The maidens and their guide were soon mixed up in this motley crowd, in the midst of which they disappeared. Don Miguel sighed.
"Let us go," he said in a deep voice.
They returned to the forest. A few moments later, they set out again.
"We must separate," Don Miguel said when they had crossed the forest; "I shall return to Tubar."
"And I am going to try to render a small service to an Indian chief, a friend of mine."
"You are always thinking of others, and never of yourself, my worthy Marksman; you are ever anxious to be of use to someone."
"What would you have, Don Miguel? It seems to be my mission—you know that every man has one."
"Yes!" the young man answered in a hollow voice. "Good-bye!" he added presently, "do not forget our meeting."
"All right! In a fortnight, at the ford of the Rubio; that is settled."
"Forgive me my chariness of speech during the few days we have spent together; the secret is not mine alone, Marksman; I am not at liberty to divulge it, even to so kind a friend as yourself."