Aniwee

“ Ah! why did I not listen to Graviel, who never loved him?”
“Come, Aniwee, be brave; remember you are a Warrior Queen. Inacayal will not dare to harm the child amidst so many warriors,” said Topsie encouragingly, for the young Queen was visibly overcome.
“And we must give all our energies now to the assistance of Cuastral and Piñone, Aniwee,” put in Sir Francis Vane. “What the white Cacique has related is truly wonderful, and sounds like a dream.” ”

“ To the rescue of the child Cacique; to the rescue of Guardia!”
An icy chill ran through Aniwee’s heart. Then the baby Queen for whom she was risking her life, the beloved child of her lost Piñone, was a prisoner after all? The thought was maddening; it thrilled her to the quick; it almost unnerved her; it certainly made her lose her presence of mind; it was the means of saving many a white man’s life.
“Hark!” she cried, reining up her horse. “Warriors, the Cacique is in danger. Forward to the rescue!” ”

“ But I noticed that in all things the men and women shared alike, fought side by side, enjoyed their simple pleasures in each other’s company, as well as their daily toil. Then I thought of thee, Aniwee, and all that thou hadst striven to teach thy Piñone, as to the rights of the Indian women to share alike in all things with the men, and I saw how wisely thou hadst spoken; for the Traucos are a happy people, and I rarely saw disagreement amongst them. ”

“ As they crowded round the great Cuastral and his son Graviel was led up, and then Piñone’s eye fell upon Aniwee, who was kneeling by Kai Chileno.
He at once hurried to her side. “Aniwee,” he cried, “why is Graviel here, and why does he look so wild? Where is La Guardia Chica?”
“Stolen!” she wailed forth, “and Kai Chileno knows where she is, as such Graviel affirms; but see, he will not speak or answer, as I entreat him.”
“Does a Queen entreat a common Indian?” inquired Piñone proudly. “The Warrior Queen in her grief forgets who she is. ”

“ A vicious, disappointed look came over the Cacique’s face, but he had no alternative than to obey. In quick, rapid tones Aniwee issued her orders, and then hurriedly explained the situation to Harry and Topsie, imploring them to remain where they were with their uncle, aunt, and cousins, “for,” she added significantly, 18“when the Indian’s blood is up, he might not distinguish you from the Cristianos, and then your fates would be death. Farewell for the moment. Aniwee goes to restore peace and defend her child.” ”

“ A long line of mounted horsemen were advancing at topmost speed, horsemen whose size looked gigantic against the sky line, but whose figures were small when compared with the tall and magnificent Indian that rode at their head. In a moment Aniwee had recognised him, and with a cry of joy had put her horse into full swing, and sent him galloping over the pampas to meet the stately giant. This was no other than the great Cacique, Gilwinikush, her father, and paramount head of the Tehuelche or Patagonian Indians. ”

“ These latter he had little doubt were Topsie mounted on her own horse, the wild horse, and Shag.
59Harry felt inclined to shout for joy, but checked himself on observing Aniwee’s grave face.
“It is the haunted forest,” he heard her exclaim, “the home of the Trauco people. Evil is the Gualichu which has lured her there.”
“But, Aniwee,” burst out the boy excitedly, “what do you mean? Surely there is nothing to be afraid of in a big wood?”
“The forest stretches beyond the ken of man,” answered the Queen. ”

“ When we last saw Aniwee she had just bidden Harry and Topsie Vane a tender and pathetic farewell. Those who have perused the pages of “The Young Castaways,” will remember that she was the only child and daughter of Gilwinikush, head Cacique of the Tehuelches or Patagonian Indians, and that at the age of fourteen and a half she had married Piñone, the only son of the great Cuastral, Lord of the Araucanian, Manzaneros, Chenna, or Warrior Indians. ”

“ We are all of a great age.” Harry possessed the knack of saying funny things with a face grave as an owl. His remark tickled Topsie immensely, but was received by Aniwee with dignified complaisance.
“How old are your cousins?” she inquired, looking at Freddy, Willie, and Mary Vane, who were riding close alongside them.
“Well, that one there is a man,” observed Harry, indicating Freddy with his finger. “He is sixteen, and a great warrior. The other two are children still. The boy is fourteen, the girl thirteen,—just about the age you were, Aniwee, when we first met you. ”

“ If the other Traucos surround us, we shall fare badly. Aniwee, I 111have strange news for you. I will tell you when we reach the valley; but if you will all take my advice, let us keep silence till then.”
They made their way down the steep hillside, Topsie leading. She was wondering whether Cuastral and Piñone had escaped, and was revolving in her mind how she should break to Aniwee the startling tidings that they lived. An unforeseen incident assisted her. ”

“ Our friends may be excused for feeling a little uncomfortable. These strange sounds, and above all, the melancholy notes of the distant bell, [2] had decidedly impressed them. Aniwee’s superstitious explanations 75did not tend to make matters any better; and then the vague, uncertain feeling pervading every one as to Topsie’s fate, accentuated the uncomfortable experiences of this handful of white beings, struggling through a densely wooded, unexplored region. ”

“ But Graviel held on. He knew that Kai Chileno was a big and heavy man, and that a horse could not hope with such a weight to keep up the same pace long. He knew that he himself, Mary, and Willie were light weights, and, moreover, being mounted on three of Aniwee’s picked hunters, could gain ground on the flying Araucanian. He had put two and two together in the twinkling of an eye the moment that he had recognised this Indian, and saw him fly. He felt sure that a diabolical plot had been hatched, in which Inacayal, Guaitu, and the villainous Kai Chileno had each a part ”

“ Treachery sought to steal from you all the little Cacique, the child of Piñone, to carry her away as the puma does its prey. But she was saved—saved by the devotion of the youthful warrior Graviel, and protected by the few brave women and men of the Warrior tribe left within the camp. From her heart, Aniwee your Queen thanks them. Their deeds will be sung by the great tribe, and their children will tell their children, how a youth and a few brave women and men saved the baby Cacique, the child of Piñone. ”

“ Undisturbed, the travellers had made their way through the primeval forests which girt the Andes, and guided by Harry and Topsie, had at length reached the lonely hut, far up the mountain side, in which for so many years Sir Harry Vane had dwelt, and where Topsie, and Harry, and Aniwee in former wanderings had come upon him, living the life of a hermit, dead to that world to which he had died more than half a century before his young relatives had found him. ”

“ Oh no!” she answered quickly; “but they live in the traditions of 64both the Patagonians and Araucanians. A Trauco is a man covered all over with hair, a man of giant strength, and haunted with the medicine which makes him invisible.”
“Well, Aniwee, Trauco or no Trauco, I am determined to try and track the white Cacique now that her dog has returned. Will you help me?”
The young Queen regarded him sadly.
“What can I do?” she asked, somewhat bitterly. “Absolute as my power is, not an Araucanian would obey me if I ordered one or any of them to enter yon forest, but Aniwee is not afraid. ”

“ Already Chorlo and El Toro had forsaken the half-skinned bull, and had followed the young Queen.
“Let us haste to the rescue,” exclaimed Aniwee excitedly. “I know what those yells mean. It is the Araucanians’ signal of danger, and would never be uttered unless peril threatened some of the other parties. Haste, Señors, haste.”
She had grasped her rifle, which after the death of the bull she had stood against a tree, and only awaited her white friends’ companionship before setting off to the assistance of her other friends. ”

“ If she be not recovered, you die. Guards, remove the prisoners, and see well they do not escape.”
Loud shouts of approval greeted the great Cacique’s decision, which was regarded by the assembled Warriors as both wise and just. Then Aniwee stepped forward and raised her hand to command attention, silence being at once restored.
“Warriors,” she exclaimed, “though I am no longer your Queen, am I not the wife of Piñone, and therefore the daughter of Cuastral? The child of our heart has been taken from us, and we fly to its search and rescue. ”

“ Searching about the outskirts of the forest, a little stream was found, which proved a great boon to all three, thirst having attacked them in a most acute form.
Time passed on slowly. It seemed as though the others would never arrive; but all things come at last if we only wait for them. It was well on in the afternoon, when a cavalcade of horses could be seen threading the distant gorge, which gave outlet from one plain into the other. About an hour later Freddy, Lady Vane, and Aniwee came galloping up.
“Oh, Francis!” was Lady Vane’s first words, “this is terrible. Poor, poor Topsie!” ”

“ However, as Lady Vane pointed out to them, some one must remain in camp to look after the things; and this giving our young friends somewhat of an air of importance, they resigned themselves to the position, wisely resolving to make the best of it, and do their duty under the circumstances. They had made friends with Blancha and Graviel, both of whom could speak Spanish, and this latter had returned to the head toldo on receiving from Aniwee the guardianship of the baby Cacique, Inacayal, as we have already seen, being placed in command during the Queen-Regent’s absence. ”

“ If Aniwee the Queen, the Caciques Cuastral and Piñone will believe me, I tell them that we are the true friends of the Araucanians, and wish them well. We have heard with deep concern of the wicked plot whereby the young Cacique has been stolen, and made over to the hairy tribe, and we unhesitatingly declare that every effort must be made to trace and release her. But it would be rash to embark on such an expedition unprepared, and my counsel is, that we return to the camp, lay in a stock of ammunition, and secure volunteers to take part in the search which must be instituted. ”

“ As he spoke, he made for the passage leading from the cave, and Aniwee, possessing herself of the little Guardia, who was crying piteously, followed close behind him. But Lady Vane and the children, as they 234brought up the rear, heard a deep groan escape Sir Francis as he came suddenly to a full stop before a huge jagged rock, which barred all forward progress, and prevented any exit that way.
“Good God!” burst from the baronet’s lips as he stared helplessly before him, “the worst has happened. We are buried alive!” ”

“ If abundance of fine clothes, gleaming ornaments, and jingling spurs can make a man handsome in a woman’s eyes, then Inacayal might be styled good-looking. Now Inacayal was a Cacique of high degree, being none other than the son of Quintuhual, brother of the great Cuastral, and therefore first cousin to Piñone, Aniwee’s dead husband. ”

“ When the head works, the body acts quicker.”
With these words Aniwee put spurs to her horse, and followed by her Indians, set forward across the plain on her return journey.
“Freddy, my lad,” said Sir Francis, laying his hand upon his son’s shoulder, “do you return with the Queen, and ask the mother to mount and join me, but tell her to strictly enjoin on Willie and Mary to remain where they are. Tell the two youngsters that I trust to them to superintend everything in our absence, and that I shall move heaven and earth to bring back their 65cousin to them. ”

“ The Indian girl nodded, and a look of relief overspread her hitherto anxious, eager face, as she inquired, “But cannot we rescue her now, Piñone?”
“And lose her perchance for ever,” answered the young chief quickly. “No, no, Aniwee; the child can only be safely secured by cunning and ruse. The Traucos are merely resting ere proceeding up the river, and in a short space they will embark on their journey up country. We must watch for their departure, and make no attempt to pass this spot on our raft until the white Traucos are asleep. ”

“ This having been continued for several minutes, ranks were suddenly opened, and each man charged forward shouting, “Koue,” and thrusting at an imaginary foe. The supposed enemy having been dislodged, a halt was sounded, the Indians formed quickly into several long lines, and remained motionless as statues, conspicuous at their head being Aniwee, Inacayal, and other Caciques and Caciquillos.
“Now, aunt, now, uncle, come on, Freddy, Willie, and Mary, it’s our turn,” cried Topsie, as she brought her horse alongside her brother’s, and beckoned to Willie to fall in on the other side of her. ”

“ They clustered round the dead animal, and examined him curiously. Topsie’s bullet had gone right to his heart, causing instantaneous death, and thus he had fallen on the top of Shag with some violence. Chorlo, Aniwee, and El Toro had, however, at once rushed to the dog’s assistance directly they saw his perilous position, and had extracted him therefrom before Topsie and Harry came up.
“Good Shag, brave, dear, good Shag!” exclaimed the former, as she threw her arms round the splendid Labrador’s coal-black neck. “Ah, Shag! you are a hero; you have saved our dear old Harry’s life.” ”