"You have been brought to trial," he replied, "and the law of the prairies is about to be applied to you."
The pirate uttered a terrible, sneering, maniac laugh, and tore his pistols from his belt:—
"Woe be to him who touches me!" he cried, with rage, "give me way!"
"No," the impassive hunter replied, "you are fairly taken, my master; this time you shall not escape me."
"Die then!" cried the pirate, aiming one of his pistols at Loyal Heart.
But, quick as thought, Belhumeur, who had watched his movements closely, threw himself before his friend with a swiftness increased tenfold by the seriousness of the situation.
The shot was fired. The ball struck the Canadian, who fell bathed in his blood.
"One!" cried the pirate, with a ferocious laugh.
"Two!" screamed Eagle Head, and with the bound of a panther, he leaped upon the pirate's horse behind him.
Before the captain could make a movement to defend himself, the Indian seized him with his left hand, by the long hair, of which he formed a tuft, and pulled him backwards violently, with his head downwards.