp to be formed in front of
the town. Pursuing tactics hitherto strange to the Indians, he made
a parallel and ordered a wide ditch to be dug in the sand, the earth
from which served to throw up a breastwork that defended them from the
cannon.
Pincheira, as we know, was in Carmen for the purpose of arranging
a revolt among the gauchos. As Nocobotha desired to come to an
understanding with him as to the decisive attack, he sent towards the
town a Chilian deserter who knew how to play the bugle, an instrument
quite unused among the Aucas. This bugler bore a white flag in sign of
peace, and asked for a parley. He was followed by Churlakin, Lucaney,
Metipan, and Chaukata, who were ordered by the great Ulmen to make
proposals to the governor of Carmen.
The four ambassadors, standing within half gunshot from the town, with
their long lances planted before them, with the ostrich plume, the
symbol of their dignity, flying out, were waiting motionless on their
horses. Their leather armour was covered with coats of mail made of
small rings, which had doubtless belonged to the soldiers of Almagro
or Valdivia. The bugler, haughtily standing a few paces in front of
them, waved his flag. The chiefs' steeds were armed with rich harness,
embroidered with silver plates that sparkled in the sun's beams.
The Spanish pride suffered at the thought of treating on equal terms
with these Pagans, to whom they even refused a soul, and whom they did
not recognize as men. But it was necessary to gain time; perhaps the
reinforcements from Buenos Aires were already under weigh.
The Indian bugler, wearied at receiving no answer to his two first
summons, blew a third peal by Churlakin's order. A Spanish bugler at
length replied from the interior of the town, and the barrier was
opened, leaving a passage for a soldier, who carried a white flag,
and was followed by an officer on horseback. This officer, it will be
remembered, was Major Bloomfield, who, as an old soldier, was unwilling
to appear before the Indians except in his full dress uniform.
He proceeded without hesitation towards the Ulmens, who, through
their silver ornaments and their immobility, resembled at a distance
equestrian statues.