The border rifles were generally sleeping round the fires, but a cordon of vigilant sentries, placed at the openings of the camp, watched over the common security.
John Davis dismounted, inviting his comrade to follow his example; then, making him a sign to follow, he walked toward a tent, through the canvas of which a weak light could be seen flickering.
On reaching the entrance of the tent, the hunter stopped, and tapped twice.
"Are you asleep, Jaguar?" he asked, in a suppressed voice.
"Is that you, Davis, my old comrade?" was immediately asked from within.
"Yes."
"Come in, for I was impatiently waiting for you."
The American raised the curtain which covered the entrance, and glided into the tent; the soldier followed him gently, and the curtain fell down behind them.
The Jaguar, seated on a buffalo skull, was reading a voluminous correspondence by the dubious light of a candil; and in a corner of the tent might be seen two or three bear-skins, evidently intended to serve as a bed. On seeing the newcomers, the young man folded up the papers, and laid them in a small iron casket, the key of which he placed in his bosom, then raised his head, and looked anxiously at the soldier.
"Who's this, John?" he asked; "Have you brought prisoners?"