CHAPTER XXXII.CONCLUSION.
Three weeks had passed away since the events related in the last chapter, a three weeks full of fun and adventure for our young friends.
Faithful to his promise, Sir Francis had acted the true part of mediator between the Indians and the Argentines, and in company of Lady Vane and a mixed escort of Cristianos and Araucanians, had visited the Argentine Republic, and there concluded a most satisfactory peace for both sides, the Government agreeing—on condition the prisoners were released—to grant an annual subsidy to both the Tehuelches and Araucanians, of horses, blankets, guns, and ammunition, and these latter undertook, in consideration of such subsidy, to desist from raiding the frontier of the white men, and to live at peace with them, and punish all depredators thereon. While these satisfactory and happy terms were being discussed and arranged, our five young friends, with Aniwee and Piñone, were enjoying many a wild horse hunt and prairie gallop after ostriches and guanacos, varied now and again by a jaguar or puma encounter,which afforded plenty of excitement. And a strange thing had happened during one of their forest expeditions, for the sound of a bell had struck upon their ears, and proceeding in the direction whence it came, they had fallen across the old bell mare and troupiglia which they had turned loose by the banks of the Trauco river, during their expedition in search of the baby Cacique. With true sagacity, the madrina had worked her way homewards, and would doubtless have eventually made her way back to the pastures amidst the araucaria groves, where she had been bred and raised.
Several of the troupiglia were missing, and had doubtless fallen victims to jaguars during their wanderings. They greeted the hunters with neighs of recognition, and seemed truly glad to come across them again.
And now the great day had arrived for the signing of the peace and the restoration of the Cristianos’ prisoners to liberty. Sir Francis and Lady Vane and their escort were momentarily expected, and a gallant array of over two thousand Araucanian and Tehuelchan warriors followed in the wake of Cuastral, Gilwinikush, Piñone, Aniwee, and our five young friends, as they rode forward to meet and welcome them. It was a glorious day, the sun was shining on the sparkling mica rocks which bound the rocky gorges through which they rode, turning them into a living mass of silver light, and glorifying all around. In the distance stretched the rugged plains of Patagonia, presenting a strange contrast to the mountain and valley-bedecked country through which this great array was riding.
“Mark forward yonder!” shouted Freddy suddenly, as a column of dust rose up upon the horizon.
“There they are; I see them!” echoed his brother with a triumphant cheer, and the next moment our five young friends, regardless of rough ground and rocky descents, were galloping as hard as they could to meet the approaching party.
As may be imagined, the meeting was a glad and happy one; for much as they had enjoyed themselves, our young friends had missed Sir Francis and Lady Vane sadly. As for Harry, his mirth was quite boisterous, and he never seemed to cease talking. But his voice quickly became drowned in the rattle of musketry with which Cuastral’s and Gilwinikush’s two thousand warriors greeted the approach of their peace-bringing envoys. Far and wide this salute of a half-tamed people re-echoed, giving to the meeting a most imposing aspect; and hardly had these echoes died away, when the thunder of thousands of horses’ hoofs resounded, as in splendid array the two thousand red men came charging forward with Cuastral, Piñone, Aniwee, and Gilwinikush at their head. A monster ceremony of welcome was then gone through, and when the shouting, firing, and galloping had come to an end, every one was very hot, and Harry declared that he was utterly exhausted.
Having formed again into order, the big cavalcade, swollen by the arrival of the new-comers, faced round and retraced its steps towards Las Manzanas, where, when reached, a monster Parliament was held, when the articles, and stipulations, and conditions of peace wereread over, and made clear to both sides, and assented to amidst loud acclamation by the Indians. Then Sir Francis and Lady Vane wrote out the signatures of Cuastral and Gilwinikush, to which these Caciques appended their marks, and the happy peace was concluded amidst general rejoicing. Finally the white prisoners filed, to the number of five hundred, before the chiefs, who shook hands with each, pledging a mutual friendship with the friendly grasp; and as each Cristiano received back in this manner his freedom, his horse, fully saddled, was led forward and restored to him.
When all had mounted, they turned and faced Cuastral and Gilwinikush, who addressed a few friendly words to them. As soon as he had ceased speaking the Cristianos’ leader replied, and then, amidst a fusilade of rifle salutes, the liberated whites rode away from Las Manzanas, where they had been prisoners for more than a month.
“So begins the great peace,” exclaimed Sir Francis, as he turned from watching the last man disappear. “Thank God! everything has terminated so fortunately. I know you and I, Ruby, have spared no pains to make it a success.”
“As it will be, dear, assuredly,” answered his wife, linking her arm in his. “It would seem as if Providence had brought us here to help in its establishment. Well, young people, we have had a very pleasant expedition, have we not?”
“Rather,” answered all the children eagerly; and then Topsie added gravely, “We shall never forget it. It will be a very bright spot through life.”