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CHAPTER XXVI.
The Death of Paul's Mother. The Visit to Esperanza, and Meeting with Cangapol and Zara. The Grand Reception in the Rock. Mr. Merton sets out on a Mission. The Seige of the Rock. The Slaughter. The Field of Battle.

"IT was the last request of my mother," continued Paul, "that I, the Cacique of the tribe, should endeavor to make my people Christians like myself. She called round her the old men of the tribe, and told them her happiness in knowing the true God. They scoffed at the words, as the ravings of fever. She then imposed on them, as they dreaded a heavy vengeance, the promise never again to disturb the peace of the settlers at Esperanza. The whole tribe swore that, unless driven to it by aggression, they would never war against the fair tribe of the mountain valley.

"At the last hour, even the stern old men and the bold youths were awed by the sight of the noble woman's peace of mind in the agony of a death of suffering. The women wept, and said, 'Cacique, when death comes to us, bring the God of the Christians to us, that we may die thus.' I spent many days in mourning, and in endeavoring to win the men from bloodshed and robbery. Then I said, 'Brothers, I go to bring a messenger of God to speak good words to you. Listen to him--reverence him--and permit him to depart in peace.'

"This was pleasing to them, and I mounted my horse, leading also Pampero, on whom I cannot look with pleasure since my mother's death, though doubtless the accident was ordained by God to save her soul. I departed with no guide but Wallace, to seek you, for I was ignorant of the road to your retreat. But no sooner were we in sight of the wood., than he plunged into it; I followed him unwillingly, for I could not believe that any refuge could be found in the perpendicular steep before me.

"And now, beloved father, go with me to the tolderia, and show to my ignorant people the way of salvation. You are | | 309 safe under my protection; still more, you are safe, for you are on the errand of God."

Mrs. Merton turned pale as Paul uttered this request; though she had anticipated it; but she still doubted the power of Paul to control his people. She pleaded that Mr. Merton was ignorant of the language of the Indians.

"Many of my warriors have visited towns," said Paul, "and understand the language Mr. Merton speaks to me; and I can interpret his words to the rest." But no objection would have deterred Mr. Merton from going, he would immediately have set out; but it was agreed that Paul should remain with them a day or two, should visit Esperanza, and hear all their plans of restoration.

Two days passed, and on the Sunday they ventured for the first time all to go to Esperanza, and have divine service; and the good Mr. Merton's thanksgiving for the event, and for the safety of his little flock, was not heard without tears. On leaving the church, they were astonished and alarmed to hear the trampling of horses. They were unarmed, and except a spear or two left among the ruins, had no defence; they felt greatly relieved when they saw only two horses approaching. On the first, a beautiful white animal, was mounted a noble-looking Indian chief; the other animal was a small elegant bay horse, and as it drew near, they saw the rider was a female.

Jack recognized the strangers immediately, and springing forward, cried out, "Zara! Zara !"

But who can describe the feelings of the father when he saw, instead of the lovely innocent child he had lost, an Indian woman, the wife, as she believed, of a Cacique, with the dress, the habits, and he almost feared the creed of the Indian? He leaned against a tree in painful silence; but the quick eye of his daughter soon recognized him among the stringers. She sprung from her horse, flew to his feet, and the lapse of time was forgotten. She was again the Guacho girl; and she murmured as she clung round his neck, "Mi padre! My padre!" And to the agitated father she was again the sweet child he had nursed in his mountain solitude; and he hung over her, forgetting the sorrows that had darkened his intervening life crying, "Nina de mi alma! Estrella mia!"

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In the mean time Paul had advanced to the Cacique; they were known to each other; their tribes were friendly, and their language the same. They spoke much, with the emphatic gestures end emotion peculiar to the Indians, except when they assume a cold and formal manner to confer with their enemies. The family stood aloof, looking at the affecting meeting of the father and daughter; Lewis, with all his coolness, feeling a little embarrassed with this adventure, for though it was very desirable to be on friendly terms with Cangapol, he could not see exactly how they ought to arrange for the reception of their visitors. Already the secret of their retreat was known to one who had been their enemy; but of the fidelity of Paul there could be no doubt. But, he considered, could they so surely depend on a Cacique, whose tribe had evinced themselves on several occasions inimical to the Christians, whom they had personally injured, and probably offended deeply by releasing his captive? Yet it was a duty to show hospitality to their visitors, and they had no other home than their retreat in the rock.

Almagro was at length conducted to the Cacique by Zara, and while he was conversing with him, and caressing the child, whom the haughty chief had condescended to hold while Zara greeted her father, Lewis approached Paul, and consulted him on the prudence of admitting Cangapol to a knowledge of their retreat.

"Demand from him," said Paul, "a pledge of secrecy; a Cacique, though he be not a Christian, never violates his word."

Almagro was employed to negotiate the treaty, and Cangapol readily promised that no consideration should induce him to reveal the secret abode of Zara's father, even to his own tribe; and that he would never use his own knowledge of it, except for friendly communication.

Satisfied with this arrangement, they set out to return; the gentlemen walking, the ladies and Indians mounted. From the constant use of horses by the tribes, they are unable to walk far without great fatigue; and though tall and muscular, with great strength of arm, their legs are slender and weak. Even Zara had lost her old habits, and could not possibly have walked three miles.

Cangapol regarded the apparently inaccessible mountain | | 311 side with astonishment, which increased, when after winding through the labyrinthine path, he reached the ridge, and looked down upon the green vale below, with the cows and llamas quietly grazing.

But Zara's wonder broke forth when they entered the cave, and she looked on the neat and comfortable arrangement of the place; a fire was alighted immediately, and the bright glow gave an air of cheerfulness to the strange dwelling unknown in the dark and comfortless toldos of the Indians. A neatly arranged dinner of cold roast beef and wheaten cakes were set out; and though the Europeans did not expect to see their visitors use their knives and forks like the inhabitants of cities, they were surprised to find how soon, and how successfully, they imitated the habits of their hosts.

The countenance of Cangapol was usually stern and haughty; but when he looked on Zara and his child, his features were softened, and displayed a noble expression. Though still retaining the habits of the wild savage life, the Cacique had seen cities, and trafficked with civilized men. These visits had opened his understanding but it remained for the gentle influence of Zara to soften the savage manners, and develop the hidden affections of the untaught Indian. He still led out his people, at their desire, to slay and plunder; but he regarded deeds of blood as a duty in which he had no pleasure. As Mr. Merton conversed with his new guest, he saw with pleasure that there was material for a noble character. The good man turned the conversation on the aim and end of this life, and the glorious futurity offered to the Christian; and spoke long, earnestly, and powerfully, to his attentive hearers, on the doctrines of Christianity.

Cangapol was silent, yet his countenance displayed thought and emotion; but Zara came forward, and kneeling at the feet of Mr. Merton, said, "Will God forgive me? I was in a strange land, and I forgot him; yet he has remembered me, and directed me to you, that I may become again a Christian."

Mr. Merton consoled the weeping woman,--promising her further instruction; and assured her that God would receive her, if she asked for pardon in his Son's name.

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The day seemed short, as the large party conversed or listened to Mr. Merton. The girls answered Zara's numerous inquiries and were amused with her astonishment, and the two children became great friends; though the rough caresses of the young Cacique, who was three years of age, somewhat alarmed the pretty Cecilia, now just beginning to walk and utter some words. Then the young Indian running round the cave, whirled a miniature set of bolas skilfully round a pigeon, and brought it to the ground, to the great wrath of Nanny, who extricated the victim, somewhat the worse for the rude pressure of the balls; and then bestowed little gentle correction on the royal infant, whose cries declared he felt and resented the indignity.

"A young rascal!" said Nanny; "he's just like the rest of them dark villains. To think of his coming here to knock down our bonny tame birds, that live here like ourselves, and that not a body here would eat, if they had them set before them in a pie."

It was quite true that their fellow-lodgers, the pigeons, were regarded as part of the family; they gathered round the table to collect the fallen crumbs, and would eat from the hands of their friends; and the girls declared they would rather live on maize and water, than devour these trusting creatures.

Though the strangers could not comprehend this delicacy of feeling, they respected it: the boy was deprived of his mischievous toy, and amused himself with Cecilia and her doll. As the cavern had recesses that would have accommodated a whole tribe of Indians, and no couch but a skin and a blanket was needed, the arrangements for the night were soon made. The Indians listened with reverence to the prayers, and they parted to sleep in peace.

Next morning, Mr. Merton was to set out with Paul on his first missionary attempt, and it was agreed that the Cacique Cangapol should accompany them, Paul answering for the safety of his two companions among the wild horde; while Zara was to remain at the rock, to recover the habits of civilized life. Mrs. Merton insisted that Wallace should also go with her husband, as the dog was greatly attached to him; and at length mounted on the steady old mule, and clothed | | 313 in his sacerdotal vestments, the good man left his anxious family.

To Zara the economy of the little household was a wonderful spectacle the order and neatness of the arrangements, the happy distribution of labor, by which every one was busily and suitably occupied, but never fatigued, seemed, in comparison with the alternate drudgery and sloth of the toldos, a marvellous triumph of civilization. "Teach me," she said, "fair girls from a far land, to fill my life with useful employment, as you do, that it may be pleasing to God and man."

The sisters persuaded Zara, in the first place, to resign her flowing poncho, and adopt the European dress in the house. She felt the constraint irksome for a day or two, but was soon reconciled to it, and looked very graceful in some of the best dresses of her friends. She followed the sisters round to their daily labors, she watched them milk the cows, feed the poultry, make the thin cakes of bread, and cook the meat and potatoes. Then they arranged their sleeping apartments, and afterwards sat down to spin, knit, weave, to sew, read, or draw. In the sunny part of the day, which was but short in the deep vale at this late season, they played with the children on the grass, and collected pinones for fuel. Then the hunters returned with their spoil, and the evening was spent cheerfully; Jack sometimes played on his fortunately preserved violin, while the rest danced, with light hearts, in that strange ball-room. When tired with this amusement, they sat down to talk, often on serious subjects, but always with happy feelings. Jack inquired one evening of Zara, if old Sausimian still lived.

"Alas! no, my good friend!" answered she. "The angel of death claimed his spirit. He suffered long but was resigned and patient; only entreating me frequently to read to him of the sufferings and death of Him who died for us, that he might not repine at his own pains. He enjoined me to continue ever in the beautiful faith of Christ, and wished to sec Cangapol. I induced him to visit his uncle, and he beheld with wonder the peaceful and even happy death of a man who had a Christian heart. Cangapol does not speak many words, he has more years and thought than the young and ardent Paul; but after much reflection he inquired of me, 'Shall none live | | 314 after death but the Christians?' I could not answer him, but it was then I besought him to take me to my father, that the good and holy father of our young Christian captive might satisfy all his doubts. And I feel now, dear friends, that Mr. Merton will teach Cangapol to be a Christian."

Mr. Merton was not expected to return for a week; and before three days were past, Zara had acquired the habits of the sisters. She refused to leave Cangapol, but hoped to induce him to adopt the customs, as well as the creed, of the Christians. Mrs. Merton pointed out to Zara the necessity of her marriage being solemnized by the sacred rites of the church, and proposed that, if Cangapol would consent, the baptism of himself and his child, and his marriage with Zara, should be solemnized before they returned to the tribe.

As Zara was sanguine that Cangapol would consent, the young party amused themselves with the consideration of name for the new Christians. Matilda and Mary had some favorite, grand, euphonious names, for which they warmly petitioned; but Zara, for her husband, decided on the name of Pedro. The little chief she allowed to be named by his sponsors, and they agreed that his name should be Albert. And as there must be a festival on this great occasion, the hunters were ordered to provide hares and partridges; honey and wheat, flour were brought from the rock at Esperanza, and Zara had the advantage of a new lesson, by seeing Nanny churn a quantity of butter for the grand festival.

A heavy fall of rain had kept them within the rock for a whole day, but the girls were busied in making pastry, and other unusual employments engaged the rest, so that their confinement was not irksome. Lewis looked out when night came on and observing the dark and threatening state of the sky, they hastened to roll the heavy rock before the entrance, rather to exclude the wind, than from dread of any intruders.

An hour passed pleasantly; Zara was trying to learn English, and teaching her friends some words in the Indian language, when, in the midst of the laughter caused by their mutual blunders, a rustling was beard among the bushes, succeeded by the well-known bark of Wallace. "Papa! papa!" | | 315 was the joyful cry, and Tom and Jack sprung forward to remove the stone.

"But why return so soon, and at this late hour?" said Lewis, with anxiety. "Wait one moment, boys, till I look out."

A ladder, made for the purpose, was placed to reach an opening in the face of the rock, about nine feet from the ground. Lewis ascended the ladder, and through the leafy covering of the aperture, he saw standing below six Indians, with flaming torches, armed with long spears. They appeared to have no leader whom they chose to obey; but one man, taller and mote muscular than the rest, of a peculiarly ferocious as was haranguing the party and pointing out to them the spot where the dog had entered, and where he still continued whining for admittance, His hearers appeared rebellious, and he struck one man violently with the butt end of the spear; then crouching down himself, he followed the dog, and reaching the rocky barrier, he placed his shoulder against it, and attempted, with loud cries, to force an entrance.

The dog seemed now sensible that the man was an enemy; he growled, and then the party within were assured that he had seized the intruder, who uttered a frightful howl; but in his recumbent position, wedged in the narrow passage, and entangled among the hushes, it was difficult for his friends to assist him. At length the Indians seized his legs, and dragged him out, the dog still following, and holding him by the throat; and it was only by violent blows that the faithful creature was forced to relinquish his hold. The Indians then attempted to pierce the dog with their spears, but, darting from them, he bounded through an opening near the entrance, which was not less than eight feet from the ground, a feat Jack had taught him to perform a few days before; and his friends were rejoiced to welcome their brave defender in safety.

Two long spears were flung after the dog, fortunately without injury to any one; but the besieged party took warning and retired beyond the reach of danger, except Lewis, who kept his station at the opening, and reported his observations to his anxious friends. He saw that the poor wretch who had been attacked by the dog still lay on the ground, apparently | | 314 desperately wounded, but able to speak, for he pointed to the rock, and uttered some words to the men around They immediately threw their torches among the bushes that grew over the rock, following their usual destructive custom; but if the plan had even been successful, it could not have endangered the inhabitants of that impregnable fort. The bushes, however, moist with the heavy rain of the day, would not ignite, and every effort to cause a conflagration was vain. The wounded warrior now seemed to urge on his companions the necessity of forcing the door; and three of the men, one following another, crept along the narrow passage to make the attempt, while one was left in charge of the horses, and the fifth bent over the leader, appearing to be stanching the blood that flowed from his wounds.

"We must now prepare in earnest for action," said Lewis. "If the stone gives way, Almagro, do you immediately fire through the crevice; and if those outside attempt to enter, I will fire from above; but let us not shed blood unless it be necessary."

The force of the three men, confined in the narrow passage, was wholly ineffectual in moving the rock; and Almagro called out that he believed all was safe; but Lewis did not attend, for at that moment his attention was excited by the horrible sight which the flaming torches revealed to him of an immense puma, which suddenly sprung from the dark wood upon the back of the Indian who was bending over his friend. The monster in a moment seized the head of the man, and swung him over its head with a violence that assured Lewis his neck must be broken, and was making off with his prey, when Lewis, involuntarily uttering a cry of horror, fired his rifle with such good aim that the beast fell.

Almagro, conceiving the cry of Lewis was intended for a signal, fired at the same moment, and a loud cry and groan proclaimed that his shot had been effectual. Two of the savages then withdrew from the entrance, dragging with them the dead body of their companion. They rose and gazed on it for a moment, then, turning, they beheld the puma, still struggling with its victim. They seemed appalled and distracted, and, rushing to the horses they leaped upon them, | | 317 end, followed by the man who had been left to hold the animals, the mounted men fled wildly up the hilly slope to the ridge.

"They are mad!" said Lewis; "they can never descend the mountain in the darkness of the night; and ignorant of the road, they will be lost!" But the wind roared, and the rain fell, and they saw no more of the Indians.

"Something must be done for these wretches, who may still be living," said Charles, when Lewis had narrated the combination of fearful accidents which had preserved the innocent. "I, for one, will go out and look after these unfortunate creatures."

"We will all go!" was the cry of the young men; and, notwithstanding the terrors of the females, they took lighted candles, and all proceeded to the field of blood.

Wallace rushed after them, and would again have fallen on his old enemy; but Charles and Jack peremptorily called him off, while Lewis approached to examine the state of the wounded savage. He was lying with his eyes glaring round with a vengeful look, and as he saw them, he muttered some wards in his own language in a tone of defiance. Lewis, addressing him in Spanish, told him he came to bind up his wounds, and to save his life if possible. As he bent over to examine him, Almagro saw the savage stealthily draw a knife train his belt; and be just succeeded in seizing his arm, and wresting the weapon from him, as he was making a lunge at the benevolent doctor.

"It is vain to use humanity here; leave him to his fate--the death of a dog, which he deserves," said Almagro. But Lewis could not be dissuaded from doing his duty. He made Charles and Almagro hold the arms of the wretch, whose violence had caused a greater flow of blood, which rendered him weaker. Lewis examined the throat, and found it dreadfully lacerated; but as the artery did not seem injured, though the loss of blood was great, he thought, by proper care, a cure might be effected. It certainly was a fearful risk to introduce such a savage under their roof; but to leave him exposed to the tempest in this condition would be certain death to him. He began therefore to bind up the wounds, in order to render his removal less hazardous; but the struggles and resistance of the man were so great, that he succeeded | | 318 with much difficulty; and, as he finished, the ungrateful wretch endeavored to seize in his teeth the hand that had saved him from immediate death. Fortunately he did not succeed; but, the moment his hands were released, he tore off the bandages with fury, and, raising himself by a violent effort to his feet, he sprung forward and snatched up his spear, that was leaning against a tree. But this exertion hastened his doom--the blood gushed from his throat and mouth, and he fell down in the agonies of death.

In the mean time Jack's first care had been to go up to the puma, which he found now, as well as its victim, quite dead. Tom and he removed the body of the man from the grasp of the ferocious beast, and laid it by the side of the Indian shot by Almagro, who was also dead. It was a fearful spectacle to see death around them; and the strong men could not forbear shedding tears over the disfigured corpses of their violent and unprovoked enemies.

When the last breath of the ferocious leader had passed, they looked upon the faces of these dark ruffians, and trembled to consider what would have been the fate of their happy circle, if the bolt of heaven had not fallen on the heads of the savage assailants. Still they could not abandon the bodies of these men, their brothers by creation, and the image of God, to be the prey of the unclean condor and they were at a loss where to bestow these sad memorials of their victory till morning. At length they brought from the cave the sail-cloth which had formed their tent in their early wanderings, and had been brought from Esperanza to use as a screen against the wind from the inner eaves. They spread this covering over the bodies and placed heavy stones upon it, to keep it down; then Tom stripped the puma of its handsome skin, and hung it up to be dried, before they finally entered and closed their retreat.

It was some time before the agitated community could be sufficiently composed to perform their evening devotions, which concluded with a special thanksgiving for their preservation from the savage beast, and still more savage man.