"Let my brother explain," Unicorn answered. "He is speaking to a chief; he must remove the skin from his heart and let his blood flow red and bright before a friend. The great white hunter is a portion of myself. I should have to be prevented by an arrant impossibility if I refused any request emanating from him."
"Thanks, brother," Valentine said with emotion. "Your words have passed from your lips into my breast, which they have rejoiced. I am not mistaken. I see that I can ever count on your well-tried friendship and honest aid. Acumapicthzin de Zarate, the descendant of the Mexican kings, the friend of the redskins, whom he has ever protected, is a prisoner to the gachupinos. They have carried him to Santa Fe in order to put him to death, and deprive the Indians of the last friend left them."
"And what does my brother want?"
"I wish to save my friend."
"Good!" the chief answered. "My brother claims my help to succeed in that project, I suppose?"
"Yes."
"Good! The descendant of the Tlatoanis shall be saved. My brother can feel reassured."
"I can count, then, on my brother's aid?" Valentine asked quickly.
The chief smiled.
"Unicorn holds in his hands Spaniards who will answer for the life of the prisoner."