Gustave Aimard
The Flying Horseman
CHAPTER VI
COMPLICATIONS
The same day, and nearly at the same hour, when Emile Gagnepain quitted the Valle del Tambo, a little troop, composed of seven or eight horsemen, followed a path a little distant from the encampment of the Guaycurus.
These travellers, well mounted and well armed, appeared to be Indians. A woman, or rather a young girl, accompanied them.
This young girl appeared to be of the age of fifteen years at the most. Graceful and sprightly, she allowed to float in disorder the silken ringlets, of her long blue-black hair upon her fair shoulders, slightly browned by the sun, which had given her complexion, a golden tint. Her fine skin, under which could be seen the course of the veins, preserved still the velvet down of youth; her features were beautiful, her eyes sparkling with humour; and her laughing mouth was formed with rare perfection.
She wore the costume of the women of the Guaycurus, that is to say, a long robe of striped cotton cloth fastened at the hips by the ayulate, that symbolical girdle that these women wear before marriage. A large mantle of the same stuff as the robe, which could, in case of need, cover her whole body, rested at this moment on the croup of her horse; little silver rings, strung together, formed a kind of necklace which she wore on her neck; metal plates; bearing different figures covered her breast, and golden half-hoops were suspended from her ears.
Her delicate little feet, aristocratically arched, were, imprisoned in elegant buskins or half-boots, made with the fibres of the palm tree.
The cavalier, who travelled side by side with the young girl, bore a striking resemblance to her. His features were fine and intelligent, his forehead and his eyes black and well opened. – Although he wore the complete costume of the Guaycurus warrior, he was not tattooed, nor had paint in any way soiled the whiteness his skin.
Although his height was scarcely above the average, his limbs slight, and his manners rather effeminate, it was easy to perceive that this elegant exterior was united to an ardent soul and a brave heart.
The other warriors composing the little troop were hard-featured men, with bronzed complexions, and of ferocious aspect, forming a perfect contrast with the two persons whom we have tried to describe.
"Shall we arrive soon, brother?" asked the young girl, at the moment when we enter on the scene.
"Soon, I hope," distractedly replied the warrior. "The indications we have bad appear to me to be favourable."
"Do you know, brother for what reason the Cougar has sent for us?"
"I do not know," answered the young man, with some hesitation; "the Cougar is a prudent chief, who does nothing without having maturely reflected on it."
"And we shall see Gueyma again?" asked she with animation.
"Is it not he, with the Cougar, who commands the warriors of our tribe?"
"You are right. I am foolish to ask you this question, brother. Oh, how happy I am!" she added.
"Dove's Eye," answered the warrior with severity, "do you not remember my advice?"
"Oh yes, brother," said she, blushing slightly, lowering her eyes; "but what harm is there in saying that, since you alone hear me?"
"Sister, a young girl ought to keep her feelings to her own heart."
"But you know how much I love Gueyma; you have yourself seemed to encourage our mutual liking."
"You mistake, sister; I feel always the same towards you; it is you, on the contrary, who – "
"Oh, do not blame me, brother," interrupted Dove's Eye, quickly; "do not mar by your remonstrances the joy that I feel. I promise you I will constrain myself."
The young man shook his head with an air of doubt.
"You do not believe me," pursued she; "you are wrong, Arnal; I will keep my promise."
"For your own sake, I fear the time when we shall again see our friends."
"Do not disquiet yourself about that, brother. I will be as cold and as impenetrable as a rock."
"You must not go from one extreme to the other. Without manifesting too much joy, you must assume an expression of frank and cordial satisfaction, in again meeting with the friends and brethren of our tribe."
"Well, I understand you, brother; you will have no occasion to be dissatisfied with me."
At this moment a warrior approached.
"Has Arnal remarked that the track becomes more decided?" asked he.
"What thinks my brother, the Agonti?"
"I think that we are on the track of a numerous troop of horsemen."
"Are they whites or native warriors?"
"They are whites, and those who call themselves soldiers."
"Yes, this track is very distinct. These men, whoever they are, march boldly forward. They feel themselves sufficiently strong, no doubt, to have no need of concealing themselves, but fortunately for us these travellers are proceeding in a direction contrary to that which we follow. We have nothing, then, to fear from them."
"Look, moreover, at the path by which they have entered on their route."
"We can, then, continue to push on ahead; but we cannot be too much on our guard."
"My brother, Arnal, may be tranquil."
"Good; my brother is a wise warrior. I have confidence in him," answered Arnal.
The Agonti bowed, and resumed his position in the advanced guard of the little troop.
Dove's Eye proceeded pensively by the side of her companion; the young girl seemed to have lost all her gaiety, and her charming carelessness. Her head falling on her breast, without noticing anything, with her little hand she gently whipped the horse, without knowing what she was doing – so absorbed was she by her thoughts. Arnal sometimes darted a side glance at her, and a smile of singular expression was perceptible on his lips; but for some reason or other, the young warrior did not manifest any desire to renew the conversation, and appeared satisfied with the obstinate silence of his companion.
Meanwhile the sun began to set, the black shadows of the trees lengthened more and more; night approached.
The Agonti appeared for some minutes a prey to anxious concern. Suddenly he stopped, alighted, stretched himself flat on the ground, and appeared for two or three minutes to listen eagerly.
The travellers had reined up their horses, and stopped.
A curtain of foliage enveloped them as completely as if it had been a thick wall; but it was transparent, and they could see through it, without being perceived, the path which they had so abruptly quitted, and which was only about ten yards distant.
"What is the matter?" asked Arnal.
"A numerous troop of horsemen is advancing," said the Agonti; "we must be prudent."
"Very good; you have acted wisely. Listen; they approach."
"Yes, in a minute they will pass before us."
"We shall reconnoitre them at our ease, without fear of being discovered by them."
"Do you think so?" cried a harsh and guttural voice, from the midst, of the foliage.
"Ah!" cried Arnal, with a gesture of joy; "The Cougar."
"It is I," answered the chief; "you did not expect, I suppose, to meet, me so soon."
"Just so," answered Arnal, "but I am glad of the good fortune that, has brought you to us. Have you, then, abandoned your encampment?"
"Since sunrise my warriors have resumed their march. They are following me."
"Is Gueyma with them, brother?" asked the young girl.
"Dove's Eye forgets," severely answered the old chief, "that a woman has no right to interrogate a warrior."
"I am wrong, I confess," said she, dropping her head humbly; "but my father loves me; he will pardon me."
"I forgive you, my child; but a young girl has no right to speak but when she is spoken to."
This sharp reprimand was tempered with a look so gentle, and a smile so sweet, that the young girl, blushing all the while, could not maintain any anger towards the old chief.
"You guessed, then, that we were here," asked Arnal.
"Did I not expect you?" laconically said the Cougar. "And now give your warriors orders to retire for the night."
The Cougar then made the young warrior follow him, and both again reached the path, while the Agonti arranged the camp, and had the wood cut, and the fires lighted.
As soon as he was in the path, he cast an inquiring look around him, to as to assure himself that he was quite alone with his companion; then he turned towards him, and appeared to wait till the latter should speak.
Arnal hesitated a minute. His eyebrows lowered as under the influence of some oppressive thought. The old chief smiled gently, as if to encourage him.
At last the warrior decided to speak; but, instead of the language of the Guaycurus, it was in Spanish that he spoke.
"How is he, since I saw him?" asked he. "Has he seen him?"
"Reassure yourself: he is well. All has passed in that interview better than you and I could have dared to hope," quickly resumed the chief.
"You swear it, Diogo?"
"On my honour, señor – " But immediately bethinking himself, he added: "Caballero, they have sworn friendship; they have exchanged arms."
"Oh, I thank heaven," cried Arnal. "But he?"
"He is always the same."
"What have you said to him?"
"Simply what it is necessary he should know – nothing more."
"Oh! I tremble, Diogo! I fear that he will not pardon me."
The old chief knitted his eyebrows.
"Not pardon you! No, no; hold up your head proudly; you have nothing of that kind to fear."
"I dare not hope," murmured Arnal.
"Silence!" answered the Cougar; "compose your countenance; reassume your self-command. Let us continue, for a few days, to act our parts, and especially let us carefully keep our secret."
"Oh, you are strong, Diogo," feebly said the young warrior; "but I, alas! – "
"You – you are Arnal, the bravest, and, despite his youth, the most renowned warrior of the Guaycurus; do not forget that."
The young man smiled through his tears.
"Oh! you are good and devoted, my friend," answered he.
The sound of the precipitate gallop of a numerous troop of horsemen was heard rapidly approaching, although, on account of the numerous windings of the path, it was impossible to perceive them.
"Rejoin your companions," hastily said the old chief, "and leave it to me to prepare your meeting."
"That will be the best," answered the young man.
And, after making a gesture of the hand to the Cougar, he re-entered the wood.
The old chief remained alone; his head fell upon his breast, and, for a few minutes, he appeared absorbed in thought; but he soon collected himself, casting around him a look of singular boldness and energy.
"It is not now that I ought to give way to weakness," murmured he, in a low and almost inarticulate voice. "The nearer the moment approaches, the more my will should become firm and immovable."
He soon found himself surrounded by Guaycurus warriors.
"Well," said the Gueyma; "why have you halted?"
"Because in this place we stay for the night."
"To camp already, when there are yet nearly two hours more daylight!" said the young chief.
"It if true," pursued the chief; "your observation is very just but it does not depend upon me."
"How is that?"
"Because the fires are lighted in the wood, and the encampments are prepared."
"The encampment prepared! By whom?"
"By friends – probably," answered the Cougar, with a strange smile.
"Ah!" exclaimed Gueyma, with an inquiring look.
"Yes, friends!" resumed the old chief, significantly "Did we not expect some? Dove's Eye, eh?"
"Let us be off, then!" cried the impetuous young man, putting his horse in train to dart forward.
But the Cougar suddenly stopped him, and, coldly laying his hand on the bridle:
"Do you remember the word that you have given me, Gueyma?" said he.
"But she is there."
"Yes, she is there; but what matters a few minutes?"
"A minute is an age for me."
"Is it thus that you answer me, Gueyma? Is it in this way that you keep your oath? Shall a woman's love make you forget your honourable engagements? Go, allow yourself to be overcome by a foolish passion; I do not count on you any longer."
The young man grew very pale at these severe words. For a moment he fixed an angry look on the bold old man, who looked at him with an expression of sorrow and disdain.
"Pardon me," he said, at last; "I was wrong. I thank you for having recalled me to myself. You shall not have to complain of me, Cougar."
"Come then," answered the old chief, joyfully pressing the hand which was held out to him; "now I am certain that you will not trespass over the bounds."
The two chiefs entered the wood, followed by their warriors, and they soon reached the camp, where Arnal waited for them.
CHAPTER VII
HOSPITALITY
Gueyma's and the Cougar's horses walked side by side, the riders modulating the pace, and stealthily looking around them.
Behind them pressed a crowd of Indians. Arnal and Dove's Eye, standing up near the principal watch fire, motionless, and hand in each other's band, directed their eyes towards the advancing troop. Dove's Eye was pale and trembling, but cool and calm in appearance.
Arnal smiled pleasingly at Gueyma, whose look, at times, was fixed upon him with unspeakable tenderness.
The Cougar alone seemed anxious.
When the two chiefs had come at about three or four paces from the bright burning fire, they alighted, and throwing the bridles on the necks of their horses, they bowed courteously to the young warrior, the latter immediately returning their salute.
"I am happy to see you, chief," said he, in a gentle voice. "Having set out several suns ago to meet you, I thank the Great Spirit, who has thus suddenly brought me to you."
Gueyma again bowed, affecting not to see Dove's Eye.
"I thank you, brother," answered he, addressing Arnal; "no camp could suit me better than yours."
"Will you take your place before this fire, brother?" resumed Arnal; "The air is cold in these mountains; warm yourself, while Dove's Eye prepares the repast."
Gueyma sat silently before the fire, without appearing to have noticed that the name of Dove's Eye had been mentioned.
These forms of politeness, strictly demanded by Indian etiquette, having been satisfied, the ice between the chiefs was broken, and the conversation became friendly and intimate.
Separated for a long time, as they had been, they had many things to say.
Meanwhile Dove's Eye had not lost time; the repast was soon ready to be served.
Among the Indians, the women are exclusively charged with all the cares of the household, and all the hard and often repugnant labour which in other countries fall to the lot of men. The warriors consider them rather as slaves, made to obey their least caprice, than as companions.
Dove's Eye, after having served the warriors with the dishes she had prepared, and having offered them a cimarron maté, seated herself discreetly, a little in arrear of the group, near Arnal.
It was then only that Gueyma appeared to observe her presence. He fixed his eagle eye on the young girl, and, holding out his hand in a friendly way:
"Eaah!" said he, with a smile, "Dove's Eye has consented to leave the valleys of her tribe to follow Arnal?"
At these kind words, the young girl became red as a cherry, and answered in a slightly trembling voice:
"Arnal is the brother of Dove's Eye; he has served her for father; wherever Arnal goes, Dove's Eye ought to follow him: it is her duty."
"Good, I thank Dove's Eye," said the chief.
"The place of a woman is where there are friends to love and serve."
"Dove's Eye remembers that she was, when an infant, received by the Guaycurus," said the Cougar.
"She remembers also," answered the young girl, with animation in her voice, "that she has been brought up by Arnal, the brother of Gueyma."
We must here make a short digression.
Tarou Niom, the principal captain of the Guaycurus, after a rather long absence, had one day arrived at the village of the warriors of his tribe, accompanied by Arnal and the Cougar. Arnal, although he was a man, and although he wore the costume and the arms of a warrior, carried, strange to say, an infant in his arms. This infant was his brother Gueyma, or, at least, this was what Tarou Niom said to those who made inquiries.
Things went on as usual for some years, when one day, on a return from an excursion which had been prolonged more than usual, the Cougar returned to the village, leading with him, or rather carrying in his arms, a charming little girl, two or three years old, whom he said he had found abandoned and dying from hunger, in a village which had been set on fire.
The little girl, so miraculously saved by the Cougar, had been adopted by Arnal, who had given her, on account of the mildness of her look, the characteristic name of Dove's Eye.
The two children had thus lived together, growing up in each other's company, so that their friendship had changed into love.
Arnal and the Cougar equally shared their tenderness between the two children.
But after a time, the friendship of the two children, which formerly he encouraged all in his power, seemed to irritate Arnal; his eyebrows knitted, he scolded Dove's Eye, and blamed her brother under the most frivolous pretexts; but, with an effort over himself, his countenance soon became serene, the smile returned to his lips, and he caressed the two children, pressed them in his arms with a feverish energy, and begged them always to love each other. Gueyma had become, thanks to his courage, one of the most famed warriors of the tribe; and, notwithstanding his youth, Tarou Niom, who loved him so much, had caused him to be chosen its chief.
The separation which ensued between Gueyma and Dove's Eye had been painful. It was then that, for the first time, the young people understood the power of the ties which bound them to each other; but they had to part.
The Cougar had great influence over the mind of the young chief, who professed for him a profound respect. Gueyma obeyed, despite his feelings, and left behind him his first love.
The joy of Gueyma was great in at last seeing Dove's Eye again, whom he did not expect to see so soon; but the first moment of wild joy having passed, remembering the recommendations of the old chief, he repressed, though with great difficulty, his delight, and succeeded in wearing a complete mask of indifference on his noble and beautiful countenance.
The young girl, wounded by this coolness, felt her pride revolt. As she concealed from him the feelings which agitated her, and studied the counsels of Arnal more, perhaps, than he expected, she sustained the conversation commenced between her and Gueyma with that power of coquetry which, while it is the despair of men, renders women so powerful, and she soon so piqued the young man with her incessant shafts, that he was constrained to confess himself vanquished.
On a sign from Arnal, Dove's Eye went to an enramada, or cabin of boughs, constructed for her, where she remained free to give herself up to her thoughts. The two warriors remained alone by the fire.
After having assured themselves that no one was watching them, and that all the Indians, enveloped in their blankets, were sleeping round the fires, the Cougar and Arnal began to converse in a low voice in the Spanish language.
Their conversation was long; the stars began to pale when they at last sought repose, which they did not do, however, without having visited the sentinels to see if they were watching over the common safety.
At sunrise the camp was raised, and the Guaycurus resumed their march.
Arnal, with joy, found that the direction followed by the young chief was that of the plains of Tucumán. Each step thus brought the Guaycurus nearer their hunting grounds.
The warriors appeared also to know that they were retracing their steps, and that they were at last leaving that Spanish territory, in which, during their struggle, they had so much suffered. Notwithstanding the impassibility which the Indians believe it a duty never to abandon, their features, unknown to themselves, had an expression of ill-concealed joy.
However, the Indians were too prudent to forget that they were in an enemy's country, and to neglect the precautions necessary to avoid a surprise.
Gueyma proceeded at the head of his warriors, in company with the Cougar, with whom he conversed, while Arnal and Dove's Eye remained in the rearguard.
On the evening or the second day, at the moment when Gueyma and the Cougar prepared to give the order to camp for the night, a horseman, galloping at full speed, turned an angle of the path followed by the Indians, and came towards them, waving above his head, as a sign of peace, a poncho that he held in his hand.
Soon another horseman appeared in the rear of his companion; then another, and another – amounting to six.
The unknown travellers appeared to be in a pacific humour, their carbines being slung over their shoulders.
With a gesture, Gueyma ordered his people to stop; then, after having exchanged a few words in a low voice with the Cougar, he gave his arms to the Agonti, who was standing aside, and advanced at a trot towards the horseman.
When the two men met, they examined each other, and discovered at a glance that both were Indians.
The two warriors bowed, each bending his head till it nearly touched the neck of the horse; then, after a short pause, Gueyma, seeing that the stranger wished that he should commence the conversation, said —
"My brother travels amidst the mountains in a bad season; the further he proceeds, the worse will the roads be."
"I do not wish to penetrate further into the mountains," answered the stranger; "I wish to get away."
"Then," said Gueyma, "my brother has lost his way."
"I know it," said the stranger, laconically.
"I do not understand my brother," said Gueyma.
"My companions and I have since the morning taken cognisance of the troop of my brother that we precede on the same path. On perceiving that my brothers made preparations for encamping, we held counsel, and I have been charged to retrace my steps, in order to consult with the chief of the cavaliers by whom we have been followed."
"Epoï!" (good!), resumed Gueyma, smiling; "The eye of my brother is straightforward, his tongue is not double, his heart must be loyal. I am the chief of the Guaycurus warriors, who are behind me. Let my brother explain: the ears of Gueyma are open. My brother may speak freely and without restraint."
As the two Indians perceived they were of different tribes, they had begun the conversation in Spanish – a mixed language that both could understand.
"Those who follow me," said the stranger, "are not sons of our territory, they are palefaces whose hunting grounds are very far from here, in the country where the sun hides himself, down there, behind the great Salt Lake.
"I am their guide in these regions which they explore and which they do not know. They come openly to ask aid and protection of my brother, claiming the rights of Indian hospitality, till they consider all danger past."
"Whoever may be the men who accompany my brother, to whatever tribe they may belong – even if they should be the most implacable enemies of my tribe – they have a right to my protection and my kindness. The rights of hospitality are sacred. Let my brother tell his companions that I do not wish to know anything about them; they are travellers – that is all – follow on. Here is my haak," said he, drawing a knife from his girdle, and handing it to the stranger; "if I betray my promise, my brother will bury it in my heart before all my assembled people. My brother and his companions will sleep this evening with the Guaycurus warriors."
The two warriors bowed, and then, reining back their horses, each returned at a gallop towards his people.
