"Mount, and return to my mother. Assure her of my safety, and then both of you retire to the grotto of Verdigris, where she will be out of all danger. You will remain with her. That grotto is easily found; it is situated at a small distance from the rock of the Dead Buffalo. When you get there, you have nothing to do but to let loose my rastreros, which I will leave you, and they will lead you straight to it. Do you clearly understand me?"
"Perfectly."
"Begone then. Here we are at the camp; your presence is useless here, whilst yonder it is indispensable."
"I am gone!"
"Adieu! we'll meet again."
Nô Eusebio whistled the bloodhounds, which he leashed together; he then, after another shake of the hand with his young master, left the troop, turned to the right, and resumed the way to the forest. The hunters, in the meantime, arrived at the entrance of the glade in which the camp of the Indians was established.
The Comanches formed, a few paces behind the first lines of their camp, a vast semicircle, in the centre of which stood their chiefs.
To do honour to their newly-arrived friends, they had put on their handsomest costumes. They were painted and armed for war.
Loyal Heart halted his troop, and continuing to march on alone, he unfolded a buffalo robe, which he waved before him.
Eagle Head then quitted the other chiefs, and advanced on his part to meet the hunter, also waving a buffalo robe in sign of peace.