64 The Ravine of the Unburied Dead. [July, 



know that Juan alone commands here. Know that I hold in my hand 

 thy life, and the life of thy western beauty, and the sinews and heart's 

 blood of that stubborn old man. Aye, look tenderly on your terrified 

 maiden. You hold her but at my pleasure, and I may, at a moment's 

 warning, interpose between you and the smiles you feed on." — " Have 

 a care, Juan," answered the noble Spaniard fearlessly ; " I know that 

 thy military followers twice out-number mine, but a loyal subject of 

 Spain, the scion of a powerful stock, and the beloved leader of a chosen 

 band, is not so lightly made the prey of vindictive cruelty. Remember 

 my voice is not without power in my native land. Nay, smile not 

 scornfully. I know I might in vain essay to make it heard athwart 

 this wide-stretched continent and yon wider ocean ; but there be 

 Spaniards, even in Peru, who would lift the voice, aye, the sword, for 

 Hernando, and carry the tale of his wrongs to the shores of his native 

 land. Nay, turn not away, Juan Di Alcantara; thou know'st that 

 thou and I had scarce kept doubtful peace so long, hadst thou not held 

 jirudent credence in what I now tell thee." 



The two chiefs had now cast off the outward semblance of an alliance, 

 ■which, from motives as widely different as their hearts and characters, 

 had, hitherto, subsisted between them. Juan, who had till now endea^ 

 voured to conceal his most atrocious acts from a colleague whose power 

 at his native court, and influence among his own soldiers, might enable 

 him to demand heavy retribution ; now, peremptorily, and in his very 

 teeth, demanded that instant torture should extract the secret of the 

 fallen cazique's treasures : while Hernando, who had, hitherto, avoided 

 any open rupture with his more powerful companion in arms, lest in 

 the mutual struggle for supremacy, he should lose the means of 

 protecting his young captive and her race ; now vehemently protested 

 that he would oppose by force, the cruel determination of his com- 

 patriot. To Ualla, who well understood the Spanish tongue, the fierce 

 conflict was agony. It seemed that her father's inflexibility would 

 prove the ruin, not only of himself, but of one, perhaps, still dearer to 

 the heart of Ualla. "The cazique, though only slenderly acquainted 

 with a few Spanish phrases, seemed, from the occasional mention of his 

 own name, and the frequent pointing of his foes towards the engine of 

 torture, partly to divine the subject of dispute. At the moment, how- 

 ever, when Ualla deemed all lost, the Indian chief suddenly smote his 

 dark brow, as if some thought had kindled there like a spark of fire : 

 then, notwithstanding the ponderous and degrading weight of his 

 irons, rising to his full height, he said, with a commanding air — " Chris- 

 tians, 7«y will is changed. lam ready to reveal to you the secret of my 

 hidden treasure." 



This sudden and un 3xpected concession, seemed to end the differences 

 between the two chiefs. Juan's selfish and rajiacious mind instantly 

 wandered from Hernando and his late dispute, to the glittering hordes 

 and golden treasures of his prostrate foe. Not, however, without 

 secret purposes of future vengeance at a safer opportunity, did he extend 

 his hand to the daring curtailer of his power. Perhaps, the gallant 

 young Spaniard, of taller stature than his compeer, stood in too erect 

 an attitude to mark the proffered hand : at any rate, he took it not, but 

 made such inclination of his person as might exhibit a remaining sense 

 of displeasure, without the intention of farther exhibiting it by ■ any 

 hostile act. 



