But this desperate struggle of three against several hundred could not last long; in spite of all their efforts they were at length lassoed, and securely bound.
"Kill me, villains," Red Cedar howled in despair.
Bloodson walked up to him, and touched his shoulder.
"You will be tried by Lynch Law, Red Cedar," he said to him.
At the sight of the ranger the squatter made a terrible effort to burst his bonds, and rush upon him; but he did not succeed, and fell back on the ground, which he bit at wildly, and foaming with rage. When the fight was over, Valentine hurried from the cavern to breathe a little fresh air. Sunbeam was waiting for him. "Koutonepi," she said to him, "Seraphin, the Father of Prayer, has sent me to you—your mother is dying."
"My mother!" the hunter exclaimed in despair. "Oh, God! What shall I do to reach her?"
"Curumilla is warned," she answered; "he is waiting for you at the foot of the mountains, with two horses."
The hunter rushed down the path like a madman.