"I do not care," Black Elk remarked, "whatever you may say, he is a fine fellow. What do you think about him, you who know him, eh?"
"Tough as hickory," the Canadian answered intrepidly.
Without further commentary the three bold hunters mounted and proceeded in the track of the count.
[1] See "The Trappers of Arkansas."
[CHAPTER XXI.]
THE CAPTURE OF HERMOSILLO.
Although the horses ridden by the count's escort were good, the hunters were mounted on such fast mustangs that they caught up Don Louis within twenty minutes of his leaving the hacienda. On hearing hurried footfalls behind them, the Frenchmen, not knowing who could be coming like a tornado after them, bravely wheeled round; but Belhumeur prevented any misunderstanding by making himself known.
"You are welcome, you and your companions, Belhumeur," the count said to him. "But what urgent reason compels you to gallop so late along the roads?"
"A service I want to ask of you, Don Louis," the Canadian frankly replied.