They bowed ceremoniously to Clinton, who renewed the invitation given by Charbonneau; and then alighting, the wounded man was carried by Bright-eye and Oliver to the best bedroom, placed on the master's own couch, and at once attended to by one of the domestics, who knew something of medicine. "What a disagreeable face!" murmured Oliver. "He does not look pleasant," said Bright-eye. "'Tis the face of a traitor," said the Indian chief, sententiously; "he should have been allowed to die." "Hum!" cried Keen-hand; "There are others of my opinion." "Let my brother watch carefully," remarked the Indian. "Be not uneasy," smiled Charbonneau. "In my opinion," said Bright-eye, "this man is one of the outlaws of the desert. I have seen him somewhere before. I must not only think over the matter, but put the master of the house on his guard." Meanwhile the four men rejoined Clinton and Samuel Dickson in the drawing room, where copious refreshments awaited them. CHAPTER X. WHO THE STRANGER WAS. As soon as the farmer had taken some slight refreshment and assured himself as to the comfortable position in which he was placed, he took his leave. The day was far advanced, and he had to meet his brother on a matter of business. On leaving George, the squatter bent low on his horse, and after one last glance at the hut: "Beware, my friend," he said, "of the wounded man. I think him an unmitigated rascal. Get rid of him." "I will take your advice. I do not like him myself, and as soon as he can travel he shall surely go." And, after mutual promises to meet again, the two friends parted, and Samuel rode off in hot haste. George watched him until he was quite out of sight. He then sighed. The departure of Samuel had broken the last link between the charming events of the morning and the more matter-of-fact events of the evening. He now gloomily turned on his heel, and found himself face to face with the three travellers accompanied by Keen-hand. "You are not going?" he cried. "No," answered Bright-eye; "on the contrary, if you will allow us, we intend remaining some little time." "You will give me great satisfaction," continued Clinton, "use my house entirely as your own." The hunters bowed courteously. "We have come to meet you," said Oliver, "because, having something to say, we prefer the open air." "Yes," continued Bright-eye, "though the wounded man whom you have so generously entertained is as yet incapable of listening, your servants--" "Are discreet and devoted," observed Clinton. "We know that, and have taken no precautions against them." "You would have been very unwise to do so. Morris and Stephen knew me from my birth. They love me as if I were a child of their own. I have no secrets from them and should be sorry to wound their feelings." "I was prepared for that objection," said Keen-hand, "and was therefore careful to warn them."