"Yes," the missionary replied with a smile, "but I believe mine be better."
"It is possible. You know I do not discuss that subject with you; for I do not know how you do it, but you always succeed in proving to me that I am wrong."
Everybody laughed at this sally.
"And what are the Indians doing at this moment?" Valentine continued. "Are they still fighting?"
"No; I succeeded in bringing Unicorn, the principal chief of the Comanches, and Stanapat (the Handful of Blood), the Apache sachem, to an interview, at which peace was sworn."
"Hum!" Valentine said incredulously, "that peace will not last long, for Unicorn has too many reasons to owe the Apaches a grudge."
"Nothing leads to the supposition, at present, that your forebodings will be speedily realised."
"Why so?"
"Because, when I left Unicorn, he was preparing for a grand buffalo hunt, in which five hundred picked warriors were to take part."
"Ah, ah! and where do you think the hunt will take place, father?"