"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.
"He and those whom he conducts," answered the chief. "I have need of my brother."
"_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 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.'"
"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.