Without awaiting the count's answer, the adventurer dismounted, slipped into the bushes, and disappeared, ere the other had entirely recovered from the amazement the discovery of this Indian sign caused him. As always happens under such circumstances, in the hour of danger, the Canadian adventurer, owing to his thorough acquaintance with Indian habits, instantaneously became the most important man of the party. The count and the soldiers composing his escort, though very brave in the presence of civilized enemies, had an instinctive terror of savages, which, in the probable event of a struggle, would inevitably entail their ruin, had they not had with them a man in whose experience and fidelity they placed entire confidence. This confidence the adventurer, whom that same morning they had regarded not only as a stranger, but almost as an enemy, had managed to obtain in a few hours; as for his experience, he had just furnished a proof, which removed any doubt. Hence the Spaniards were resolved to follow his advice, and obey without discussion the orders he thought proper to give them, as they were persuaded that their safety would depend solely on their docility, and the rapidity of their movements. The Canadian's absence was not longer than he had stated: he suddenly reappeared among the travellers before they had seen or heard him coming. "Well," the count asked him eagerly, "what news? Were you mistaken?" The adventurer burst into a mocking laugh. "I mistaken! Hang me if that is possible," he said. "Then, we are pursued by Indians?" "Pursued and preceded; we are literally between two fires." The Spaniards felt a shudder run over them on hearing this. "Are they numerous?" the count continued. "No, there are only a few warriors; the weakness of our party is known, and a large display of strength was considered useless." "In that case, then, you think we have a chance?" "Men have one always, when they do not give in," the Canadian replied sententiously. "How many are there, at a guess?" "I will give you their exact number, for I have counted them to the last man. The first detachment, the one ambushed behind us, has only twelve men." "What," the count exclaimed, "do you not consider that large odds?" "Hang it," the Canadian said simply, "you do not reflect that we are seven palefaces." The count shook his head, feeling but little convinced by such reasoning. "Go on," he said; "and the second detachment, the one ahead of us?" "That is more numerous: it is composed of nineteen warriors, among whom I recognized several picked braves, from the wolf tails they wore on their heels." "¡Caramba!" the count exclaimed with ill-disguised terror, "Thirty-one warriors in all, and yet you do not consider them too many for seven men!"