"It is the gallop of a horse," said Tarou Niom. "In a few minutes he will be here." The chiefs were not deceived--it was, in fact, the furious gallop of a horse. Soon the branches snapped, the shrubbery separated under the powerful effort the chest of a horse, galloping at full speed, and a horseman bounded into the glade. Arrived within a few paces of the warriors, he suddenly pulled up his horse, leaped to the ground, and gave the bridle to the slave, who took it and conducted the noble animal to the two others. The horseman, who was no other than the mameluco, saluted the Indians and seated himself in front of them. "My friend has tarried long," said the Payagoas. "It is true, Captain," answered Malco, wiping his forehead, which was covered with perspiration; "I ought to have been here long before, but that was impossible. My master camped in a place farther off than I reckoned on, and notwithstanding my wish to be exact, it was impossible for me to come sooner." "Good, that is nothing, since here is the sertanejo; some hours lost are nothing, if the affair you wish to propose to us is good." "Good I believe it to be; but are you still resolved to break the truce that seven moons ago you concluded with the whites?" "What is that to the sertanejo?" drily answered the Guaycurus. "I want to know before explaining to you what brings me here." "Let the warrior speak, and the captains will hear him; they will judge of the truth of his words." "Very well; this is why I wish to ask you the question. I know the honour that you carry into all your transactions--even with the whites. If you consent, as I know for some days they have begged you, to prolong the truce, I should have nothing to propose to you, for the simple reason that you would refuse to give me your assistance against the people with whom you would be at peace. You see I speak to you frankly." These words, which manifested the respect of the Indians for their pledged faith, and for the honesty which they import into their relations with their mortal enemies, were, notwithstanding the praise they implied, listened to coldly. "Two suns have already passed," proudly answered the Guaycurus, "since I notified to the Paulistas the rupture of the truce." Malco Diaz, master as he was of himself, could not suppress a gesture of satisfaction at this declaration. "So you have recommenced the war," said he. "Yes," briefly answered the Indian. "Then all is well," said the half-caste. "I am waiting," said the Guaycurus. "The night advances; the sertanejo has not come so quickly to the rendezvous that he himself made, that he may speak of futile things to the powerful captains," added the Payagoas. Malco Diaz appeared to be collecting his thoughts for some minutes; then he resumed: "Can I reckon on my brothers?" said he, casting at the Indians the look of a viper.