"We have," Tranquil continued, "to cheat the cheater, and play at diamond cut diamond with him; you understand me?" "Perfectly. Go on." "Very good. Return to Blue-fox," "What?" "Are you afraid?" "Not exactly; but I fancy he may proceed to extremities with me." "That is a risk to be run." "Well, be it so," he exclaimed resolutely, "I will run it." The Canadian looked fixedly at him. "That will do," he said to him. "Here, take these, and, at any rate, if you are attacked, you will not die unavenged." And he put a brace of pistols in his hand. The monk examined them attentively for a moment, turning them over so as to assure himself that they were in good state, then he hid them under his gown with a start of joy. "I fear nothing now," he said; "I am going." "Still I must explain to you----" "For what good purpose?" the monk interrupted him. "I will tell Blue-fox that you consent to have an interview with him; but, as you do not care to go alone to his camp, you prefer seeing him without witnesses in the middle of the prairie." "That will do, and you will bring him with you to the spot where I shall be waiting." "I will try, at any rate." "That is what I mean." "But where will you wait for him?" "On the skirt of the forest." "All right." "One parting hint." "Out with it." "Keep a few paces from the Chief, not before or behind, but on his right hand, if possible." "Very good; I understand." "Well, I trust you will succeed." "Oh, now I fear nothing, as I am armed." After uttering these words, the monk rose and walked away with a quick and firm step. The Canadian looked after him for some time. "Is he a traitor?" he muttered. "I do not think so," Loyal Heart answered. "May Heaven grant it!" "What is your plan?" "It is simple: we can only triumph over the enemies who surround us by stratagem; hence, that is the only thing I intend employing. We must escape from these red demons at all hazards." "That is true. But, when we have succeeded in throwing them out, where shall we go?" "We must not dream, in the present excited state of the country, of making a long journey across the desert with two females; it would be running certain ruin." "That is true; but what can we do?" "It is my intention to proceed to the Larch-tree hacienda. There, I fancy, my daughter will obtain the best protection for the present." "Permit me to remind you that yourself refused to have recourse to that." "That is true; hence I only resolve on it when in a fix. As for you----" "Oh, I will accompany you," Loyal Heart quickly interrupted him. "Thanks," the Canadian exclaimed, warmly. "Still, in spite of all the pleasure your generous offer occasions me, I cannot accept it." "Why not?" "Because the nation which had adopted you claims your help, and you cannot refuse it." "It will wait; besides, Black-deer will make my excuses." "No," the Chief said, distinctly; "I will not leave my Pale friends in danger."