The missionary only replied by a nod, and as the wounded man gave no sign of life, but still lay much in the position he was first placed in, Father Seraphin walked up to him. For a long time, however, the attention he lavished on him proved sterile, and seemed to produce no effect on the squatter's son. Still, the father did not despair, although Don Pablo shook his head. An hour thus passed, and no ostensible change had taken place in the young man's condition; the missionary had exhausted all his stock of knowledge, and began to fear the worst. At this moment the stranger walked up to him.
"My father," he said, touching him gently on the arm, "you have done all that was humanly possible, but have not succeeded."
"Alas! No!" the missionary said sadly.
"Will you permit me to try in my turn?"
"Do you fancy you will prove, more successful than I?" the priest asked in surprise.
"I hope so," the stranger said softly.
"Still, you see I have tried everything that the medical art prescribes in such a case."
"That is true, father; but the Indians possess certain secrets known only to themselves, and which are of great efficacy."
"I have heard so. But do you know those secrets?"
"Some of them have been revealed to me; if you will permit me, I will try their effects on this young man, who, as far as I can judge, is in a desperate condition."