"Ah!" the chief exclaimed, "then my brother has started some game?"
"Oh!" Valentine answered with a laugh, "Let my brother trust to me, and I promise him rich spoils."
"Good! Of what game does my brother speak?"
"Of gachupinos[1]. In two days they will meet in large numbers not far from here."
"Wah!" said the Comanche, whose eyes sparkled at this news, "My young men will hunt them. My brother must explain."
Valentine shook his head.
"My words are for the ears of a chief," he said.
Without replying, Unicorn made a signal: the Indians rose silently, and left the tent. Curumilla and Unicorn alone remained near the fire. Valentine then explained to the Comanche, in its fullest details, the plan he had conceived, in the execution of which the aid of the Indians was indispensable for him. Unicorn listened attentively without interrupting. When Valentine had ended,—
"What does my brother think?" the latter asked, fixing a scrutinising glance on the impassive countenance of the chief.
"Wah!" the other replied, "the paleface is very crafty. Unicorn will do what he desires."