"Thanks, chief; I should feel obliged, however, by your lending me two or three warriors to guard them."
"It is unnecessary," Sandoval interrupted. "I pledge my word of honour and that of my comrade not to try and escape for the next twenty-four hours."
Valentine fixed on him a glance that seemed trying to read his most secret thoughts.
"It is well," he said presently. "I accept your parole."
"Are you going to leave this poor creature without help?"
"You love him?"
"As my son; had it not been so, you would not have captured me."
"Very good. We will try to save him; but, perhaps, it would be better for him to die at once."
"Perhaps so," the old Pirate said, shaking his head, and speaking, as it seemed, to himself.
"In a few moments the scalp dance will begin; will my brothers be present at it?" Unicorn asked.