Ivon looked at her.
"You appear to take an interest in him?"
"He is brave," she exclaimed, passionately; "this morning he killed the cougars that threatened Prairie-Flower; she has a heart—she will remember."
"That is true; quite true, young lady," he said; "he saved your life. Tell me first, though, how it is we should have met in this forest."
"Listen, then, as you insist."
The Breton bowed. To all his other qualities Ivon added that of being as obstinate as an Andalusian mule. Once the worthy man had taken a theory into his head, nothing could turn him from it. We must grant, however, that he had at present excellent reason to distrust the Indians.
Prairie-Flower continued:—
"After Glass-eye had so bravely killed the cougars," she said, with considerable emotion, "the great Chief, Natah Otann, was angry with Prairie-Flower, and ordered her to return to the village with Red Wolf."
"I know all that," Ivon interrupted, "I was there; and that is why it seems to me so extraordinary to meet you here when you should have been on the road to the village."
The Indian girl gave one of those little pouts peculiar to her, and which rendered her so seductive.