And he honestly offered his hand to the hunter. The latter hesitated for a moment, then suddenly forming a resolution, he cordially pressed the hand, saying—
"I believe you, chief; your name is known to me; you have the reputation of a wise man and brave warrior, so I trust to you; but I implore you to help me in recovering this unhappy girl."
Sunbeam gently raised her head, and gave the hunter a glance of tender sympathy, as she said in her harmonious voice—
"The pale virgin runs no danger, in a few minutes she will come to herself again; my brother may be at his ease."
"Thanks, thanks, young woman," the Canadian said, warmly; "the hope you give me fills me with joy; I can now think about avenging my poor Dick."
"What does my brother mean?" the chief asked, surprised at the flash of fury from the hunter's dark eye.
The latter, reassured as to the state of his companion, and attracted by the open and honest reception the Indian gave him, did not hesitate to confide to him not only what had occurred to himself, but also the causes which had brought him into this deserted country.
"Now," he said in the close, "I have only one desire—to place this girl in security, and then avenge my friend."
The Indian has listened unmoved and without interruption to the hunter's long story. When he had finished he seemed to reflect for some minutes, and then answered the Canadian, as he laid his hand on his shoulder—
"Then my brother wishes to take vengeance on the Apaches?"