"What is to be done?" Don Rafaël muttered mechanically.
There was a moment's silence: each reflected on the means to be employed in order to neutralise the effects of this treachery. Curumilla and Eagle-head rose, and prepared to leave the room.
"Where are you going?" Valentine asked them.
"While our brothers are consulting," the Araucano replied, "the Indian chiefs will go on the discovery."
"You are right, chief: go, go," the hunter said. "I do not know why," he added mournfully, "but I have a foreboding of misfortune."
The two Indians went out.
"Do you know the contents of the letter the count wrote me?" Don Rafaël asked presently.
"On my faith, no; but it is probable that he told you of the victory, and begged you to conduct Doña Angela to Hermosillo. In any case the letter was most compromising."
"As for that, I am very slightly alarmed, for General Guerrero will think twice before he attacks me.
"What is the use of this long deliberation, and such a loss of precious time? We have only one thing to do, and that is to go to Hermosillo as escort to Doña Angela," Belhumeur said.