They were now within a few paces of the Indian _toldos_ (huts); the rash and hazardous nature of their undertaking presented itself in all its force, and the poor women felt their courage gradually oozing away, in spite of the resolution which had animated them. Their hearts turned to stone at the thought of the horrible drama in which they were going to act the principal characters.
Strange to say, it was Manuela who restored her companion to the firmness which was abandoning her.
"Señorita," she said to her, "it is now my turn to act as guide; if you will only consent to follow my council, I hope to be able to avoid all the danger with which we are threatened."
"Speak, nurse; let me hear what you propose."
"We must first drop these cloaks, which hide our dress, and betray that we are whites."
In saying this she threw off her mantle, and cast it away. Doña Hermosa followed her example.
"Now walk by my side; show no fear, whatever may happen; and, above all, do not utter a single word, unless we are hopelessly lost."
"We are to be two Indian women," continued Manuela, "who have made a vow to Wacondah for the recovery of their wounded father; and once again, no words from your mouth."
"Amen!" said Manuela, devoutly crossing herself.
They continued their journey, and, five minutes afterwards, entered the camp of the redskins.
The Indians, intoxicated with the easy triumph they had gained over the Mexicans, were giving vent to their joy. There were nothing but singing and dancing everywhere. Some casks of _aguardiente_, discovered in the old _presidio_ and in the pillaged _haciendas_, had been dragged into camp, and staved.
On this account, unexampled disorder and a nameless hubbub prevailed among the Indians, whom drunkenness makes raving mad, and excites to the most hideous excesses.
The power of the _sachems_ was disowned: moreover, the greater number of them were in the same state as the warriors; and there can be no doubt that, if the inhabitants of San Lucar had been in sufficient force to attempt a surprise, they might have made a frightful massacre of the savages, brutalised as they were by strong liquors, and incapable of defending themselves.
Profiting by the disorder, the two women climbed over the ramparts of the camp without being observed. Then, their hearts palpitating with terror, and with shivering limbs, they glided like serpents between the knots of Indians, passing unnoticed through the midst of the drinkers; seeking at haphazard, and trusting to Providence or their good angel to find among the scattered _toldos_ the hovel which served as a habitation to the great paleface.