"It if true," pursued the chief; "your observation is very just but it does not depend upon me."
"How is that?"
"Because the fires are lighted in the wood, and the encampments are prepared."
"The encampment prepared! By whom?"
"By friends—probably," answered the Cougar, with a strange smile.
"Ah!" exclaimed Gueyma, with an inquiring look.
"Yes, friends!" resumed the old chief, significantly "Did we not expect some? Dove's Eye, eh?"
"Let us be off, then!" cried the impetuous young man, putting his horse in train to dart forward.
But the Cougar suddenly stopped him, and, coldly laying his hand on the bridle:
"Do you remember the word that you have given me, Gueyma?" said he.