"Yes, but horses! Horses!" the hunter objected.
"The Wacondah will provide them," the chief replied. "He never abandons brave men, who place their confidence in him."
"Well, let us trust in Heaven!" Valentine said.
"I believe," said Doña Clara, who had listened to the conversation with deep attention, "that the advice of our friend, the Indian warrior, is good, and we ought to follow it."
Eagle-wing bowed, while a smile of satisfaction played over his face.
"Let it be as you desire," the hunter said, turning to the young Mexican girl, "we will start without further delay."
The cry of the jay was heard twice.
"Hilloh!" the hunter went on, "What is going on now? That is Shaw's signal."
Everybody seized his weapon, and proceeded at full speed in the direction whence the signal came; Doña Clara and Sunbeam remaining behind, concealed in a thicket.
Though unable to guess the motive which had caused Sunbeam to act in the way she had done, Doña Clara had however, understood at the first word, with that intuition which women possess, that Sunbeam was to be trusted—that in the present case she was acting under the impression of a good thought, and was entirely devoted to them for some reason or another. Hence she bestowed the most affectionate caresses on her.