Part 33 (1/2)
”Good!” he said, ”My brother is brave--I will help him to his vengeance.”
At this moment Ellen partly opened her eyes.
”Where am I?” she murmured.
”Rea.s.sure yourself, Ellen,” the hunter replied; ”for the moment at least you have nothing to fear as you are surrounded by friends.”
”Where is Dona Clara? I do not see her,” she continued, in a weak voice.
”I will tell you presently, Ellen, what has happened to her,” the hunter remarked.
Ellen sighed and was silent; she understood that Harry would not tell her fresh misfortune in her present state of weakness. Owing to Sunbeam's increasing attentions she, however, soon completely regained her senses.
”Does my sister feel her strength returned?” the squaw asked her anxiously.
”Oh,” she said, ”I am quite well now.”
Unicorn looked fixedly at her.
”Yes,” he said, ”my sister is at present in a condition to travel. It is time to start, our road is long; Sunbeam will give her horse to the pale virgin, that she may be able to follow us.”
”Where do you intend taking us, chief?” the hunter asked, with badly-veiled anxiety.
”Did not my brother say that he wished to avenge himself?”
”Yes, I did.”
”Well, he can follow me, and I will lead him to those who will help him.”
”Hum!” the Canadian muttered, ”I require n.o.body for that.”
”My brother is mistaken; he requires allies, for the enemy he will have to fight is powerful.”
”That is possible. But I should like to know these allies, at any rate; I am not inclined to league myself with the villainous bandits, who flock to the desert and dishonour our colour. I am a frank and honest hunter, for my part.”
”My brother has spoken well,” the chief answered, with a smile; ”he can be at rest, and place entire confidence in those to whom I am about to lead him.”
”Who are they, then?”
”One is the father of the maiden the Apaches have carried off, the others--”
”Stay, chief,” the hunter quickly exclaimed, ”that is sufficient, I do not want to know the rest. We will start when you please, and I will follow you anywhere.”
”Good; my brother will get the horses ready, while I give some indispensable orders to my squaw.”
Harry bowed in sign of acquiescence, and deftly accomplished the task, while the Comanche took his wife aside, and conversed with her in a whisper.
”Now we will go,” the Comanche said, as he returned to the hunter.
”Does not Sunbeam accompany us?” Ellen asked.