CHAPTER XXII.
The Search for Jack on the Southern Pampas. The Indian Bridge. Discovery of the Indian Huts, and Jack in Captivity. The Indian Hunters. The Escape, The Destruction of the Bridge. A terrible Nocturnal Visitor.

AFTER Almagro had received their last injunctions, the two gentlemen parted from their mourning friends, and continued to ride along the banks of the river till they reached its confluence with the large stream, which flowed to the south; then they paused to consider whether they should attempt to cross the river, or continue to travel towards the south. On the latter course they finally agreed; and riding swiftly over the level plain, proceeded about fifteen miles before they permitted the weary horses to rest. They then carefully examined the country round them they were on a grassy plain upon which lofty trees were scattered with the graceful order of Nature; but no trace of man appeared. The agouti was bounding over the plain, the partridge spring- | | 256 ing from the long grass, the parrot chattering on one tree and the mockingbird repeating the unmusical note from another. It was a beautiful solitude, and the two friends sighed at the conviction that the solitude had never been disturbed.

"We are certainly not on the track, Lewis," said Charles; "and I regret now that we did not bring the sagacious Wallace, he would certainly have tracked his friend Jack."

"I had the thought myself," replied Lewis, "but I was unwilling to deprive the fortress of its best guard; and, moreover, I believe it would have been an act of imprudence, for we could not certainly have approached the tents secretly if the dog had been our companion, and open defiance would have been madness."

Charles climbed a tall tree, and swept the country with his glass, but was unable to discover a smoke to guide them in their course; and after an hour's rest and refreshment, they once more mounted, and, travelling more to the south-east, accomplished fifteen miles more before excessive fatigue and the increasing darkness compelled them to desist. They selected the shelter of a large tree for their lodging, tying the horses to the tree with a long lasso, which permitted them to feed. Then, lighting a fire to guard them from the wild beasts, they ate a little food, and lay down rolled in their ponchos; and though the night was cold, and the solitude mournful, they slept profoundly.

They rose at daybreak, and after breakfasting on bread and water, which they had brought with them, for they had only continued a few miles on the course of the river, they again surveyed the country, and fancied that at a great distance towards the east they could distinguish cattle or horses on the plain. They concluded that the Indians would be most likely to settle on a spot frequented by cattle, and therefore set out in that direction, though Lewis was unwilling to go so far from the Cordilleras.

But this day passed, like the preceding one, without their meeting with any trace of man, or seeing the cattle, which had probably fled before them. They saw only the ostrich scouring the plain, which had now become undulating, and the grass new rich and thick, but, to their great distress, they reached no water. They believed that they were now about twenty miles from the Andes, though the lofty mountains ap- | | 257 peared still close at hand, and they had travelled about fifty miles south from Esperanza.

The third day, the water they carried in their horns was exhausted, and they went on with languid frames and fainting hearts. Lewis suggested that their best plan now was to proceed directly south, by which means they must certainly reach one of the many rivers which flow from the Andes, and towards the evening they heard, long before it was in sight, the joyful sound of the rushing water.

They set forward with new vigor, and at length reached the lofty hanks of a noble river; but it was some time before they found a break in the rocky shores, which enabled them to reach the water, and enjoy the delicious draught, in which luxury the panting horses gladly participated. Then, reluctant to leave the long-desired acquisition, they lay down under a tall willow, close to the stream, and slept the sleep of the weary. It was not till the next morning that they were struck with the embarrassing thought of how they should cross the river. It was not more thwu twenty feet broad, but, confined between steep banks, it was deep and rapid. They did not dare to risk swimming the horses across the torrent, as besides being weakened by fatigue, the animals carried the precious stores of their provision and ammunition.

"Surely," observed Charles, "there will be a ford lower down; for the maurading Indians, in their excursions to the north, must necessarily cross the river."

"There can be no doubt of it," replied Lewis "we must therefore ride down the shore, and shall thus, at all events, have no scarcity of water to-day. Besides, I think that I now observe a large lake lying to the left."

"There certainly is," answered Charles, "but tell me, Lewis, what are those curious gorgeous birds crowded on the banks?"

They rode up the lake, which was a large salina, and in the beds of mud on the banks, the birds continued to wade about, careless of their approach.

"These bright creatures," said Lewis, "are flamingoes. Observe the long slender neck, and immensely long legs of the bird, which, though the body is not larger than a goose, stands as high as you, and at a distance, when standing in | | 258 line with their bright scarlet plumage, you might take a flock of these birds for a regiment of soldiers. They are now busy seeking for the worms which burrow in that briny mud of such ill-odor, and I think the flesh of the bird can scarcely escape the taint; so we will leave them to parade their beauty in unmolested peace, and content ourselves with our hard charqui; not even being tempted to try that extraordinary luxury of the epicurean Romans, a dish of flamingoes' tongues. See, Charles, these large crystals in the mud are gypsum, and these are sulphate of soda; I regret that we dare not encumber ourselves with them at present, but, doubtless in the salinas near Esperanza we might discover the same deposites."

After riding about two miles down the river, they arrived at a sort of suspension bridge, of indifferent wormanship [sic] , evidently formed by untaught men, but truly welcome to their sight. Three short, strong poles were driven into the ground, about a yard apart from each other, to each of these was fastened the end of a thick strong rope of twisted hide; a sort of platform was laid on these three ropes, by attaching a number of transverse rods close together, twisting the ropes round each end and the middle. This platform was stretched across the river, and secured to three posts in the same way on the opposite side. The appearance of this bridge, which was much curved and very narrow, with no protection at the side, was alarming. Lewis walked upon it himself first--he found there was a dangerous oscillation; but there was no other resource, so they dismounted, and, one after the other, led the unwilling horses over the perilous pass. The poor animals trembled greatly, but, by keeping exactly in the middle of the bridge they all got over in safety. Lewis then paused, and looking at the bridge, he said, "Charles, we must mark this spot, and take care to strike on it at our return, if God spares us to return."

They were now confident of the direction, and became more cautious, as they were certainly on the track of Indians; they even saw the marks of the horses' feet on the grass, and they were careful to follow the same track exactly, that they might leave no trace of their own. When they rested to eat their scanty meal, Charles mounted a tree, as usual, to take a survey around. "Come up, Lewis," he cried, "and tell | | 259 me if you do not see smokes; I believe we are near the enemy now." The smokes were indeed within a mile of them, and it was necessary to use double caution and consideration.

On the right hand, about twenty yards from them, a thick wood extended far to the south, and riding up close to this protection, they proceeded onward slowly and watchfully, determined at the least alarm to take to the wood. When they arrived within a quarter of a mile of the smokes, they came in sight of a group of dark hats; then plunging into the wood, they made their way through thickets till they reached a convenient spot, where a little pasturage was left uncovered by bushes, and securing their horses, they sat down to consult.

"Our first endeavor," said Lewis, "must be to ascertain if Jack is actually in the power of this tribe; our next must be to open a communication with him. As this appears to be the nearest settlement, though it must be sixty or seventy miles from Esperauza, we have reason to conclude that these men must be the robbers."

"I have no doubt of it," answered Charles; "but you will see, my dear Lewis, that we must separate, it will never do to risk all our force at once; permit me then to take my rifle and go forward to reconnoitre."

"Thank you, Charles," replied Lewis "but I have a fixed notion that I have the cooler head of the two. I will take the first chance, and if I fall or am captured, do your best, my good fellow."

They shook hands, and the tears were in Charles' eyes when he reluctantly agreed to remain in the same spot till Lewis returned, or, at least, for some hours. "At all events," he said, "I shall mount a tree, and establish a lookout."

Lewis assured him he intended to follow the same prudent plan, and took his leave. Firm as his nerves were, and strong as the friendly motive which prompted the attack was not without an acceleration of the pulse that he stole cautiously through the bushes till he reached a narrow streamlet which he crossed with ease, and then found himself opposite to the end of the cluster of huts, which were arranged in a semi-circle, facing the south.

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Lewis was not fifty yards from the huts, and could see that these wretched habitations were merely formed by placing three poles triangularly, tied together at the top, and covered with the hides of oxen or horses, a small opening being left at the side. The hut that stood in the center of the semi-circle had a more finished appearance; it was of square form, and much larger than the rest, but, like them, was only covered with skins. Before the huts, a number of children, quite naked, were rolling about, playing with two or three spiteful-looking curs, the sight of which alarmed Lewis greatly, lest they should scent the approach of a stranger. Two or three women were standing watching the children. They were not ungraceful in form or features; their complexion was a clear brown, their eyes dark and lustrous, and their long black hair, which was plaited in tresses, hung down their backs, ornamented with the colored feathers of the parrot and flamingo. The heads were encircled with colored fillets, and a loose poncho, of coarse wool or skin, was thrown over the shoulders, leaving the arms uncovered.

Lewis had now ascended a tree of sufficiently thick foliage to conceal him, and he thus obtained a better view of the unconscious Indians. After a few minutes, he saw a woman come from the entrance of the principal hut. She was dressed with more taste and neatness than the rest: a poncho of brigbt scarlet flowed down to her feet, and her head was gracefully ornamented with silver bands, and the waving feathers of the ostrich. She was followed by a slight tall figure, clothed in a skin poncho, and leading a little child. The fair hair announced one of a different race, and Lewis felt immediately assured that this disguised figure was Jack.

The woman, turning to caress the child, appeared to be conversing with the attendant; a circumstance which greatly delighted Lewis, who saw that Jack's aptitude to accommnodate himself to circumstances had robbed his slavery of its worst features, restraint and ill-treatment. The skin-clad attendant then caught up the child, and began to sport with it, throwing up a ball and catching it, and, by his graceful and active movements, Lewis recognized with certainty the dear lost lad.

After the game at ball had continued some time, the female took the child, and retired into the hut; but Jack moved to | | 261 a distance from the rest, and stood leaning pensively against a tree. Lewis thought this a favorable moment, and he ventured to utter the peculiar note of one of the shrikes, which the young people at Esperanza frequently amused themselves by imitating. This bird, Saurophagus sulphusatus, was commonly heard near the shores of the river, which it frequented in the autumn, when it was migrating from the north, to catch the small fish. Its peculiar shrill notes were always pleasing, to Maria, who told her friends that this bird was named by the Spanish Guachos Bien-te-veo (I see you well), from its cry resembling these articulated sounds. Jack looked up at the first cry, and then resumed his melancholy position and air; but Lewis repeating the notes more sharply, he started, appeared to meditate for a moment, and then answered in the same familiar notes. He seemed at once himself again, understanding that friends were at hand; and he was about to cross over to the wood from whence the sound proceeded, when the loud discordant blast of a horn was heard. To this succeeded the sound of voices, and the trampling of horses, and a large body of Indians appeared galloping towards the huts, dragging after them their long spears, and the dead bodies of several bullocks, mares, and guanacoes.

At the sound of the horn, Jack had withdrawn into the hut; but when the Indians arrived, he again appeared, with the lady in scarlet, and the little boy. A number of women rushed from the huts tumultuously, greeting their mates, and seizing the produce of the chase. They commenced, with long knives, to skin and cut up the animals, and the ground before the huts was speedily a scene of carnage. In the mean time the men led their horses to the corral, an inclosure, that lay between the huts and the wood in which Lewis was concealed. The chief, however, who was distinguished by his silver diadem and snowy plumes, retired, with the lady and child, into the large but, leaving his horse in charge of Jack, who led it to the corral, whistling loudly as he went, the familiar air, "Meet me by moonlight," to the great satisfaction of Lewis, who understood that Jack was making ready for the attempt.

Having turned the horse into the corral, the boy returned to the outside of the huts with the silver stirrups and trappings of the horse, and sitting down, he began to clean them | | 262 with grass. Tnen putting down his work, he went forward towards the wood, gathering, as he went, some dry moss as if for the purpose of rubbing the harness. He wandered on till he was not far from the tree in which his friend lay, and Lewis ventured to say, in a low, distinct tone, "Be prudent, prompt, and ready; when can you come?"

Jack, still stooping with his face to the ground, answered, "At midnight, if possible: they are all fatigued--they will not go out to-night. Do you want any provision?"

"We should be glad of some slices of beef," said Lewis; adding again, "be very calm and prudent."

"But, I had nearly forgotten one thing--the dogs?" said the boy, inquiringly.

"Give them meat," said Lewis, "over which you must strew this powder," and be flung down a paper containing a preparation, which was in fact intended for the jailer, if he had found Jack in confinement.

Jack hesitated, and then said, "I cannot kill them, Lewis, for I know them all."

"My dear lad, I promise, this will stupify, but not injure them," said Lewis.

Jack was satisfied, and snatching up the paper, he concealed it under his poncho, and returned, with a handful of moss, to clean the harness. For some time a great confusion continued before the huts: the women cut long strips of flesh,which, with the skins of the animals, were hung up to dry. Then they feasted on the raw flesh, and washed their hair in the pools of blood. It was a revolting sight, and Lewis, who felt some interest in the female who appeared to be the mistress of Jack, was glad to observe that she, as well as the chief, remained in their but during the noisy revels: and Jack. after he had concluded his task, took the harness into the same hut.

All this time Lewis had not dared to leave his concealment in the tree, lest some accident should betray him. At length darkness came on one after another the Indians retired to the buts, and all was still. Then, by the light of the young moon, he saw Jack steal out, carrying a large piece of meat, which he threw to the dogs, which were then noiselessly quarrelling over the fragments of the feast. They rushed on the new spoil, and soon tore it in pieces and devoured it; a great | | 263 satisfaction to Lewis, who was confident of the success of the preparation which was a powerful opiate. In another hour all was silence, and he trusted, security.

He watched anxiously for several minutes; then he heard a rustling sound below the tree, and a whisper of "Lewis! dear Lewis!"

The boy had actually crawled through the long grass, and by the dim light, had been unmarked, even by the watchful Lewis.

In a moment he was down from the tree, and seizing Jack's hand, was plunging with him into the thick wood.

"Stay one moment, Lewis, and tell me, have you a horse for me?" asked Jack.

"We have not, my boy; you must mount behind Charles on Niger," was the reply.

"I have a lasso; and I think I can take one from the corral unperceived," said Jack; putting a large piece of beef into his friend's hand, and unrolling the lasso.

This was a dangerous undertaking, but the necessity was great; and though Lewis was aware Mr. Merton would not have sanctioned it, he consented to the experiment, determining to turn the animal loose when they reached home. So Jack crept quietly to the corral, and selecting a horse he knew to be swift and untiring, he led it out quietly, and brought it safely into the shelter of the wood. They moved onward without a word, till they reached the anxious and half-despairing Charles. No time could be spared for greeting; they mounted without delay, and dashed forward over the plain, as nearly as Lewis could calculate in the track they had come on in the morning; but the moon was set, and they had to rely greatly on the sagacity of the horses.

For five hours they travelled without rest, and morning began to dawn; still the river, anxiously looked for, was not in sight. The horses began to flag, and they proposed to take a short rest; but just as they drew up, Charles exclaimed, "Hist! I fear we are pursued!"

It was too true; they could distinguish the rushing of the horses, and the cry of the pursuers through the clear morning air. They looked on each other with dismay: "On! on!" cried Lewis. "Let us only reach the river, and we may yet | | 264 escape. We surely cannot now be far from it; and see, we are on the track that leads to the bridge."

In fact, the horses, even in the dark, had kept on the beaten road, and now, as if sensible of the danger of their riders, they presed on vigorously. Charles looked back; he saw a dark moving mass at a distance, threatening destruction; a few minutes after he looked again; the Indians gained upon them another quarter of an hour and they were lost. "Lewis!" he cried, "all is over; the Indians are close at our heels."

"Hark! Charley!" answered Lewis; "listen to the music of the torrent! Now, my good fellow, I know you can swim the river; so you be making ready, as we gallop on. You must save its!"

In five minutes they reached the bridge, and dismounted. "Now Charles," said Lewis, "you remain here till we lead the horses over. Give us your clothes, which you are better without. As soon as we have crossed, cut the ropes on your side; I will do the same on the opposite side. Then plunge in, and swim over. But first let me throw this long lasso round your waist, the end of which I shall attach to my arm for we will not have you sacrificed for our sake."

All was accomplished with the speed of lightning. They crossed the bridge in safety; and while Jack held the panting, trembling horses, permitting them to drink, and feast on a mouthful of grass, Lewis and Charles at the same moment cut the stroag ropes through at each end of the bridge, which was immediately whirled down the rapid stream, and was out of sight before Charles, holding his lung knife between his teeth, had swam across. The Indians were now within a hundred yards of the river, shrieking loudly, and threatening with their long spears and though the young men were rather curious to see the effect the loss of the bridge would have on their pursuers, thought it prudent to move forward, though they now proceeded leisurely.

They looked round when they heard the loud cries of the Iniians on their discovery of the stratagem, and saw that great confusion pervaded the party; who, finally, rode off swiftly down the course of the river.

"I hope they have no other bridge," exclaimed Lewis.

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"I have reason to believe they have not," said Jack. "And it will take weeks to out the wood and make another. I think they are following the stream in hopes of recovering the bridge."

"I trust they may go on," answered Lewis; "for it must be a tremendous impediment that could arrest such a cumbrous float; and it would take a long time to replace it."

"I know that this bridge was formed when the river was frozen over," said Jack "and they were thus able to cross it. None of this tribe can swim, or would venture to swim their horses over a river like this. But we must always be on the watch; for I know we have many a weary league to pass before we reach dear Esperanza."

They were all of opinion that it would now be advisable to diverge towards the mountains, as the woods which extended along the foot of the rocks offered shelter, and many streams were to be met with; besides they were certain of losing no ground if they followed the sure guidance of the Cordilleras. They soon fell in with a shallow stream flowing directly from the mountains, and Jack proposed that they should ascend in the water for some miles, and thus disguise the track, which the Indians can readily detect on the plains.

The plan being approved, they rode up the stream for five or six miles; then entering a thicket of low trees, they set down to rest themselves and their weary horses. They even ventured to make a fire and boil some beef, for hungry as they were, they could not eat it raw. Then Jack heard the story of the distress at home, and the anxious search made by his two friends.

"We must defer hearing your story till we get home, Jack," said Charles. "Only tell me, is that graceful, scarlet-robed princes, an Indian?"

"No, Charley; that is the best thing in all my story," replied Jack; "but I cannot help telling it now. That is Zara! Almagro's Zara. And she knows her father is well, and is our dear friend. And she knew I meant to escape; but the tribe are all so ferocious she could not help me. Now I will tell no more till I get home."

"As if we did not know all now," said Charles, laughing, "How Zara is the wife of the noble looking chief; and how | | 266 she was divided between her duty to her husband and her father."

Lewis stopped Charles declaring it was not fair to extort the story by anticipations and guesses; so Jack was allowed to preserve all that remained of his secret till he got home.

After dinner they accomplished another fifteen miles, still approaching nearer the mountains; then entirely worn out for want of rest, they unharnessed the horses, tied them to trees, and wrapped in their ponchos, with their saddles for pillows, slept profoundly. An unusual growling sound awoke Charles, who, looking up drowsily, saw two large eyes glaring through the bushes.

He was wide awake in a moment, and, seizing his rifle, was about to fire, when a large puma sprung across Jack, who was lying at the feet of Charles, and alighted on the unfortunate Indian horse, which Jack had tied close to his own sleeping-place. The huge beast seized the head of the horse, and drawing it back, dislocated the neck; and in a moment had plunged into the woods beyond with its spoil, and was out of sight. Charles was mortified that he had lost the opportunity of firing at the beast; but Lewis, who as well as Jack was waked up with the tumult, was only too grately that they had all escaped, and that the puma had preferred horse flesh to human flesh.