A shudder ran through the ranks of the assembly. Eagle Head felt a cold perspiration pealing on his temples.
Loyal Heart preserved silence for a minute, fixing an indefinable look upon the Indians; then, raising his shoulders with disdain, he threw his weapons at his feet, and crossing his arms upon his breast, he turned towards the Canadian.
"Belhumeur," he said, in a calm, clear voice, "restore these two poor creatures to liberty."
"How can you dream of such a thing?" cried the astonished hunter; "why, that would be your sentence of death!"
"I know it would."
"Well?"
"I beg you to do it."
The Canadian made no reply. He began to whistle between his teeth, and, drawing his knife, he, at a stroke, cut the bonds which confined his captives, who bounded away like jaguars, uttering howlings of joy, to conceal themselves among their friends. He then replaced his knife in his belt, threw down his weapons, dismounted, and went and placed himself resolutely by the side of Loyal Heart.
"What are you doing?" the latter cried. "Make your escape, my friend."
"What! save myself and leave you?" the Canadian replied, carelessly. "No, thank you. As I must die once, I had quite as lief it should be today as hereafter. I shall never, perhaps, find so good an opportunity."