"Wah!" he said, "And no other person but the young Pale virgin accompanies the hunter?"
"No. It seems that the other white warriors who were with him left him at daybreak."
"Does my father know where they are gone?"
"I did not inquire. That does not concern me. Every man has enough business of his own without troubling himself about that of others."
"My father is a wise man."
The monk made no reply to this compliment.
These words were rapidly exchanged between the two men. Fray Antonio had answered so naturally, and with such well-played frankness, that the Indian, whose secret thoughts the Mexican's answers flattered, felt all his suspicions vanish, and went, head down, into the snare so adroitly laid for him.
"Och!" he said, "Blue-fox will see his friend."
"The father can return to the camp of the Apache warriors."
"No, thank you, Chief," the monk answered, resolutely, "I prefer remaining with people of my own colour."