And, stooping down to her daughter's ear, she whispered,—
"When we are alone, we will speak of him."
"Yes, mother," Diana said, almost joyfully, "Oh, how good you are, and how I love you."
They went out, and looked in the direction of the plain. At a considerable distance from the fort, they noticed a party of four or five persons, at the head of whom were John Black and his son William.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs. Black said, anxiously.
"We shall soon know, mother; calm yourself; they seem to be riding too gently for us to feel any alarm."
[CHAPTER XXII.]
IVON.
The Count and his two companions, as we have seen, bravely awaited the attack of the Indians; it was terrible. For an instant there was a horrible mêlée hand to hand; then the Indians fell back to draw breath, and begin again. Ten corpses lay at the feet of the three men, who were motionless and firm as a block of granite.