Loyal Heart impressed a long and tender kiss upon her brow, and placing her in the hands of Nô Eusebio, who had arrived some minutes before: said in a voice choked with grief.
"Begone, poor mother, may she be happy, if happiness can exist for her without her child."
The old servant sighed, pressed the hand of Loyal Heart warmly, and placing the lifeless form of his mistress before him in the saddle, he turned his horse's head and left the camp slowly, no one attempting to oppose his departure.
Loyal Heart looked after his mother as long as he could see her; then, when she disappeared, and the steps of the horse that bore her could no longer be heard, he breathed a deep, broken sigh, and passing his hand over his brow, murmured,—
"All is ended! My God, watch over her!"
Then, turning towards the Indian chief who surveyed him in silence, mingled with respect and admiration—he said in a firm clear voice, and with a contemptuous look,—
"Comanche warriors! you are all cowards! brave men do not torture women!"
Eagle Head smiled.
"We shall see," he said ironically, "if the pale trapper is as brave as he pretends to be."
"At least I shall know how to die like a man," he replied haughtily.