CHAPTER XXI.
Santiago. Almagro displays his Treasures. Jack and Maria set out to search for Pinones. The Encounter with the Indians. Jack carried off. The arrangements for the Pursuit and the Recovery of the Captive.

"I HAD lived only among woods and mountains, apart from all my kind, and therefore to me the sight of the crowded city of Santiago was wondrous. I gazed in speechless admiration on the innumerable houses, the steeples of the churches, and the rich woods and gardens which half hid the city; and I was so bewildered and dazzled as to be absolutely helpless when we alighted from our wearied horses before a spacious hotel, which I believed was a palace.

"Mr. Douglas was soon surrounded by friends; he knew some English merchants who were settled in Santiago, and through their means was enabled to have the remains of Mrs. Carruthers deposited in consecrated ground. Proper medical advice was procured for the afflicted husband, whose health improved daily; but his depression of spirits continued unabated, and Mr. Douglas saw that at present it was hopeless to expect his aid in any commercial transactions.

"A few days after our arrival, Mr. Douglas discovered that all the contents of his abandoned waggons had been | | 245 safely brought over the mountains, and deposited in the custom-house; the officers of the department having rewarded the men who had conveyed the property honestly and safely to its destination. But there was now little prospect of their being able to open or work a mine; the most skilful of the miners whom he had brought out, after reaching Santiago, and waiting long for his return, had finally engaged themselves to some enterprising speculators, and embarked for Lima. The rest of them, after depositing the tools with which they had been entrusted by the custom-house officers, had dispersed in different directions, hopeless of seeing their employers again.

"I was kindly treated by every one; I was conducted over the whole city, and beheld with wonder the number, the regularity, and the cleanliness of the streets; the elegance of the buildings, the display in the shops, and the noble cathedral, which was built, as Mr. Carruthers told me in the Moorish style of architecture, and woke in my mind remembrances of the proud towers my father used to talk of, as existing in that country which he ever loved to call his own.

"I admired the gardens, blooming with flowers of exquisite hue and perfume, which occupied the courts of the houses. I wished to procure every flower to bring to Esperanza, but some, I was told, were too delicate to bear the journey or the change of climate; yet faithful to the promise I made to my friend Charles, I procured seeds of the most brilliant and fragrant of the annuals for the fair gardeners at home. Then I was taken to the rich vineyards at the quintas, or country houses of the suburbs, and wished much that I could have transported to this spot the graceful plants, which were even then beautiful with the rich clusters of the unripened fruit. I consulted my friends, and Mr. Carruthers was of opinion that the grape might certainly be ripened in the long hot summer of this climate, and the vines protected in the winter; it all events that we might make the experiment. I have brought some young plants, carefully packed by the obliging friend of Mr. Douglas, who also wrote a paper of instructions for the cultivator.

"I then signified my wish to return to my best friends, who would, I knew, be anxious on account of my long absence. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas regretted that we must part, and Mr. | | 246 Carruthers begged me to tell Mr. Merton, that he felt it now his duty to return to England, and to enter the church, his original destination till his marriage, when the great objection Mrs. Carruthers had to become the wife of a clergyman induced him to relinquish his intention, an act which he greatly deplored, and he hoped for the future to devote himself to study, and to the benefit of his fellow-creatures.

"'And tell my dear Mr. Merton,' added Mrs. Douglas, "that I hope we shall at last, all gather round him at Esperanza, I see no reason now why we should remain in this un-home-like town--I love the country; but William Douglas says it will take much time to settle the affairs of his unlucky mining project. Then, Henry must join us, he is anxious to do good, and there is work enough to do among the heathens in the wilds of America.'

The good lady was indefatigable in collecting useful remembrances to send to her friends; and I was compelled to remind her that I could not possibly manage so many loaded mules as would have been necessary for the conveyance of all her purchases, and she reluctantly desisted from increasing them.

"When all was ready, I waited a few days to join a large party who were crossing to Mendoza, as the security of numbers was doubly desirable with the embarrassment of riches which now weighed on me.

Our separation was painfully affecting, for we had been together through toil and sorrow. Mr. Carruthers, as a parting gift, presented me with his own watch, a memorial I shall ever value. My passage across the mountains was comparatively easy. We had experienced guides, who saved us from many of the inconveniences and dangers to which the lonely and ignorant traveller is exposed; and except the painful recolections suggested by the sight of the lonely casueha, and the perilous pass, where we had endured such affliction, the journey was cheerful and pleasant.

"When we finished the descent from the mountains, and. reached the Pampas, I parted from my agreeable travelling-companions, and, to their great astonishment, took the road towards the south. They remonstrated with me on the madness of proceeding alone, with my valuable train of mules, on a track where I should hourly risk an encounter with the In- | | 247 dians; but I scoffed at fear, and, by God's aid, have reached you in safety. I was certainly alarmed by the strange cry uttered by my dear Jack, whose voice I did not recognise; but though I raised my rifle, I was determined that, only in the last extremity, would I shed the blood of a fellow-creature. And now, my beloved friends, that I am once more with you, I should be perfectly happy, were it not for the one melancholy and perplexing thought that ever haunts my mind."

"You must not be unhappy, Almagro," said Mary, "for Jack and I have considered several plans over for seeking Zara. We are all convinced she is living, and that you will meet again."

"May God grant it! my kind-hearted children," said Almagro. "But see how late it is! my long story has kept us beyond the hour of retiring. To-morrow you must examine my packages."

And then, after the evening devotions, they separated well pleased, after the labor and interest of the day.

The next morning was full of excitement, for all the novelties had to be inspected: there were several useful carpenter's tools, a scythe, and two reaping-hooks; and the most conspicuous package was an especial gift for Nanny, from her old friend Mrs. Douglas. It was a large square basket, with open bars on one side, filled with real living poultry, six having survived the journey; these arrived in good condition, and when they were turned into the little poultry-yard, and Nanny heard the crowing of the cock, and the clucking of the hens, she wept with joy.

A box, from Mrs. Douglas, contained handsome books, vestments, and a small silver communion service, for the use of the church; and, by the order of Charles, Almagro had purchased a large bell to be raised over the building. Mr. Carruthers had sent some books, maps, paper, drawing materials, a flute, and another guitar. There were some pieces of India calico and nankin, needles and thread, and a small hamper of crockery. A most useful present for Dr. Lewis of a well-filled medicine-chest, and a complete case of surgical instruments, was brought by the order of Charles, which had been augmented by the attached friends at Santiago.

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There were many other useful donations to the community, procured by the liberality of Charles, including two copper-pans, a large quantity of tea and sugar, and a hamper of wine and brandy, which was by the desire of all immediately put in charge of Lewis, to be considered as medicine. Almagro had also succeeded in procuring some neat lamps, which could be burnt with animal oil; and as much ammunition as he could conveniently bring. A great quantity of seeds, cuttings of fruit trees, with a number of trifles, all of great use, completed the cargo.

"I have but one package more--it is my own forlorn hope," said Almagro, as he produced a large packet of colored beads. "These I hoped might aid me in my attempt to reach my daughter."

Nanny had in the mean time been arranging the kitchen, which she declared was now complete. "I defy her Majesty, Queen Victoria, to show me better pans, though, likely enough, she may have more of them. Master Charles is a gentleman; and, if it please God to spare me, I hope to dance at his wedding. To think of his sending all that way for such a grand red cloak and velvet bonnet for me, that I might go to church dressed like a Christian. And for him to think of the cheese-mould too! See what a cheese he shall have soon."

And Nanny spread her table, which was now a good, smooth, firm table, made by experienced hands, and she declared the table was a sight to see, set out with china plates, and the roast beef and potatoes on their "nat'ral dish." Then there was a real loaf of wheaten bread, an extravagance not usual; and fresh butter, such as Westmoreland dairy-maids can make; and she promised a peach-pie, baked in a proper pie-dish, on the anniversary of their arrival at the hut, which would be two days after.

After they had dined, and while the young ladies were arranging the books, maps, and all the new acquisitions, the active workmen fitted up the bell over the church. The erection was not a miracle of art; but it answered the purpose of suspending the bell, which would be useful not only to call them to prayer, but to summon the absent in time of need. They tried the sound, and were all satisfied with it.

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"Truly we ought to be thankful to the good God," said Mr. Merton, "who brought us from the wilderness into this pleasant land, and has surrounded us with multiplied blessings. But, my children, we must not take our ease here in selfish indolence. God had some wise purpose in view when he placed us here. Let us act!"

Mr. Merton was not active himself; but he loved to preach action; and as he continued to enforce this duty, his words became powerful and effective, and the happy little party felt convinced that it was not their duty to live for their own enjoyment: the world had a claim on them.

"Yet the Swiss Robinson family," observed Matilda, "lived very easy and pleasantly, caring nothing for the rest of the world."

"As the story places them," replied Mr. Merton, "this inaction was unavoidable. But we are not left on an inaccessible island; we are amongst hordes of wretched heathens; we ought not to rest; our mission is to labor, to spread the blessings we enjoy among our destitute fellow creatures; and God himself will surely point out to us the way to accomplish his ends."

"I am quite ready," said Jack; "what shall I begin to do first?"

"Well, if you please, Master Jack," answered Nanny, "As you were always a good hearted lad, will you begin by getting me a great basket full of them--fir apples--I call them. I never could abide to set them before Christians for meat; but if I had some now, I could roast and mash them up, and they would fatten the poultry famously; for young folks should be wiser than to give good meat to dumb animals." This latter remark was directed to Mary, who was scattering maize in the poultry-yard.

"Nanny is quite right," observed Lewis "the pinones are certainly the most nutritious and economical food we can give to the fowls, so we must all collect them in spare moments."

It was in pursuance of this counsel that Jack and Maria stole forth one fine evening with their baskets, not speaking of their intention to the rest of the family, who, weary with the labors of the day, had sat down to read or draw. For some time the absence of the lively pair was unnoticed, but | | 250 when it was remarked, Mrs. Merton became uneasy; and Matilda suggesting the probability of their having rambled to some of the mountain woods for pinones, Lewis proposed that, instead of ringing the bell, which might summon unpleasant visitors, he and Charles should follow their track, and bring them home.

They set out, feeling no uneasiness, as they expected the young ramblers would have confined their search to the woods on their own side of the river; but when they reached the shore, they were vexed to see that the adventurous pair had placed large stones to form a temporary bridge over a shallow part of the stream, much lower in the valley than the settlement.

"The stream is already too low, from the absorbing heat of the last few days," said Lewis, "to be a secure defence to us; and we must certainly not permit this very easy mode of access to remain, to invite any passing Indian to visit our settlement. When we return, we must make the wild young pair assist us in removing their bridge."

"I think we might easily construct a moveable wooden bridge," said Charles, which we could withdraw with pleasure, for it is really inconvenient and dangerous to cross the river on foot. I have often thought of the plan. We have tools, materials, heads, and hands, and we must certainly set about it."

After crossing the river, they followed the track to the wooded hills, which separated the valley from the Pampas--certainly a great distance for the young people to have strayed; but on these hills the pines were most abundant. They ascended the hills, and were taking the road down the descent towards some well-known pines, when they were struck with dismay by the sound of continued piercing shrieks. They forced their way rapidly through the wood till they reached the plains, and there, at a considerable distance, they saw Maria standing, her hands lifted up, while she uttered the loud cries which caused them so much alarm. When they reached her, she gazed wildly at them, then, sinking down on the gound, she cried out, in a frantic voice, "He is lost forever! We shall never see him more! What will become of my dear, kind mamma! And will she ever forgive me!"

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Dr. Lewis, in a firm tone, commanded her to restrain her immoderate and useless grief; and to tell them the cause of it.

The girl made a great effort to subdue her feelings, then, in a voice scarcely articulate, she said, "The barbarous Indians have carried him off, and it was all my fault; my dear, dear Jack!"

"But when? and where?" asked Charles, hastily. "Point out the road the wretches have taken, that we may pursue them."

"Alas! it is long since," answered the weeping girl. "I cannot tell you what time has elapsed since, for I fell on the ground when I lost sight of him, unable to move or cry. It was long before I recovered; and now they must be far beyond pursuit, for they galloped like lightning towards the south."

"And now, Maria," said Lewis, in great perturbation, "compose yourself, and tell us how this distressing event occurred for I see how useless the attempt would be for two unmounted men to pursue the Indians on their swift horses."

"We were in the wood, just above the plain," said Maria, "and had nearly filled our baskets with pinones, when I heard a rushing sound, and through the trees I saw a number of Indians on horses, galloping towards the south. I believed they were going to Esperanza, and that fear bereft me of reason, for though Jack made me a sign for silence, I scarcely noticed it, and could not forbear uttering a loud scream. The Indians stopped and looked round; then Jack said, 'Hide yourself Maria, and I will go and meet them.' He plucked a green branch, and, springing down the wood, ran across the plain directly to the man who rode at the head of the party, and who wore long white plumes.

"I saw Jack address the Indians; but I was at too great a distance to be able to hear the words. I covered my eyes, lest I should see the barbarians murder him. Again I looked up, for I heard his voice; he now spoke loudly, and in English. 'For the sake of Mamma,' he said, ' be still. Return home, and say I am safe.' I heeded not his request; I endeavored to follow him; but my limbs were paralyzed with agitation and I could not extricate myself from the bushes. | | 252 When I ventured to look up again, I saw my dear Jack mounted before a strong fierce savage; I saw also that his bands were bound, and that he was a slave. My strength returned, I rushed forward; but alas! it was too late. The whole troop were flying over the plain, carrying with them my brave, my beloved brother, the victim of my rash folly."

The sorrowful girl burst out into new lamentations, and it required even a degree of severity on the part of Lewis, to compel her to subdue these violent demonstrations, and to proceed homewards, where it was needful they should immediately return, to communicate their distressing tidings.

"My dear Lewis," said Charles, "what shall we do? how shall we break the fatal event to our friends? and then how must we act to endeavor, even at the risk of our lives, to recover the noble and heroic lad? Consider some plan, for you have more prudence and judgment than I have."

"Prudence and judgment we must use, Charles," answered Lewis; "but even with these counsellors we cannot command success. Our first care must be to discover, if possible, the situation of our dear boy; but even then, I fear it would he alike dangerous and fruitless to attack the tribe openly with our small force. Our aim must be therefore, if he he living, to labor to effect his escape secretly."

"If they had not meant to spare his life," said Charles, "I do not see why they took the trouble to carry him off. These tribes of the Pampas, are not cannibals, like some of the South Patagonians and Fuegians. I shall certainly set out to search for their tents."

"I believe," said Maria, "that the leader was the same chief who commanded at the attack on Esperanza. I remarked the same form of head-dress, with the silver band: and from the observation I was able to make by torch-light, I feel convinced that I distinguished again the same tall and graceful figure."

"I trust it may be so," answered Lewis, "as it indicates that the tribe cannot be very distant from us. Besides, I should be glad that the knowledge of our existence should, at all events, be confined to one tribe."

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After crossing the river, they removed the stepping-stones and then, slowly and reluctantly, went forward to that pleasant home, of which they were compelled now to disturb the peace, perhaps for ever. Before they reached the gate they met Mr. Merton and Mary, anxiously walking on to seek them. No sooner had he cast his eyes on the diminished number, than Mr. Merton turned pale, covered his face, and said: "My boy my unfortunate boy is slain!"

"Not so, my best friend," said Lewis. "He is well, and I hope we shall soon have him with us again; but, for the present, he is removed from us."

They reached home, and then, with caution and delicacy, Lewis revealed the sad fact to the family, adding all the cheering circumstances of hope he could venture to point out; but no light of hope appeared to the unhappy family, who were at once plunged into sorrow, even into despair.

"His death I could have borne with more fortitude," said the hapless mother, "than this frightful uncertainty of his fate. We know these savage heathens are, by nature, cruel and revengeful; and why should they spare him? Perhaps they carried him off but to torture, to put him to some cruel death, or, at best to consign him to a slavery worse than death."

Dr. Lewis pointed out specially to the parents, the advantage Jack possessed in being able to speak Spanish fluently, for most of the Pampas Indians understand that language, from visiting the Spanish settlements, where they exchange hides and ostrich feathers for iron and tobacco. Then the bold and frank address of the lad, his dauntless bravery, his skill in riding and hunting, were qualities likely to attract these uncivilized people to induce them to spare him, and even to be kind to him.

"And who knows what a blessing may arise from dear Jack's residence with the Indians," said Tom. "It may be, papa, that God has ordered it, to open to us a way of communication with a people appointed to be instructed and enlightened."

"I am reproved, my son," replied Mr. Merton. "The ordinations of God are ever just and merciful; and this, our first sorrow must humble our pride and confidence. I will pray to be resigned. Follow me, my children, let us humble | | 254 ourselves before God, and petition for his mercy and protection for our beloved lost one."

Surrounded by his afflicted family, the good father offered up those earnest prayers that are never offered in vain; and then, overcome with the painful excitement of the day, the family retired; not to rest, but to consider plans for the discovery of the unfortunate Jack.

"Now, my children," said the pale and anxious father, when they met in consultation next morning, "My duty and inclination alike call on me to seek my son. I will go forth, clad in the armor which God gives to his ministers,--Faith in his blessed word; and thus armed, I will preach the Gospel to the heathen."

"That, I fervently trust, you shall do, my dear sir," said Lewis; "but this is not your favorable moment, believe me. You are not able to gallop across the Pampas, to ford rivers, to travel night and day, regardless of food or rest, in order to search out the robbers and obtain restitution. Let the young and active undertake this duty; your hour will yet come, I feel assured."

"But I may, surely, be permitted to go in search for my brother," said Maria. "I can ride and endure hardships. I would enter the tents of the Indians, and entreat them to restore my brother to me."

"That cannot be, Maria," replied Lewis, firmly. "We know your ardent desire to aid us, but your presence would only impede our efforts; a female would sink under the hardships of our proposed journey, and could not possibly assist us. And now, my friends, I am of opinion, that out of the four who are really fit for this attempt, two must be left to protect the fortress. I leave you to determine who shall have the honor and responsibility of the adventure."

"May I speak, Lewis," said Matilda. "I will not direct, but I may advise. I think you, or Almagro, must be left in command of the fort; for Tom is too dreamy, and Charles too hasty, for the office."

"My dear girl, you are quite right in this instance," answered Lewis. "And because our dear friend Almagro's feelings might become too deeply excited in any encounter with his foes, and discretion must be one of our strongest weapons, I propose to lead the party myself, taking Charles | | 255 for my aide-de-camp. Almagro will carefully protect the dear family here; Wallace will be a staunch and vigilant sentinel, and you, Matilda, must take care that Tom does not dream. And now, Charles, let us set out; no time must be lost; I will mount Pampero, and you must take old Niger, who is strong as well as swift."

The preparations were soon completed; the saddle-bags were filled with charqui and biscuits, some colored beads, and a supply of ammunition; bolas and lassoes were attached to the saddles; each had a long knife in his girdle, a double-barrelled rifle for himself (and they did not forget to carry one for Jack), and across his shoulder a long bullock's horn suspended, to carry water. Each had a good telescope, procured by Almagro at Santiago, and each wore a warm poncho which was to form his bed at night; for no hardships were to be regarded in this important undertaking.