"But it is especially the passage of the river that it is important to defend." "This opinion is also that of Tarou Niom." "Epoï, my warriors, aided by those of my brother, Tarou Niom, will keep the ford of Camato, whilst the great war canoes will intercept the communications, and harass the Pai along the river." "My brother has perfectly understood his wishes." "What may be the number of the Pai who come from Bella Villa?" "Tarou Niom has been assured that they were at least two thousand." "Ai; that is extraordinary; I have been told that their number is not more than five hundred." Diogo bit his lips, but immediately collecting himself-- "They are more numerous than the leaves strewed by the hurricane," said he, "only they are divided into little war detachments." "Ha!" cried the chief, with alarm, "That is terrible." "Moreover," added Diogo, who knew the terror Indians have for Negroes, "each war detachment is followed by a considerable number of coatas (Negroes), who have taken the terrible oath to massacre all the Payagoas wanderers, and to carry away their wives and daughters." "Oh!" said the chief, with a feeling of ill-concealed fright; "The coatas are not men, they resemble evil genii. The warning of my brother shall not be lost. This very evening the women and children shall leave the village to withdraw into the Llano de Manso, and the warriors shall proceed to march to the ford of Camato, followed by all the war canoes." Diogo rose-- "Does the Grand Sarigue leave, then, already?" asked the chief, rising also. "It is necessary, chief; Tarou Niom has charged me with making the greatest haste." "Epoï, my brother will thank the great captain of the Guaycurus." The two men went out. On the order of Emavidi Chaime a slave brought out Diogo's horse; the latter leaped into the saddle, exchanged a few more words with the chief, and then they separated. The captain was delighted. Up to the present time all had succeeded beyond his hope; not only did he know the plans of the enemy, but also he had learned that the Paulistas, who had suddenly appeared on the battlefield, could, at any moment, come to aid them. Moreover, he had hindered the junction of the two Indian nations, which, by preserving a free passage of the rivers, offered a chance of safety to the caravan. Diogo left the village at a gentle trot, plunged in these sanguine reflections, and only wishing one thing--to rejoin his companions as soon as possible. When he saw the desert plain spread out before him, he leant over the neck of his horse, refreshed and invigorated by two hours of repose, touched it with the spur, and began to dart along with the rapidity of the wind. On a sudden, at the turn of a path, he came across a horseman who was coming towards him with a rapidity equal to his own. Diogo could not repress an exclamation of surprise, and almost of fear. In this horseman he recognised Malco Diaz.