"Bah!" the general answered, gaily, "I was sure we should get out of this, my friend."
"When shall we start?" Don Pablo asked.
"As soon as it is night," Valentine replied; "but where is Curumilla?"
"On my word I do not know. I saw him about half an hour ago, gliding along the mountain side, as if he had suddenly gone mad; but I have not seen him since."
"Curumilla does nothing without a reason," the hunter said with a shake of the head; "you will soon see him return."
Indeed, the hunter had scarce finished speaking, when the Indian chief shewed his head level with the platform, and with one leap he rejoined his friends. His zarapé, knotted at the four corners, hung behind his back.
"What have you there, chief?" Valentine asked, with a smile: "Can it be food?"
"Cuerpo de Cristo!" the general exclaimed, "it would be welcome, for I have a wolf's appetite."
"Where could provisions be found in this fearful region?" Don Pablo exclaimed, in a hollow voice.
"My brothers will see," the chief simply answered.