"Thanks, brother," she said to him, cordially offering her hand. "Now, think of yourself; we shall meet again soon."
Then she added, addressing Don Pablo:
"I follow you, caballero."
The Canadian hunter stood for a moment abashed by this hurried leave-taking, but soon raised his head again.
"Hum!" he muttered, "that's the way she leaves me, is it? But why be angry with her, all women are alike—and, then, I have sworn to defend her! Can I compel her to love me?"
And after these philosophical reflections, which restored him all his tranquillity of mind, he threw his rifle over his shoulder, and quietly mixed among Bloodson's partisans.
Don Pablo, in the meanwhile, had conducted the maiden to a cabin miraculously preserved from the flames. At the moment they entered, they were joined by Valentine.
"Ah, a woman," he said, gaily, "all the better."
And laying White Gazelle on the buffalo hides, he added with a smile:
"Permit me, madam, to entrust to your care this young person, whom my friend Curumilla has half killed. We must do all our best to restore life."