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Updated: June 18, 2025
The cacique knows the noted spot, as well as Nacena herself, he too having oft played beneath its shade, or climbed up its grand trunk and disported himself among its branches, when more of a boy than he is now. But he reflects not on these past times, so full of innocence and happiness.
"'Twas good of you to reject the foul proposal," goes on the gaucho, "and indignantly, as we know you did. We saw and heard it all. And now, I have a proposal to offer, which you won't reject; I'm sure you won't, Nacena." She makes no rejoinder, but stands waiting to receive it. "It is," he continues, "that you can still rid yourself of that rival, not by doing wrong, but right and justice.
Raising the hag in his arms he bears her off, with no more care for her comfort than if she were a trapped wolf. Nacena is borne more tenderly in Ludwig's arms, into which she has been transferred, by a sort of tacit understanding between him and his cousin the latter walking alongside. No threat hears the girl, nor needs it to enforce silence.
Different Ludwig, who at the first glance got of it, unable to restrain himself, mechanically mutters the name "Nacena!" Fortunately Ludwig's exclamation has been uttered in a subdued tone of voice; but lest in his agitation he may speak louder, the gaucho grasps him by the arm, and cautions silence, enjoining the same on Cypriano.
For the captive girl, her surprise once past, is but too willing to embrace the opportunity so unexpectedly offered, and by one so unlikely to offer it. Therefore, without further hesitation, she signifies acceptance, saying, "I will trust you, Nacena. You have called me your white sister, and I believe you sincere. You would not speak so if you meant me harm.
He hears voices ahead soft and sweet, though raised in tones of alarm and knows she must be there. Giving his horse's head a wrench, so as to shave close past the delinquent jailer, he raises his macana, and dealing a downward blow, strikes the latter to the earth: then hastens on after the others. Nacena now knows for certain that they are pursued, as also who is the pursuer.
One party is mounted, the other afoot; the former being Gaspar and his two companions, while the latter is also composed of three individuals Nacena, Francesca, and Shebotha's slave. The two girls, going in a half-run, are side by side, and ahead of the man; who, less free of foot, has fallen behind them to a distance of some twenty or thirty paces.
But love's eloquence is not confined to age, race, or rank, no more than that of jealousy. Both passions may burn in the breast of the savage maiden, as in the heart of the high-born lady perhaps tearing it more. Not strange they should find like expression on the lips. "Why not now?" continues Nacena in a tone that tells of despair, while the cloud upon her brow is seen to grow darker.
At length has the opportunity arrived for the angry brother to take the retribution he has resolved upon Nacena herself being a witness to it. For she is near by, standing on a higher bench behind, in posed attitude, with her features hard set and lips compressed, as one about to be spectator to a sad and painful scene. But if she feel sadness, it is not for the death now threatening Aguara.
Say to him, that men of his own race and colour are near, ready to rescue and take him back to his people, wherever they may be. Surely that will be enough to gain him to our side, and get his help also." Nacena hesitates for a time; then answering, says "No, not enough, I fear." "But why?" "The white man is not in his senses. He has lost them long ago. The little left him is given to Shebotha.
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