And, finally, when we
went burning and shivering with cold to bed we could not sleep; and
hark! the grand nightly chorus was going on just as usual. No, in
spite of the great slaughter we had not exterminated the enemy; on the
contrary, they appeared to be rejoicing over a great victory,
especially when high above the deep harsh notes the long-drawn, organ-
like sounds of the leaders were heard.
How I then wished, when tossing and burning feverishly in bed, that I
had rebelled and refused to take part in that day's adventure! I was
too young for it, and again and again, when thrusting one of the
creatures through with my javeline, I had experienced a horrible
disgust and shrinking at the spectacle. Now in my wakeful hours, with
that tremendous chanting in my ears, it all came back to me and was
like a nightmare.
CHAPTER XIII
A PATRIARCH OF THE PAMPAS
The grand old man of the plains--Don Evaristo Penalva, the Patriarch--
My first sight of his estancia house--Don Evaristo described--A
husband of six wives--How he was esteemed and loved by every one--On
leaving home I lose sight of Don Evaristo--I meet him again after
seven years--His failing health--His old first wife and her daughter,
Cipriana--The tragedy of Cipriana--Don Evaristo dies and I lose sight
of the family.
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