"I think so, too," Nathan replied, with a grin; "poor fellows! They are inconsolable at my loss."
"The more so, because you probably did not quit them without leaving your card."
"Quite true, father," the other said, as he raised his hunting shirt and displayed two bloody scalps suspended to his girdle; "I did not neglect business."
The wretch, before fastening the lasso round him, had, with horrible coolness, scalped his two victims.
"In that case," Fray Ambrosio said, "they must be furious; you know that the Comanches never forgive. How could you commit so unworthy an action?"
"Trouble yourself about your own affairs, señor Padre," Nathan said, brutally, "and let me act as I think proper, unless you wish me to send you to take my place with the butt end of my rifle."
The monk bit his lips.
"Brute beast!" he muttered.
"Come, peace, in the devil's name!" Red Cedar said; "let us think about not being caught."
"Yes," Sutter supported him, "when you are in safety, you can have an explanation with knives, like true caballeros. But, at this moment, we have other things to do than quarrel like old women."