"I, of course," the new arriver said. "Who would dare enter in this way except me?"
"Valentine!" the count exclaimed with a shout of joy, and throwing down his pistols. "You are welcome, brother: I have been expecting you impatiently."
"Thank you," the hunter said. "Did not Curumilla announce my return this very night?"
"Yes," the count said with a laugh; "but you know how easy it is to talk with the chief."
"That is true. Well, I have brought you the information he omitted to give you, and perhaps it is all for the best."
The count had dressed himself; that is to say, he put on his coat and zarapé, for he had thrown himself on his bed in his clothes.
"Take a stool," he said, "and let us talk."
"I prefer going out."
"As you please," Don Louis answered, suspecting that his friend had peculiar reasons for acting thus. They left the tent together.
"Captain de Laville," the hunter said, addressing the young man, who was walking up and down before the tent, "an escort of ten horsemen, a horse for myself, and another for the chief, if you please."