"In faith of which I have signed with my name, prenames, and qualities."
"Don Pancho Bustamente," "General of Division, ex Minister of War of the Chilian Republic."
Whilst the soldier was reading, Antinahuel leaning over his shoulder, appeared endeavouring to read also; when he had ended, with one hand he snatched the paper roughly from him, and with the other he plunged his poniard into his heart.
"Wah!" the chief replied; "this fellow might have talked hereafter, perhaps."
An Araucano warrior took up the body, placed it upon his shoulders, and carried it out of the toldo.
"My brother may depend upon me," said Antinahuel; "I must now return to my village."
"Stay, chief," the general objected; "that is losing time."
"Interests of the highest importance oblige me."
"That is useless," said Doña Maria, coolly.
"What does my sister mean?" Antinahuel asked.
"I have comprehended the impatience which devours the heart of my brother; this morning I myself despatched a _chasqui_ after the mosotones who were conducting the pale maiden to the toldería of the Puelches, with an order to retrace their steps."
"My sister is good!" he said; "Antinahuel, he will remember."
"Let my brother consent, then, to do what the great warrior of the palefaces desires."
"Let my brother speak," the chief continued gravely.
"We must, if we wish to succeed, act with the rapidity of lightning," said Don Pancho; "collect all your warriors, and let their rendezvous be upon the Bio Bio. We will gain possession of Concepción by a _coup-de-main;_ and if our movements are prompt, we shall be masters of Santiago, the capital, before they have time to raise the necessary troops to oppose their passage."
"Good!" Antinahuel replied. "My brother is a skilful chief; he will succeed."
"Yes, but we must use despatch above everything."
"My brother will see," the Toqui said, laconically.
"My brother," he added to Black Stag, "will send off the quipu and the lance of fire; in ten suns, thirty thousand warriors will be assembled on the plain of Conderkanki. I have spoken--begone."
The Black Stag bowed, and left the cuarto without reply.
"Is my brother content?" asked Antinahuel.
"Yes," the general replied; "and I will soon prove to my brother that I also can keep my promises."