"The night is dark, and I took you for Apaches."
"Is that why you fired at us?"
"Yes."
"I suppose you did not expect to kill us all six?"
"I did not try to kill you."
"Ah, ah! You wished to give us a salute, I suppose?" the hunter remarked, with a laugh.
"No, but I wished to attract your attention."
"Well, you succeeded; in that case, why did you bolt?"
"I did not do so—I let you catch me."
"Hum," Valentine said again; "well, no matter, we have got you and you'll be very clever if you escape."