Part 2 (1/2)
”Perhaps so,” Don Miguel observed.
”Doubt is not admissible under the circ.u.mstances; the scalp hunter is too well used to a desert life not to try and get all the chances of success on his side.”
”But, if that happen, it will be a general war,” the hacendero said.
”Doubtless,” Valentine continued; ”that is what I wish to arrive at. Two days' march from where we now are there is a Navajo village; I have done some slight services to Yellow Wolf, the princ.i.p.al chief; we must proceed to him before Red Cedar attempts to see him, and insure his alliance at all risks. The Navajos are prudent and courageous warriors.”
”Do you not fear the consequences of this delay?”
”Once for all, caballeros,” Valentine answered, ”remember that in the country where we now are the straight line is ever the longest.”
The three men bowed resignedly.
”Yellow Wolf's alliance is indispensable to us: with his support it will be easy for us to--”
The sudden appearance of Curumilla interrupted the hunter.
”What is the matter now?” he asked him.
”Listen!” the chief answered laconically.
The four men anxiously stopped talking.
”By Heavens!” Valentine said, as he hurriedly arose, ”What is the matter here?”
And, followed by his comrades, he stepped into the thicket. The Mexicans, whose senses were dulled, had heard nothing at the first moment; but the noise which had struck the hunter's practised ear now reached them. It was the furious galloping of several horses, whose hoofs re-echoed on the ground with a noise resembling that of thunder.
Suddenly, ferocious yells were heard, mingled with shots.
The five travellers, hidden behind trees, peered out, and soon noticed a man mounted on a horse lathered with foam, who was pursued by some thirty mounted Indians.
”To horse!” Valentine commanded in a low voice. ”We cannot let this man be a.s.sa.s.sinated.”
”Hem!” the general muttered, ”We are playing a dangerous game, for they are numerous.”
”Do you not see that the man is of our own colour?” Valentine went on.
”That is true,” said Don Miguel. ”Whatever happens, we must not allow him to be ma.s.sacred in cold blood by those ferocious Indians.”
In the meanwhile, the pursuers and pursued had come nearer the spot where the hunters were ambushed behind the trees. The man the Indians were so obstinately following drew himself up haughtily in his saddle, and, while galloping at full speed, turned from time to time to fire his rifle into the thick of his enemies. At each discharge a warrior fell; his comrades then uttered fearful yells, and answered by a shower of arrows and bullets. But the stranger shook his head disdainfully, and continued his career.
”_Caspita!_” the general said with admiration; ”That is a brave fellow.”
”On my soul,” Don Pablo exclaimed, ”it would be a pity to see him killed.”
”We must save him,” Don Miguel could not refrain from saying.
Valentine smiled gently.