The next morning at daybreak the army set forward on its march towards the Bio Bio, to re-enter Chili. It took with it, as hostages, thirty Ulmens.
"Come with us," said Don Gregorio; "now our friend is dead, you can have nothing more to do."
"I am not of your opinion," Valentine replied; "I do not think Don Tadeo is dead."
"What makes you suppose that?" Don Gregorio asked; "have you any proofs?"
"I am afraid it will appear futile to you."
"Well, since you insist upon it, I must confess that I feel a secret presentiment."
"Upon what do you ground that supposition? You are too intelligent to jest."
"You only do me justice. I perceived the absence of Don Tadeo. I went back again, in quick time. Don Tadeo, though closely pressed, was fighting vigorously, and I shouted out to him to stand his ground."
"Certainly he did, for he answered me. I redoubled my efforts--he had disappeared, and left no traces behind."
"That his numerous enemies seized him and carried him off."
"But who can tell whether, after having killed him, they have not carried away the body?"
"Why should they do that? Don Tadeo dead, could only inconvenience them, whereas, as prisoner, they probably hope that by restoring him to liberty. Or perhaps, by threatening to kill him, they will have their hostages given up."
Don Gregorio was struck with the justness of this reasoning.
"It is possible," he replied; "there is a great deal of truth in what you say--what do you mean to do?"
"A very simple thing, my friend. In the environs are concealed two Indian chiefs."
"These men are devoted to Louis and me, and they will serve us as guides."
Don Gregorio looked at him for an instant in deep emotion, and tears glistened in his eyes; he took the young man's hand pressed it warmly, and said, in a voice tremulous with tenderness--
"Don Valentine, pardon me I did not know you; I have not appreciated your heart at its just value. Don Valentine, will you permit me to embrace you?"
"With all my heart, my brave friend," the young man replied.
"Then you are going?" Don Gregorio resumed.
"Come on," said Valentine to his foster brother, as he whistled to Cæsar and clapped spurs to his horse.
"I am with you," Louis replied, promptly.
For some time the young men followed at a distance the march of the Chilian army, which advanced slowly, though in good order, towards the Bio Bio. They crossed, at a foot's pace, the plain where the day before the sanguinary battle had been fought between the Indians and the Chilians.