The Cougar whistled to his horse, which came running at his call, and he set off in the direction of the camp. His horse, refreshed by the rest he had had during the conference of the two men, appeared to annihilate space.
The Indian reflected. His ordinarily sombre countenance had a joyous expression which was not natural to it. He pressed to his chest the packet which the gaucho had given him, as if he feared it Would escape him; and as he galloped he spoke to himself, and at times allowed exclamations of pleasure to escape him, which would have much astonished the warriors of his tribe, if they had heard him.
He made such haste that he re-entered the camp about two hours before daybreak.
After having sent his horse among the others, he laid himself down before a fire, taking care to wrap his precious packet in his poncho, and to place it under his head, to be certain that it should not be carried away then he closed his eyes, murmuring in a low voice, and between his teeth—
"I have well earned two or three hours of repose and I think I shall sleep well, for now I am content."
Indeed, five minutes later he slept as if he would never wake again.
However, at sunrise the Cougar was one of the first awake, and the first up.
Gueyma, crouched near him, waited his awaking.
"Already up?" said the old chief to him.
"Is there anything extraordinary In that? Have I not slept all the night?"