In spite of his statue-like immobility, the eye of the chief sparkled, his nostrils expanded, and he lifted his right arm mechanically, as if to impose silence upon his warriors.
"We are scented," Loyal Heart murmured, in a voice so low that his companion could hardly hear it.
"What is to be done?" Belhumeur replied.
"Act," said the trapper, laconically.
Both then glided silently from branch to branch, from tree to tree, without touching the ground, till they reached the opposite side of the camp, just above the place where the horses of the Comanches were hobbled to graze.
Belhumeur descended softly, and cut the thongs that held them; and the horses, excited by the whips of the hunters, rushed out, neighing and kicking in all directions.
The Indians rose in disorder, and hastened, with loud cries, in pursuit of their horses.
Eagle Head alone, as if he had guessed the spot where his enemies were in ambush, directed his steps straight towards them, screening himself as much as possible behind the trees which he passed.
The hunters drew back, step by step, looking carefully round them, so as not to allow themselves to be encompassed.
The cries of the Indians grew fainter in the distance; they were all in eager pursuit of their horses.