"Silence!" the latter exclaimed, placing his hand on his mouth; "Silence, in Heaven's name!"
The Scalper was not dead, however; the Jaguar approached him, probably to finish him, but Carmela, who was inspecting his wound, drew herself up like a lioness and repulsed him with horror.
"Back, assassin!" she shrieked.
In spite of himself the young man recoiled, astonished and confounded. Tranquil rushed toward the wounded man, while Loyal Heart took hold of the Jaguar, and speaking gently to him, led him from the spot where White Scalper was writhing in agony. The old man held the maiden's hands in his own, which were already bathed in a death sweat.
"Carmela, poor Carmela!" he said to her, in a broken voice; "Oh, Heaven, what will become of you now that I am dying."
"No, no, it is not possible, you will not die," the girl exclaimed, stifling her sobs.
The old man smiled sadly.
"Alas, poor child!" he had said, "I have but a few moments to live; who will protect you when I am gone?"
"I!" said the hunter, who had come up.
"You!" the wounded man replied; "you, her father?"