"It is the scalp of a dog of the Long-knives," he said, contemptuously as he placed his bleeding trophy in his girdle: "his lying tongue will never again deceive anybody."
Valentine was deep in thought.
"What are we to do now?" Don Miguel asked.
"Canelo!" Don Pablo exclaimed, "That is not difficult to guess, father—start at once in pursuit of Red Cedar."
"What does my brother say?" Unicorn asked, as he turned deferentially to Valentine.
The latter raised his head.
"All is over for this night," he replied; "that man was ordered to amuse us while his friends fled. Trying to pursue them at this moment would be signal folly; they have too great a start for us possibly to catch them up, and the night is so black that we should want a sentry on every branch. We will content ourselves for the present by keeping our line of scouts as we placed them. At daybreak the council of the tribe will assemble, and decide on the further measures to be taken."
All followed the hunter's advice, and they returned towards the camp, which they reached an hour later. On entering the clearing, Unicorn tapped Valentine on the shoulder.
"I have to speak with my brother," he said.
"I am listening to my brother," the hunter replied; "his voice is a music that always rejoices my heart."