Gustave Aimard
The Insurgent Chief
CHAPTER IV
THE TWO CHIEFS
By degrees, as the Guaycurus warriors advanced towards the mountains, the landscape assumed a more severe and a more picturesque aspect.
The road, or rather the path followed by the troops mounted by an almost imperceptible slope, by risings of earth which serve, so to speak, as gigantic steps to the first chain of the Cordilleras.
The forests became more dense, the trees were larger and more closely packed to each other. Hidden streams might have been heard murmuring – torrents which precipitate themselves from the height of the mountains, and, uniting, form these rivers, which at some leagues in the plain acquire great importance, and are often large as arms of the sea.
Large flights of vultures wheeled slowly, high in the air, over the horsemen, uttering their harsh and discordant cries.
Gueyma had not neglected any precautions that the Cougar had recommended him; scouts had been dispatched in advance in order to search the woods, and to discover, if possible, the tracks that they suspected would not fail them in these regions.
Other Indians had quitted their horses, and, right and left, on the flanks of the troop, they searched the forests, whose mysterious depths could well conceal an ambuscade.
The Guaycurus advanced in a long and close column – thoughtful and silent – the eye on the watch and the hand on their arms, ready to make use of them at the first signal.
The two chiefs marched in front, about twenty paces from their companions.
When they were in the middle of a thick forest, the immense masses of verdure in which not only deprived them of a view of the sky, but also intercepted the burning rays of the sun; and when the horsemen, whose horses were passing through a long and thick grass, filed through the trees silently as a legion of phantoms, the Cougar placed his hand on the arm of his companion, and making use of the Castilian dialect —
"Let us speak Spanish," said he; "I do not wish any longer to delay giving you that information I have promised you. If we have to be attacked, it will only be in the neighbourhood of such an unlucky place as that in which we now find ourselves; it is one of the best chosen for an ambuscade. I am much deceived if we shall not soon hear resounding under these arches of foliage the war cry of our enemies. It is time, then that I explained myself clearly to you, for perhaps it will be too late when we arrive at the encampment. Listen to me, then, attentively, and whatever you hear me say, my dear Gueyma, concentrate in yourself your emotions, and do not exhibit in your features either anger, joy, or astonishment."
"Speak, Cougar; I will conform to your advice."
"The time has not yet come," pursued the old man, "to reveal to you the whole truth. Let it suffice, at present, to know that, brought up among the whites, whose faith and customs I had adopted, and for whom I professed, and profess still, the most sincere devotion, it is not for you, Gueyma – for you whose birth I remember, and whom I love as a son – that I have consented to abandon the numberless enjoyments of civilised life, to resume the life – precarious and full of dangers and privations – of a nomadic Indian. I had taken an oath of vengeance and devotion. This oath I believe, I have religiously kept. The vengeance, long time prepared by me in secret, will be, I am convinced, so much the more terrible as it, will have been slow to strike the guilty. In the great act that I meditate, Gueyma, you will aid me, for they are your interests alone that I have constantly defended in all I have done, and it is you, more than I, who are interested in the success of what I wish still to do."
"What you tell me," answered the young chief, with emotion, "my heart has had a presentiment of, and I have almost guessed. For a long time I have known and appreciated, as I ought, the faithful and almost boundless friendship which you have always manifested for me. You will, therefore, render me this justice Cougar, that I have always conformed to your advice, often severe, and have allowed myself to be blindly guided by your counsels, that I have scarcely ever understood."
"It is true, my boy, you have acted thus; but when we talk between ourselves, call me Diogo. This is the name they formerly gave me when I was among the whites, and it recalls to me ineffaceable memories of joy and of grief."
"Well, my friend, as you wish it, I will call you so between ourselves, till you permit me, or till circumstances permit me to resume boldly in the face of all a name which I am sure you have honoured all the time you have borne it."
"Yes, yes," answered the old man, with complaisance, "there was a time when the name of Diogo had a certain celebrity, but who remembers it now?"
"Resume, I beg, what you commenced to tell me, and do not dwell any more on painful memories."
"You are right, Gueyma; let me forget them for a time, and return to the affair that I am going to confide to you. What I have said has no other design than that of proving to you that, if often I have apparently arrogated to myself the right of counselling you, or of wishing you to modify your plans, this right was acquired by long services and a devotion under all circumstances to yourself."
"I have never had, my friend, the thought – even for a moment – of discussing your acts or counteracting your projects. I have, on the contrary, always studied to bend my convictions to your long experience."
"I am pleased to render you this justice, my friend; but if I insist so much on this subject, it is that the circumstances in which we are now placed demand that you have entire confidence in me. In a word, here are the facts: the Brazilians, believing they no longer want us, now that they have seized upon the greater part of the towns of the Banda Oriental – thanks to the civil war which divides the Spaniards, and obliges them to fight against each other rather than against the common enemy – would not be sorry to be free of us, and to allow us to be crushed by superior forces. Forgetting the services that, from the commencement of the war, we have rendered them, the Brazilians, not only in a cowardly way abandon us, but, not content with that, they wish to deliver us to the enemy, in the hope that, succumbing, notwithstanding our courage under the weight of superior force, we shall be all massacred."
"I feared this treason," answered Gueyma, with pensive air, sadly shaking his head. "You remember my friend, that I was opposed to the conclusion of the treaty."
"Yes, I even remember that it was I who induced you to conclude it, and that from consideration to me alone you consented to throw down your quipo in acceptance in the council. Well, my friend, from that moment I foresaw this treason; I will say now – I hoped it."
The young chief turned sharply to his companion, looking at him with the most lively surprise:
"I begged you," resumed the old man, without in any way manifesting emotion, "not to show on your countenance any sentiments which, during our conversation, might agitate your heart. Collect yourself, then, my friend, in order to avoid awakening the suspicions of our warriors, and allow me to continue."
"I am listening to you; but what you say to me is so extraordinary – "
"That you do not understand me – is that it? But, patience; you will soon have the explanation of this mystery, especially as I shall be able to give you this explanation without perilling the success of the projects that I meditate."
"All this appears to me so strange," said Gueyma, "that my reason almost refuses to comprehend it."
The Cougar smiled silently, and after having cast an inquiring look around him, he unaffectedly approached his companion, and, leaning towards his ear —
"Do you like the whites?" he asked.
"No," decisively answered the chief; "but I do not entertain any hatred towards them. It is true," added he, with an ill-concealed bitterness, "that I am too young yet to have had to suffer from their tyranny."
"Just so; however, my friend, if it is allowable for me to boast before you of my experience, let me tell you that every sentiment is unjust when it is exclusive; that the life you have led, the examples you have had under your eyes, indispose you towards the company of the whites. I understand this, and do not reproach you with it; but you should not, even if you should have had to complain of one or of several of them, render them all responsible for the crime of some, and include them in the same hatred. Amongst the whites there are some good. I even intend soon to make you acquainted with one of them."
"Me!" cried the young man.
"You, certainly; and why not, if it conduce to the success of our plans?"
"My friend, you speak in a way that is entirely incomprehensible to me; my mind seeks vainly to follow you, and to grasp your meaning in the midst of the inextricable network in which you are pleased to entangle it. Be plain with me, and do not let me thus fatigue myself to no purpose in trying to guess your meaning."
"Well, in a few words, here is what has happened: The Brazilian general with whom we treated had but one motive in entering into relations with us – to remove us, for reasons that he thinks are known to himself alone, but which I know as well as he does from our hunting territories, and to remove us in such a way as we should never return to them again."
"But it appears to me that if such were his design he has attained it to a certain extent."
"Perhaps he has realised the half of his plan, but the other half will not succeed so easily. This man is not only the enemy of our tribe, but he is your most implacable enemy, and his most anxious desire is to make you succumb to him."
"Me! But he does not know me, my friend."
"You think so, dear Gueyma; but I am in a better position than you to judge the matter; believe then, the truth of my words."
"It is sufficient; I am happy to know what you tell me."
"Why so?"
"Because the first time that chance brings me in his presence I shall make no scruple to cleave his head open."
"Be careful not to do that, my friend!" cried the Cougar, with a start of fear. "If – which I hope will not happen – you should find yourself face to face with him, it will be necessary for you to feign – I will not say friendship – but at least the most complete indifference to him. Remember this advice, and make use of it if occasion require. Vengeance has been prepared for him long ago, and will only succeed when a good opportunity offers. What I tell you appears to you, I know, incomprehensible; but soon, I hope, I shall be able to explain myself more clearly, and then you will acknowledge the truth of my words and how far I have been right in recommending prudence. I do not wish to insist anymore on this point; we shall not be long before we reach the spot assigned for the encampment, and, I have to speak to you of another person towards whom I shall be happy to see you process the most frank and amicable sentiments."
"And who is this person, if you please, my friend? Does he belong to our race, or is he a white?"
"I speak of a white, my dear Gueyma, and, moreover, of a white who, up to the present time, you have thought one of our deadliest enemies; in a word, I mean the chief, whom the Spaniards call Zeno Cabral."
"I admire the prudence which you manifested at the commencement of this conversation, in recommending me not to allow myself to express any mark of surprise, and to preserve an impassive countenance."
"Yes, you sneer," answered the Cougar, with a slight smile, "and apparently you are right; however, before long – as always happens when people have not been in a position to thoroughly examine facts – events will show you are wrong."
"Upon my word I avow to you, my friend, in all sincerity, that I ardently desire – and you can believe me, notwithstanding all the injury this chief has done us since the commencement of our expedition – I feel myself attracted towards him by a feeling that I cannot analyse, and which – in spite of the wish I have often had to do so – has always prevented me from hating him."
"Do you speak truth? Do you really feel this instinctive attraction towards this man?"
"I assure you it is so; I feel myself constrained to love him; and if you proved to me ever so little that he ought to be so, I assure you that I shall not feel any displeasure in following your injunction."
"Love him then, my friend; follow the impulse of your heart; it will not deceive you. This man is indeed, really worth your friendship, and you will soon have the proof of it."
"How so?"
"In the most simple way. I will soon present you to each other."
"You will make me acquainted with Zeno Cabral?"
"Yes."
"That is what astonishes me. Why, he will not dare to come into our camp!"
"In case of need, at my call, he would not hesitate to do so; but it is not in this way that we must act. He will not come into our camp; we, on the contrary, will go to find him."
"We?"
"Certainly."
"Oh! Oh! Have you well reflected, my friend, on the consequences of such a proceeding? If this man should spread a net for us?"
"We have nothing of that sort to fear from him."
Gueyma lowered his head with a pensive air. For a long time the two chiefs continued thus to ride side by side without exchanging a word, absorbed each by his own thoughts. At last the young man looked up and said:
"We shall soon be at the spot where we have decided to camp till the hottest part of the day passes. Have you nothing more to say to me?"
"Nothing at present, my friend. We shall soon resume this conversation; now we must instal our warriors in a secure position, for, perhaps, we shall remain in this encampment longer than you suppose."
"What! Shall we not set out again in a few hours?"
"It is scarcely probable, but for that matter you will decide for yourself when the time has come."
And as if he wished to prevent the young chief asking him a question that he probably would not have cared to answer, the Cougar checked his bridle, and stopping his horse, allowed his companion to pass him.
Meanwhile, the pathway broadened more and more, the forest became less dense, and, after having turned a corner, the Indians came out on to a kind of rather large esplanade, entirely denuded of trees, although covered with a tall and coarse grass. This esplanade formed what in Mexico they call a voladero, that is to say, that from this side the base of the mountain – which the Guaycurus had traversed almost without perceiving it, by a gentle declivity, worn away by the streams, or by an inundation produced by one of those convulsions so frequent in this country – formed beneath the esplanade an enormous cavity, which gave it the appearance of a gigantic balcony, and rendered it on this side almost impossible to attack.
On the opposite side, the flanks of the mountain were escarped in abrupt blocks of rock, on the edge of which the vicuñas and the lamas alone would have been able to place their delicate feet without fear of falling.
The only accessible points were those by which the esplanade was reached – that is to say, the path itself – a point most easy to defend by means of some trunks of trees thrown across it.
Gueyma could not retain a smile of satisfaction at the sight of this natural fortress.
"What a misfortune that we must in a few hours abandon so advantageous a position!" murmured he.
The Cougar smiled without answering, and proceeded to organise the camp. Some warriors went to seek the wood necessary for the fires, others felled several trees, leaving all the branches on, and which thus formed an almost impregnable entrenchment.
The horses were unsaddled and set at liberty, so that they could get at the green grass, which they began to eat heartily.
The fires lighted, they prepared the morning meal, and the Guaycurus warriors soon found themselves installed on the esplanade in as firm a position as if they intended to make a long stay, instead of only stopping there in passing.
When the sentinels were stationed, the meal was finished, and the warriors were stretched here and there to repose – according to the invariable custom of Indians, who do not think that, unless in exceptional circumstances, they should remain awake when they can sleep – the Cougar approached Gueyma.
"You feel fatigued?" he asked, with a significant gesture.
"Not at all," answered he; "but why this question?"
"Simply because I intend to go out a little on discovery, to assure myself that the country is clear – that we have no ambuscade to fear on our march; and that if you like to accompany me while our warriors repose, we will go together."
"I should like nothing better," answered Gueyma, who felt that the excursion was but a pretext to deceive the warriors, and to account for their own departure.
"If it is to be so," pursued the Cougar, "let us set out without waiting any longer; we have not a moment to lose."
The young man immediately rose and took his gun.
"We go on foot?" said he.
"Certainly, our horses would embarrass us; they would only retard our progress, which, moreover, ought to be secret."
"Let us go then."
The two chiefs immediately quitted the camp by the point opposite to that by which they had arrived, but not without having recommended an older chief to replace them during their absence, and to watch with the greatest vigilance over the common safety.
They were not long in disappearing in the midst of the thick shrubbery and trees by which the track was bordered on either side.
They walked at a good pace, contenting themselves by at times casting an enquiring look around them, without taking any other precaution to conceal their presence.
Gueyma silently followed the Cougar, inwardly asking himself what was the design of this mysterious excursion.
As to the old man, he advanced without any hesitation, proceeding through this labyrinth of verdure with a certainty which showed a perfect knowledge of the place, and previously determined plan, for the two chiefs had left the track, and without following any path they walked straight on, surmounting the obstacles which from time to time came in their way, without turning to right or left.
In about half an hour they reached the dry bed of a torrent, which formed a large hollow in the mountain, and clinging with hands and feet, with that skill which characterises the Indians, to the rugged stones, the tufts of grass, and the branches of shrubbery, they began to descend rapidly by a rather rude declivity, and which, to any other men, would have presented great difficulty, and even danger.
About halfway down, the Cougar stepped on a fragment of rock, before a natural excavation, whose gaping mouth opened just before him.
After looking in all directions, the old man made a sign to his companion to place himself near him, and pointing to the cavern:
"It is there we are going," said he, in a low voice.
"Ah!" answered the young man, with as smiling an air as he could affect, although his curiosity was much excited; "If that is the case, let us not stop here any longer; let us enter."
"One moment," pursued the Cougar, "let us first assure ourselves that he has arrived."
"Arrived! Who?" asked the young man.
"He whom we wish to see, probably," said the old man.
"Ah! Very well; only it is you, not I, who wish to see the person of whom you speak."
"Let us not play upon words, my friend; it is as important to you as to me, believe me, that this interview takes place."
"You know that I allow myself to be entirely guided by you; I think I have even given proof of exemplary docility. After this conversation which is about to take place, I shall probably be in a better position to know of what importance to me is this proceeding, which, I avow, I only enter upon with misgiving; although, I repeat, I feel myself attracted towards this man."
The Cougar opened his lips as though he was about to answer, but immediately changing his mind, he turned with an abrupt movement, and, after having again explored the locality by looking around him, he imitated twice the cry of the condor.
Almost immediately a similar cry came from the cavern.
The old man quickly approached the entrance, and slightly leaning forward, as he cocked his gun to be ready for any emergency:
"We have walked a long time, we are fatigued," said he, as if he addressed his companion; "let us rest here a few minutes; this solitary place appears to me to be safe."
"You will be received there by good friends," immediately replied a voice from the interior of the cavern.
The sound of steps was heard, and a man appeared.
The newcomer, clothed in the picturesque costume of the Banda Oriental, was no other than Zeno Cabral.
Gueyma remarked, with a surprise which he did not attempt to conceal, that the chief of the Montonero had no arms, at least, apparently.
"Welcome," said he, bowing with graceful courtesy to the two Indian chiefs; "I have waited for you some time, I am happy to see you."
The Guaycurus captains bowed silently, and followed him, without hesitation, into the cavern.
