"I am happy to see you, chief," said he, in a gentle voice. "Having set out several suns ago to meet you, I thank the Great Spirit, who has thus suddenly brought me to you."
Gueyma again bowed, affecting not to see Dove's Eye.
"I thank you, brother," answered he, addressing Arnal; "no camp could suit me better than yours."
"Will you take your place before this fire, brother?" resumed Arnal; "The air is cold in these mountains; warm yourself, while Dove's Eye prepares the repast."
Gueyma sat silently before the fire, without appearing to have noticed that the name of Dove's Eye had been mentioned.
These forms of politeness, strictly demanded by Indian etiquette, having been satisfied, the ice between the chiefs was broken, and the conversation became friendly and intimate.
Separated for a long time, as they had been, they had many things to say.
Meanwhile Dove's Eye had not lost time; the repast was soon ready to be served.
Among the Indians, the women are exclusively charged with all the cares of the household, and all the hard and often repugnant labour which in other countries fall to the lot of men. The warriors consider them rather as slaves, made to obey their least caprice, than as companions.
Dove's Eye, after having served the warriors with the dishes she had prepared, and having offered them a cimarron maté, seated herself discreetly, a little in arrear of the group, near Arnal.
It was then only that Gueyma appeared to observe her presence. He fixed his eagle eye on the young girl, and, holding out his hand in a friendly way:
"Eaah!" said he, with a smile, "Dove's Eye has consented to leave the valleys of her tribe to follow Arnal?"
At these kind words, the young girl became red as a cherry, and answered in a slightly trembling voice:
"Arnal is the brother of Dove's Eye; he has served her for father; wherever Arnal goes, Dove's Eye ought to follow him: it is her duty."
"Good, I thank Dove's Eye," said the chief.
"The place of a woman is where there are friends to love and serve."
"Dove's Eye remembers that she was, when an infant, received by the Guaycurus," said the Cougar.
"She remembers also," answered the young girl, with animation in her voice, "that she has been brought up by Arnal, the brother of Gueyma."