"Do you speak seriously?" cried Black Elk, with warmth; "can you really be on good terms with the Indians?"
"You shall judge for yourself. Peace is made between them and me, my friends. If agreeable to you, I will introduce you to each other."
"By Heaven! at the present moment nothing could fall out more fortunately," said Black Elk; "and as you are free, we shall be able to concern ourselves for other people, who are, at this moment, in great peril, and stand in need of our immediate assistance."
"What do you mean?" Loyal Heart asked, with a curiosity mingled with interest.
"I mean, that some people to whom you have already rendered great services, on the occasion of the last fire in the prairie, are at this moment surrounded by a band of pirates, who will soon attack them, if they have not already done so.
"We must fly to their assistance!" cried Loyal Heart, with an emotion he could not control.
"Well, that was our intention; but we wished to deliver you first, Loyal Heart. You are the soul of our association; without you we should have done no good."
"Thanks! my friends. But now, you see, I am free, so there is nothing to stop us; let us set forward immediately."
"I crave your pardon," Black Elk replied; "but we have to deal with a strong body. The pirates, who know they have no pity to look for, fight like so many tigers. The more numerous we are, the better will be our chance of success."
"That is true; but what do you aim at?"