"It shall be!" a calm and haughty voice said.
And Eagle-wing suddenly appeared in the midst of the group.
"What!" Valentine exclaimed with amazement, "you would give yourself up to torture? I will not suffer it, chief: remain with your friends, we will save you, or perish together."
The Coras shook his head sadly.
"No!" he said, "I cannot do that, it would be cowardly. The White Lily of the Valley must be saved. I have sworn to her father to devote myself to her, and my brother Koutonepi must let me accomplish my promise."
"But these men," Valentine continued to urge, "have no claim on you."
Moukapec let his head sink.
"By Nuestra Señora del Pilar," Don Pablo interrupted him with emotion, "we cannot thus abandon a man who has done us many services."
Valentine, with his eyes fixed on the ground, was reflecting.
"Good," Black Cat went on; "Eagle-wing is here, the palefaces are free: they will return to their great lodges whenever they please: they will find the roads open. The Apaches have only one word; let the warrior follow me."