CHAPTER VIII.
EL CANYON DEL RIO SECO.
At about ten leagues from San Miguel de la Frontera, a miserable townpeopled by some twenty or thirty Huiliche shepherds, on the road toArauca, the land rises rapidly, and suddenly forms an imposing wallof granite, the summit of which is covered with virgin forests offirs and oaks, impenetrable to the sun. A passage of twenty yards atmost, is opened by nature through this wall. Its length is more thana mile, forming a crowd of capricious, inextricable windings, whichappear constantly to turn back upon themselves. On each side of thisformidable defile, the ground, covered with trees and underwood, stageabove stage, is capable, in case of need, of offering impregnableintrenchments to those who defend the passage.
This place is named El Canyon del Rio Seco, a name common in America,because not only has vegetation long since covered the face of thiswall with an emerald carpet, but it is evident that in remote periodsa channel by which the waters of the upper plateaus of the Andes,overflowing, either in consequence of an earthquake or some naturalinundation, pour down to the plain--had violently and naturally cutitself a passage to the sea.
Antinahuel, followed closely by the Linda, who wished to see everythingfor herself, visited the posts, gave short and precise instructionsto the Ulmens, and then regained the bivouac he had chosen, and whichformed the advanced guard of the ambuscade.
"Now, what are we going to do?" Dona Maria asked.
"Wait," he replied.
And folding himself in his poncho, he laid down on the ground andclosed his eyes.
On their side, the Spaniards had set out a little before daybreak. Theyformed a compact troop of five hundred horsemen, in the centre of whomrode without arms, and between two lancers, charged to blow out hisbrains at the least suspicious action, General Bustamente.
In advance of this troop, there was another of an almost equal force;this was, in appearance, composed of Indians. We say in appearance,because the men were in reality Chilians, but their Araucano costume,their arms, even to the caparison of their horses, in short, everythingin their disguise, was so exact, that at a short distance it wasimpossible for even the experienced eyes of the Indians themselves todetect them. These apparent Indians were commanded by Joan.
When arrived at mid-distance between Valdivia and the Canyon, thehindermost troop halted, whilst that commanded by Joan continued itsmarch, but slowly, and with increased precaution. Four horsemen closedthe rear; Don Tadeo, Don Gregorio, the count, and Curumilla, who wereengaged in earnest conversation.
"Then you persist in having nobody with you?" said Don Gregorio.
"Nobody; we two will be quite sufficient," Curumilla replied, pointingto the young Frenchman.
"Why will you not take me with you?" Don Tadeo asked.
"I thought you would prefer remaining with your soldiers."
"I am anxious to join my daughter as soon as possible."
"Come, then, by all means. You," turning to Don Gregorio, "willremember that nothing must induce you to enter the defile before yousee a fire blazing on the summit of the Corcovado."
"That is perfectly understood, so now farewell."
After exchanging hearty shakes of the hand, the four men separated. DonGregorio galloped after his troops, whilst Don Tadeo and the count,guided by Curumilla, began to climb the mountain. They continuedto ascend for more than an hour, and at last reached a platform ofconsiderable extent.
"Dismount," he said; Curumilla setting the example, which hiscompanions followed.
"Let us unsaddle our horses," the chief continued. "We shall not wantthe poor beasts for some time. I know a place, not far off, where theywill be comfortably sheltered, and where we can find them when we comeback--if we do come back," he added.
"Holloa, chief!" Louis exclaimed, "Are you beginning to beapprehensive?"
"Och!" the Ulmen replied, "my brother is young, his blood is very warm;Curumilla is older, he is wise."
"Thanks," the young man said, "it is impossible to tell a friend thathe is a fool more politely."
The three men continued to ascend, dragging their horses after themby their bridles, which was no easy matter in a narrow path wherethe animals stumbled at every step. At length, however, they gainedthe entrance of a natural grotto, into which they coaxed the noblecreatures. They supplied them with food, and then closed up theentrance of the grotto with large stones, leaving only a narrow passageof air.
"Now let us begone," said Curumilla.
They threw their guns upon their shoulders, and set forward with aresolute step. After three quarters of an hour of this painful ascentthe Ulmen stopped.
"This is the place," he said.
The three men had attained the summit of an elevated peak, from the topof which an immense and splendid panorama lay unrolled before theireyes.