Part 50 (1/2)

The maiden's face was inundated with tears, and her bosom heaved.

”Ungrateful man,” she said, with an accent of bitter reproach, ”he does not understand how much I love him.”

Don Pablo made a final effort; he overcame his grief, and said, in a stammering voice--

”Go, then, and may Heaven protect you!”

”Farewell!”

”Oh! Not farewell--we shall meet again.”

The girl shook her head sadly, and leaped on the horse the Canadian held ready for her.

”Harry,” said Don Pablo, ”watch over her.”

”As over my sister,” the Canadian answered, in a deep voice.

Ellen gave a parting signal of farewell to Don Pablo, and loosened the bridle. The young man fell on the ground in despair.

”Oh! All my happiness has fled me!” he muttered, in a broken voice.

Moukapec had not made a move; his sleep must have been very sound. Two hours later, Valentine and his friends returned from their trip to the island, and Don Miguel at once noticed the absence of the squatter's daughter.

”Where is Ellen?” he asked, quickly.

”Gone!” Don Pablo muttered.

”And you allowed her to fly?” the hacendero exclaimed.

”She was not a prisoner, hence I had no right to oppose her departure.”

”And the Canadian hunter?”

”Gone too.”

”Oh!” Don Miguel exclaimed, ”We must start in pursuit of them without the loss of a moment.”

A shudder of terror and joy ran over the young man's body, as he turned pale at this proposition. Valentine gave him a searching glance, and then laid his hand on his friend's shoulder.

”We will do nothing of the sort,” he said, with a meaning smile; ”on the contrary, we will allow Red Cedar's daughter to withdraw unimpeded.”

”But--” Don Miguel objected.

Valentine bent down and whispered a few words in his ear. The hacendero started.

”You are right,” he muttered.

”Now,” the hunter went on, ”let us sleep, for I promise you a hard day's work tomorrow.”