"Should I have come without that? Still, it seems to me you could have come nearer to me."
"It was not possible."
The canoe ran on to the sand; the two men leaped on lightly, and in a second joined Don Stefano. Both were dressed and armed like prairie hunters.
"Hum!" Don Stefano continued; "it is a long journey from the camp here, and I am afraid that my absence may be noticed."
"That is a risk you must run," the first speaker remarked—a man of tall stature, with a grave and stern face, whose hair, white as snow, fell in long curls on his shoulders.
"Well, as you are here at last, let us come to an understanding; and make haste about it, for time is precious. What have you done since we parted?"
"Not much; we followed you at a distance, that is all, ready to come to your assistance if needed."
"Thanks; no news?"
"None. Who could have given us any?"
"That is true; and have you not met your friend Marksman?"