Several hours had passed away thus; the morning was advanced, and Don Tadeo had despatched all his couriers. At this moment Don Ramón Sandias appeared.
"Well, Don Ramón," Don Tadeo said in a friendly accent, "you are still among us."
"Have you cause to complain, Don Ramón?" asked Don Tadeo.
"Oh, no!" said the senator, "quite the contrary."
"I am ready to weep tears of blood when I reflect that I have allowed myself to be seduced by a silly ambition, which--"
"Well, what you have lost, if you like, I will restore to you," said Don Tadeo.
"Oh! speak! speak! what would I not do for that?"
"Even return among the Aucas?" said Don Tadeo.
"Stop a moment!" Don Tadeo interrupted; "this is what I expect of you: listen attentively."
"I listen, your Excellency," the senator replied, bowing humbly.
"The Indian named Joan, who once served you as a guide, has just arrived."
"Let him come in! let him come in!" cried Don Tadeo, rising.
"What brings you here?" asked Don Tadeo. "Speak! my friend!"
"The white chiefs are preparing to set out upon the track of Antinahuel."
"God bless them! they are noble hearts!" Don Tadeo exclaimed.
"My father was sad last night when he parted from us."
"Before taking the track, Don Valentine felt his heart softened at the thoughts of the uneasiness you would doubtless experience; he therefore made his brother with the dove's eyes trace this necklace."
Saying these words, he drew out the letter which was carefully concealed under the ribbon that confined his hair, and presented it to Don Tadeo.
"Thanks!" cried the father as he placed the letter in his bosom and held out his hand graciously to the warrior; "thanks to those who sent you, and thanks to you, my brother: you shall remain with me, and when the moment arrives you shall conduct me to my daughter."
"I will do so; my father may depend upon me."
"I am at the service of my father, as is the horse which the warrior mounts," Joan replied, respectfully.
"One instant," said Don Tadeo, clapping his hands, to which a servant responded.
"I desire," he said, in an emphatic manner, "that every respect he paid to this warrior: he is my friend, and is at liberty to do just as he likes; let everything be given to him that he asks for."