The Smuggler Chief

ingle gesture which could reveal any anxiety, stood leaning on his rifle with a smile on his lips. So soon as the Spaniards had

en, that we shoul

," Diego repli

," said Leon, "things have occurred of

are

ich you consented to make with the S

n of it, and your

ter all, we have nothi

t as regards my personal interests," the half-breed added, his l

do you

er, if you wish to know more, come, and you will see that t

de of the tent. On reaching that point, Diego lay down on the ground, invited Leon to imit

ing wrong,

other replied

sons who were conversing, while not losin

t is that you, whom I fancied at Santiago

range things have happened si

ked Inez, whose cur

implore you," said

of. At various times, however, it attempted to shake off this disgraceful yoke; and the Indians, beaten and dispersed in various encounters, appeared to comprehend how ridiculous these claims were, and have refrained, during the last two years, from claiming the tribute, and making incu

the guard asked them at the moment

ans replied, who appeared to exercis

cer replied, wit

h they resolved to send him a deputation of twelve warriors, chosen from the twelve great Molucho nations, in order that the dissensions which have, up to this day, reig

and, as the senate was assembled, orders were at once given to introduce the Indians with all the

orms, they did not appear at all dazzled by the sight of this unexpected pomp; they slowly advanced towards the foot of the dais on

,' the President said, in a

who had hitherto spoken replied. 'Guatec

ent bowed h

ndian sons des

he seventh moon of this year round the council fir

ied with the possession of the lands w

he tribute they consented to, as

ing the Indians whom they capt

ompel the sons of Bheman to reno

e liberation of the plundering and vagabond Indians. Only one reply was possible, a pure and simple refusal. This was given; but then the Indian, whose stoicism had not failed him for a single instant, drew, wi

and when, a quarter of an hour later, the President ordered them to be pu

ted, who had been listening with sustained attentio

thout truce or mercy, and which, incr

said D

ng that the Araucanos, more than fifty thousand in number, had crossed the Bio Bio, and were firing and destroying all th

dering me at the same time to explore the neighbourhood of Talca. I eagerly accepted, and set out with the rank o

the se?orita Soto-

e to his merit; but, now that I think of it, he must have passed in the vicinity, and I am surprised that you have

at he passed at a distance during one of your nig

hat my brother was unable to embrac

The duty of a soldier is superior to family joys. As for you, Don Pedro, though the news you have brought us is afflicting to the heart of a Chili

at easy stages, in order to assure myself of the state of the roads as far as Valdivia, and if you intend

y to go to Valdivia, and as we are close

but it is because I have not yet

med to hesitate b

eral and his wife said

rrect, the Indians have plundered and burnt your f

in a hollow voice; "and if I have only that

elling, "that your brother Don Luis has been utterly ruined by a band of Indian br

onally affected him, but on learning that which had assailed his brother, he could

ursed race is, these Indians! Oh, why cannot I crush to the last of these impious cowards who have done me so much injury? Don Pedro, fight them, make them perish in the most cruel torture

ow pallor, and a nervous tremor agitated his limbs. The remembrance of all the hatreds of former day

nemies under their blows, and since a Soto-Mayor is fighting, I ought rather to bless heaven for not allowing me to die ere I had seen the triumph of my race. My brother has recovered,

nt to Leon, making him a sign t

claimed, sorrowfully,

id. "As the old man remarke

l-fated

nhappy is the family which, born to command millions of men, finds itself reduced to wande

o help your vengeance because

oo

inued; "would the noble lion murder timid hares? Avenge yours

exchange my brother has left me at liberty to dispose of the others. Remember that a Tahi-Mari was

other; I re

s hardly nine in the evening; the night was calm; thousands of stars glittered in the azure of the celestial vault, spreading over the peaks of the mountains wh

o startled, stretched out his head, and with his

exclaimed, as he looked roun

ther whistle was heard in th

nake, I tell you

id Diego, sei

e half-breed shook off the ash, and threw it in the air, where

me," he s

ere

ting to the wood, in front o

t to

will

as he pointed to the tent in which

at r

rea

ego said, fixing his flashing eyes on

case I

s, bro

nd bales which formed the outer wall of the camp, disappeared