"Good!" the Ulmen said; "the Murucho may speak."
"Pardieu!" cried Valentine. "Notwithstanding the bold-faced assurance of this individual, I shall find it no difficult matter to prove that he is an impostor."
"We are attentive," said Curumilla.
The Indians drew round with intense curiosity. Louis could not at all make out what his friend proposed to do. He could only suppose that some extravagant idea had crossed his brain, and was as impatient as the rest to see how he would come through his dangerous undertaking with honour.
"One moment!" said the machi, with perfect assurance. "What will my brothers do if I prove my accusation true?"
"The stranger must die," said Curumilla, coolly.
"I accept the terms," Valentine replied, resolutely. Placed thus in the necessity of explaining himself, the Frenchman drew himself up to his full height, and, knitting his brows, exclaimed pompously—
"I, too, am a great medicine man!"
The Indians bowed reverentially. The science of Europeans is perfectly established among them; they respect without disputing it.
"It was not Trangoil-Lanec," continued the Frenchman, with the greatest audacity, "who killed the chief; it was the machi himself."