"Stop!" he shouted, in a loud voice.
The Indians, obedient to their chiefs voice, immediately halted. The sachem took three steps, bowed respectfully before the Count, and said in a submissive voice:—
"My father must pardon his children, they did not know him: but my father is great, his power is immense, his goodness infinite: he will forget anything offensive in their conduct toward him."
Bright-eye, astonished at this harangue, translated it to the Count, honestly confessing that he did not understand what it meant.
"By Jove!" the Count replied, with a smile, "they are afraid."
"Hum!" the hunter muttered, "that is not so clear: it is something else; but no matter, it will be diamond cut diamond."
Then he turned to Natah Otann.
"The great pale chief," he said, "is satisfied with the respect his red children feel for him: he pardons them." Natah Otann made a movement of joy. The three men passed through the ranks of the Indians, and buried themselves in the forest, their retreat being in no way impeded.
"Ouf!" Bright-eye said, as soon as he found himself in safety, "I'm well out of that; but," he added shaking his head, "there is something extraordinary about the matter, which I cannot fathom."
"Now, my friend," the Count said to him, "you are free to go whither you please."