His companions threw themselves on the ground, and he crept away. Instead of ascending higher, the Indian soon disappeared behind one of the numerous masses of granite. His absence was so long, that his friends were preparing to resume their march, at whatever risk, when they saw him come running quickly.
"Well, what is going on?" Valentine asked. "What makes you have such a joyful countenance?"
"Curumilla," Joan replied, "has burnt the forest behind the rocks."
"What good advantage can that conflagration procure us?"
"An immense one. The warriors of Antinahuel were concealed among the bushes and beneath the trees; they have been forced to retire."
"Let us be gone," said Valentine, "it will be hard if, with the assistance of these three resolute men, I cannot save my poor Louis."
Followed by his dog Cæsar, who looked at him, wagging his tail, he followed Trangoil-Lanec, who trod in the steps of Joan. In twenty minutes they found themselves at the foot of the rocks, from which Don Tadeo and Curumilla made them joyous signals of welcome.
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.
"In ambush In front of the palefaces who so roughly saluted us an hour ago."
"To capture them somehow," Antinahuel replied.