Valentine and his comrades had not lost one of the fugitive's movements; although they were themselves hotly pursued, they anxiously followed the incidents of this terrible struggle.
"They are lost!" Don Pablo suddenly shouted. "That Indian is mad, on my soul. See, he is trying to turn back in this direction—it is running into the wolf's throat!"
"You are mistaken," Valentine answered; "the tactics of that man are, on the contrary, extremely simple, and at the same time most clever. The Apaches have guessed them; for look, they are trying to cut him off from the river as far as they can."
"'Tis true, by heavens!" Shaw said; "We must help that man in his manoeuvre."
"That depends on ourselves," Valentine answered, quickly; "let us turn and suddenly attack the Apaches; perhaps that diversion will enable our friends to succeed."
"Well, that is an excellent idea," remarked Don Pablo; "how wise it was of Curumilla to make us ride."
"What did I say to you?" Valentine said with a smile. "Oh! the chief is an invaluable man."
Curumilla smiled proudly, but maintained silence.
"Are you ready to follow me and be killed, if necessary to save Doña Clara?" Valentine went on.
"Cascaras!" the hunters answered.