He also thought that the Queres were on the war-path to avenge the murder.

In what manner this was connected with the excited state of the woman he could not clearly see, unless she was perhaps the widow of the murdered man.
In that event she might have become insane from fright and despair! Her violent gesticulations and the expression of passion and agitation on her features confirmed his suspicion that Shotaye was distracted.
A growing coldness in his manner at last showed the woman what sort of an impression she had been creating, and she felt very uneasy.

Not that her life became endangered thereby; on the contrary, the Indian is very considerate and charitable toward such unfortunates.

But from the moment that the Tehuas were convinced of her insanity they would attach no longer any importance to her warnings, and a precious lapse of time that should be improved for immediate preparations for defence was irretrievably lost.

The Queres might be allowed to approach, and their onslaught would find the Tehuas utterly unprepared.