"Let the chief speak," Valentine said; "his words are worth their weight in gold."
Everyone was silent.
"Curumilla," the chief said, "knows a crossroad which abridges the distance, and of which the Mexican general is ignorant. Curumilla will guide his friends."
The chief then took up his calumet again, and sat down once more as if it were nothing. From this moment the discussion was at an end. Curumilla, according to his custom, had cut the knot by removing the most dangerous obstacle.
"Comrades," the count said, "the wagons and guns are horsed. Wake up your men, and break up the camp silently. The inhabitants of La Magdalena, on getting up tomorrow morning, must not know what has become of us."
Then taking Captain de Laville and Valentine one side,—
"While I am going along the crossroad under the chiefs guidance, you, captain, will proceed in the direction of Ures; and you, brother, will march on Sonora. Get near enough to be seen, but do not engage in any skirmish; fall back, and join me again at once. We can only conquer our enemies by the rapidity of our movements."
"But in case we cannot join you on the road," Valentine objected, "what place will you appoint for our meeting?"
"The Hacienda del Milagro, four leagues from Hermosillo," Belhumeur said. "Headquarters will be there."
"Yes," the count said, furtively pressing the Canadian's hand.