Winnetou strode past him without looking at him, and led me to the stakes to which my three comrades were bound.
“Hallelujah!” cried Sam. “We are saved! Man, youngster, tenderfoot, how did you do it?”
Winnetou gave me his knife. “Cut their bonds,” he said. “You deserve to do it yourself.”
I did so. As soon as they were free they threw themselves on me, and took me in their arms, hugging me till I was actually hurt. Sam even kissed my hand, with tears dropping into his beard. “My dear boy,” he said, “if ever I forget you, may the first grizzly I meet devour me skin and hair! How did you do this? You were so afraid of the water, and everybody thought you were drowned.”
“Did I not tell you that if I were drowned we were saved?”
“Did Old Shatterhand say this before the contest?” asked Winnetou. “Was it then all planned beforehand?”
“Yes,” I nodded.
“My brother knew what he would do. My brother is not only as strong as a bear, but as cunning as the fox of the prairie. Whoso is his enemy must be on his guard.”
“And is Winnetou such an enemy?”
“I was, but am no longer.”