"Before all," the Frenchman observed, "let us put out the fire; its gleam, slight as it is, might betray us."
His companions followed his advice, and the fire was extinguished in a second.
"My brother, the paleface, is prudent," the chief said courteously. "He knows the desert. I am happy to see him by my side."
Don Louis thanked the chief courteously.
"And now," Belhumeur went on, "we are almost invisible—no visible danger threatens us; so let us hold a council. The chief had the first scent of peril: it is, therefore, his place to tell us what he observed."
The Indian wrapped him up in his fresada; the three men drew closer, so as to be able to speak in a whisper, and the council commenced.
"Since sunrise this morning," Eagle-head said, "I have been marching in the desert. I was anxious to reach the place of meeting, and proceeded in a straight line to arrive sooner. All along the road I found evident signs of the passage of a numerous band; the tracks were wide and full, like those made by a party of warriors so large they care not for discovery. These trails continued for a long distance, then suddenly disappeared: it was impossible for me to find them again."
"Deuce, deuce!" the Canadian muttered, "That is awkward."
"At first I did not pay much attention to trail, but presently I began to feel restless, and that is the reason I have mentioned it to you."
"What reason rendered you restless?"