Last of the Incas

le enemies, the bomberos and the Indians; and on this occasion i

ainting fit, felt so terrified that sh

lowered his weapon, made Pincheira a sign to imitate

ace; it is not proper for men to risk their li

others, while Pincheira stamped his foot impatiently. The Indi

your sister, my good fellow. I give

hree young men excl

d; "but what condi

chief answ

first rays of the rising sun a band of nearly one thousand Indians, well equipped, and

rust to your word, and have

e you, noble feelings, more so, perhaps, than others," he added, pointing to a red line that tr

latter felt themselves conquered by the magnanimity of the chief,

incheira, "let fresh hors

ira he

with a gesture ful

Nocobotha's superiority, obeyed, and five horses of great va

h; but, in my brothers' names and my own, I thank you for our sister. We never forget an insult or a kind

e bomberos grouped round Mercedes, re

Pincheira said, shrugging

botha answered,

sipated with the darkness, had again assembled in council. A few paces behind the chiefs, the Aucas and Puelche horsemen formed a formidable cor

heir peaks. Such was the landscape, if we may call it so, in which these barbarous warriors stood, dressed in strange costumes near the symbolic tree. This majestic scene involunta

nt where it had been interrupted by the

greement ceases; his nation and mine will form one and the same family, whose herds will peacef

iefs, who smoked in turn, passing the pipe to each other till the tobacco

ear that your alliance will not be broken until you can

swea

ht shoulder, stretched out the right hand to the sac

y my lips wither and my tongue

arks of joy that were the more lively because they knew what great misfortunes this feud had

their places at the council fi

other wish to make to the Ulme

or a moment, and then looked

whose countless tribes only a few centuries ago covered the vast tract of land contained between the two seas, are now reduced to a small band of warriors, who, timid as llamas, fly before our despoilers. Our sacred cities, the last refuge

r conquerors despise our religion, and they wish to bow us beneath the tree of the crucified man. They outrage our wives, kill our children, and burn our villag

effect was heightened by the most majestic gestures, a quiver ran alon

the electrified Ulmens

smiled proudly

a few days, if you are willing, we will drive the whites far from our borders, and requite them all the evil they have done us. I have l

rrupted him, wit

have any intention to force myself on you as chief and grand Toqui of the army! No; you must choose your leader freely, and after having elected him, obey him blindly, follow him everywhere, and pass through the most formidable perils. Do not deceive yours

led with the crowd of chiefs, with a serene brow,

t had he gone to their hearts. For a long time the council was affected by a species of delirium, all speaking at once. When tranquillity was restored, the wisest among the Ulmens discussed the opportunity of taking up arms and the chances

nt of the sacred tree of Gualichu, and after the performance of the sacred rites to render the spirit favourable to us, that war is declared against the Spaniards, our despoilers. As the war is holy,

cheered Lucaney, but he

and unlimited power, the wisest, the most prudent, and the man most worthy to command us. This warrior is t

entre of the circle, bowed to the Ulmens, and said, in a proud accent, "I

great Toqui!" t

'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' Each chief will send the quipus to his nation, for at the end of this moon we will arouse our enemies by a thunderclap. Go, and lo

g, rejoined the escort, and soon

em a little distance away. Nocobotha, with his arms folded, droo

ira said, "we

at such a heavy task. Do those primitive men thoroughly understand? Are they r

friend. What, the

are worthy of such an enterprise. I w

through its nostrils, came up to the two Ulmens, before whom he shopped dead, by a prodig

med; "Oh, there is not a mom

atter?" Pinche

u. Tonight at the pass of the

u going

onight we

ted, and dashed off li

disappeared, and solitude and silenc