The Freebooters. Gustave Aimard

continued; "though it will cost me a pang to part with her, Carmela can no longer remain with us."

      "It would kill her," said Loyal Heart.

      "It would not take long, poor little darling," Lanzi pouted.

      "Yes: but to whom can I trust her now that the venta is destroyed?"

      "It is a difficult point," Lanzi observed.

      "Stay," said Loyal Heart, "are you not tigrero to the Larch-tree hacienda?"

      "I am."

      "There you have it," the Half-breed exclaimed. "That is a good idea. It would not have occurred to me."

      "What idea?" the Canadian asked.

      "The master of the hacienda," Loyal Heart continued, "will not refuse to receive Carmela in his house."

      The hunter shook his head in denial. "No, no," he said, "if I once asked the favour of him, I feel certain he would consent; but it cannot be."

      "Why?"

      "Because the owner of the Larch-tree is not the man we need to protect a girl."

      "Hum!" Loyal Heart said, "Our situation is growing more complicated, for I know nobody else who would take charge of her."

      "Nor I either, and that is what vexes me. Listen!" Loyal Heart suddenly exclaimed, "I do not know. Heaven pardon me, where my head was that I did not think of it at once. Do not be alarmed: I know somebody."

      "Speak, speak."

      "Come," the half-breed said aside, "this Loyal Heart is really a capital fellow, for he is full of good ideas."

      "For reasons too long to tell you at this moment, but which I will confide to you some day," the young man continued, "I am not alone in the desert, for my mother and an old servant of my family live about three hundred miles from where we now are with a tribe of Comanches, whose Chief adopted me a few years back. My mother is kind, she loves me madly, and will be delighted to treat your charming child as a daughter. She will watch over her, and give her those maternal attentions which only a woman can offer, especially when that woman is really a mother, and constantly trembles for the safety of a son to whom she has sacrificed everything. Every month, on the same day, I abandon the chase, mount my mustang, and, traversing the desert with the speed of an arrow, I go and see my mother, with whom I remain for some time among the tribe. This is about the period when I am wont to proceed to the village; so, will you let me guide you there? Coming with me, the Indians will receive you kindly, and my mother will thank you for confiding your daughter to her."

      "Loyal Heart," the Canadian answered, with emotion, "your offer is that of an honest, upright man. I accept it as frankly as you make it; by the side of your mother my daughter will be happy, and she will have nothing to fear. Thanks."

      "Loyal Heart," the half-breed said, eagerly, "I know not who gave you the name you bear; but, canarios, he was well acquainted with you, I declare."

      The two men smiled at Lanzi's outbreak.

      "Now, that is settled," he continued, "you want me no longer, I suppose? If so, good night; my eyelids prick as if they were full of thorns."

      He wrapped himself carefully in his zarapé, stretched himself on the ground, and a minute later was fast asleep. It is probable that the worthy man wished to make up for lost time, for he saw plainly that he had been of no use in the council.

      "When do we start?" the Canadian asked.

      "The road is a long one," Loyal Heart answered. "We have more than three hundred miles to ride; Carmela is exhausted by the fatigue she has endured for some time past, and perhaps we should do well to grant her a day or two of rest to regain the requisite strength to endure the new fatigues that await her during the long journey we are about to undertake."

      "Yes, you are right; this journey, which would be as nothing to us, is enormous for a girl; let us remain here a couple of days—the camp is good, and the spot well selected. There is nothing to hurry us; it is better to act prudently, in order that we may not have at a later date to regret precipitation, which may prove fatal to her whom we desire so greatly to protect."

      "During the time we spend here our horses will regain their fire and vigour, and we can profit by the rest to get some provisions together."

      "Well said, brother; that is settled; in two days we will set out, and I hope that Heaven will be so merciful as to permit us to reach our journey's end safe and sound."

      "Heaven will not turn against us, brother, you may be sure."

      "I am well aware of that," the Canadian answered, with that simple faith which characterised him; "hence you see me quite happy. You cannot imagine how anxious I feel, and what an immense service you have just rendered me."

      "Do not speak about that, for are we not sworn friends?"

      "No matter, I must thank you once more, my heart is so full that it must overflow; but now that we understand each other thoroughly, go and sleep, my friend; night is drawing on apace, and you must need rest."

      "On the contrary, you must lie down, my friend, for do you not remember I said I would keep watch?"

      "No, no."

      "But you must be tired to death, my friend."

      "I? Nonsense; I have a body of iron and nerves of steel; weariness has no effect on me."

      "Still, my friend, human strength, however great it may be, has its limits, beyond which it cannot go."

      "That is possible, my friend. I will not discuss that question with you, but merely limit myself to saying that joy has robbed me of sleep. I am as wide awake as an opossum, and in vain should I try to close my eyes. No, I require to reflect a little on all this, and I propose doing so, while you, who are naturally calmer, will sleep."

      "As you insist on it, I will give way."

      "Very good; you are becoming reasonable," Tranquil said, with a smile. "Good night, brother."

      "Good night!" Loyal Heart answered.

      The young man, in the face of the resolve so clearly made by the Canadian, thought it useless longer to resist, the more so, as he was beginning to feel great inclination for sleep. He, therefore, lay down, and was soon sound asleep. Tranquil had spoken the truth; he required to isolate himself for some hours, in order to go over the events which during the last few days had fallen upon him so unexpectedly, and broken up that placidity of life to which he had grown gently accustomed for some years past.

      The hours passed away one after the other, but the hunter, plunged in his reflections, felt no desire for sleep. The stars were beginning to go out, the horizon was crossed by pale bands, the breeze grew sharper and colder; all foreboded, in fact, the approach of dawn, when suddenly a slight noise, resembling that produced by the fracture of a withered branch, smote on the hunter's practised ear, and caused him to start. The Canadian, without stirring, raised his head and listened, while softly placing his hand on the rifle that lay by his side.