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She forgot that, though Kanimapo considered it tolerably secure, he had advised that the ladies, at all events, should limit their walks to the upper valley. "We will not go far," said Norah; "and we shall be sure to see Chumbo, should he by chance come with a warning that danger is at hand." The baby, I should say, had remained with our mother; Kathleen and Mary had come with Margarita.
As these were in some sense highways, and people might be traversing them perhaps enemies we passed by them as rapidly as possible, so that we might avoid the risk of encountering any one. As Kanimapo knew when we were approaching one of these paths, he went some way ahead and looked up and down, to ascertain whether any one was travelling along it.
As we approached the spot, Don Fernando and his immediate relatives dismounted and advanced on foot towards a circle formed by a number of arrows stuck in the ground, beyond which stood Kanimapo and his tribe. He approached, and putting out his hand, grasped that of Don Fernando.
"That one might happen, would be quite sufficient to make the passage disagreeable," observed the doctor; "so I heartily hope that we may not have to cross." Our friend Kanimapo was indefatigable; he was evidently very proud of the confidence placed in him, and he showed that he was fully equal to the responsibilities he had assumed.
As my father was anxious that we should lose no time, after taking a hurried breakfast he and Gerald and I set off, Kanimapo and Candela leading the way up the hill which overhung the valley. After proceeding for some distance we reached the summit of the hill, on which grew a tree of considerable size; while opposite to it rose a perpendicular cliff, surmounted by several pointed rocks.
Tim and Chumbo were required to lead the mules which carried the nurses and the children: Josefa sat on one with the baby in her arms; and Kathleen rode in a huge pannier, balancing the younger ones, who were placed in another. My father and I guarded them, one walking on either side. Gerald brought up the rear; and Kanimapo went ahead to lead the way.
And now, will you give me the promise we ask? It will be for your benefit; and you know how you would have been treated had you fallen into the hands of the Spaniards." "I promise to remain quiet as a child on its mother's breast," answered the Indian. "Kanimapo never breaks his word; and to you, who have treated him so mercifully, he will be faithful."
Had we possessed a larger supply of ammunition, I might have shot the duck for breakfast; but I was unwilling to expend a charge of powder and besides, I was not sorry to allow the beautiful creature to enjoy its existence. Kanimapo came up to us. "We will quickly have some of these birds," he observed. "Wait a few minutes, and you shall see how I will catch them."
I instantly called my cousin aside and read the contents to him. On hearing the message, he was even more agitated and anxious than I had been. We then called up the Indian and questioned him. He had found his chief, he said, and faithfully delivered the message entrusted to him. Kanimapo had, he added, bidden him hasten on to me, saying that he himself would risk everything to rescue my sister.
"I, as a foreigner and a medical man, shall run no risk," he observed; "and you can pass for my attendant or guide, and we shall be able to go wherever you wish." I thanked him for his offer, and said that I would try and obtain my father's leave to set off; but still I waited, hoping that Kanimapo would come back before long.
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