Last of the Incas

s veneration than fear. This genius is called Achellenat Kanet by the Patagonians, Quecuba by the Aucas, and Gualichu by the Puelches. And, as the latter have more especiall

tes back to the most remo

the traveller wearied by a long journey across these oceans of sand. It rises to a height of thirty-five or forty feet, all twisted and prickly, and its withered trunk is rounded into a large cavity, in wh

cotton ribbons; while on all sides garments, more or less injured and torn by the wind, are affixed to the thorns, which gives this sacred tree the appearance of an old clothes' shop. No Indian, whether Aucas, Patagonian, Puelche, or Tehuetche, would venture to pass it without le

ing into account, and is only arrested by accidents of Nature, of which it makes gods. These people strive to mak

, rendered still more striking by the density of the darkness, and by the storm which was approaching. Heavy black c

hout regularity. Before each toldo crackled a bright fire, round which two or three Indian squaws were crouching

was surrounded by twenty Indians, who stood apathetic and contemplative, and whose grand war pa

of them dismounted, and threw his horse's bridle to his comrade, and walked into the cir

said, looking round him,

Indians responded; "are all the

the exception of Nocobotha,

t be long;

cond whistle was heard, and two fresh horsemen en

lsed Almagro and his cuirassed soldiers in 1555, who triumphed over the unhappy Valdivia, and who, though constantly fought by the Spaniards, were never vanquished. The Aucas offered an asylum to the Incas whom Pizarro hunted like

os, who borrowed from the Indians this garment and the short blue and red striped poncho; his boots armed with silver spurs, and cleverly sewn with the tendons of animals, were made of the tanned hide of the guemul, a species of llama; his hair was divided at the back of the head into three tails, fastened together at the end with a tuft of wool, while in front the rest of his hair was raised and fastened with a blue ribbon, which, after three turns, fell on one side, and terminated in small pieces of rolled up silver. Hi

sensation among the chiefs; all bowed before

tha! No

, and took his place in th

rey of the Rio Negro has raised its melancholy cry; the night is dra

the Indians answered, "to implore the

er, Metipan, is wise. L

, went up to Nocobotha, whispered something to him, and then returned to his place. The T

mong us! Attent

ough the ranks, and each Ind

" they shoute

," Nocoboth

aitor's ear as a vain sound, for the Aucas diale

rcle, and uttered three different times the hoarse croak of the urubús. He leant against the trunk of the tree

e him, and menaced him from all sides. Pedrito, to whom flight w

for you, dog

ward!" the In

ered in a rough voice. "

sion. "He is one of those rats of the Pampa, whom the Spania

ians yelled anew. "D

ocobotha, "who da

the master silence

are you?" Pedrito replied with a grin, and crossi

ould not die; you

mself. He has always the resour

haps

to ta

d no harm will

o never s

ntroduce yours

Indian jugglery, and learn the o

take that into consideration. Come! Re

mad, my

o was boiling with rage,

Indians writhed on the sand. While the others hesitated, Pe

ay," he

he warrior

y,

nd left, cutting and pointing. Nocobotha threw him

"my worthy chief, with the d

they had to contend with, believed, owing to the darkness and the number of dead, that a considerable reinforcement had arrived, and began dispersing in all directions,

ito, had hastened up to their brother; they helped him to g

ed, "Down with t

which he responded by a cut that scarred his adversary'

shall recognize you, if ever we

ef said, as he fir

ed in his turn, as h

len had not his s

aid, in a faint voice. "Courage, brot

rst moment of panic had passed, being able to count their enemies, returned to the charge and threatened to overwhelm them by their numbers. The position was horrib

here; in a few minu

es prance to ward off the blows, "We

rs, was not ignorant that th

while his brothers were defending themselves on all sides at once, slipped down to the ground, an

, what is t

re unable to save h

ard,

he collision was terrible; still, a few seconds later, the bomberos, saved from danger by their incredib

sand; so they contented themselves with picking up their de

, when they are obstinate," Pinchei

ver I place my foot on their chest, they will expia

voted to you," Pi

he hour arrives, I shall r

but at present what

on my head compels me to fire

finish with these accursed

lly hate your

heart, and that

ou the opportunity to

aven he

n assembled round the cou

u, where the Indians were grouped, motionless, silent,