This man was Eagle Head.
He was a silent spectator of the embarkation of the two whites, saw them enter the grotto, and then, in his turn, disappeared in the shade of the woods, after muttering to himself in a low voice the word—
"Och!" (good) the highest expression of joy in the language of the Comanches.
The doctor had plainly only served as a bait to attract the pirate, and cause him to fall into the snare laid by the Indian chief.
Now, had the worthy savant any secret intelligence with Eagle Head? That is what we shall soon know.
On the morrow, at daybreak, the pirate ordered a close battue to be made in the environs of the grotto; but no track existed.
The captain rubbed his hands with joy; his expedition had doubly succeeded, since he had managed to return to his cavern without being followed.
Certain of having nothing to dread, he was unwilling to keep about him so many men in a state of inactivity; placing, therefore, his troop provisionally under the command of Frank, a veteran bandit, in whom he had perfect confidence, he only retained ten chosen men with him, and sent away the rest.
Although the affair he was now engaged in was interesting, and his success appeared certain, he was not, on that account, willing to neglect his other occupations, and maintain a score of bandits in idleness, who might, at any moment, from merely having nothing else to do, play him an ugly turn.
It is evident that the captain was not only a prudent man, but was thoroughly acquainted with his honourable associates.