"Yes!" she said rising resolutely. Eagle Head could not repress a gesture of admiration. Indians consider courage as the first of virtues. "Come, then," he said. The prisoner followed him with a firm step--all her strength was restored, she was at length going to die! The chief led her to the stake of blood, to which she was bound a second time; before her they piled up the faggots of green wood, and at a signal from Eagle Head, they were set on fire. The fire did not for some time take, on account of the moisture of the wood, which discharged clouds of smoke; but, after a few moments, the flame sparkled, extended by degrees, and then acquired great intensity. The unfortunate woman could not suppress a cry of terror. At that moment a horseman dashed at full speed into the midst of the camp; at a bound he was on the ground, and before anyone could have opposed him, he tore away the burning wood from the pile, and cut the bonds of the victim. "Oh! why have you come?" the poor mother murmured, sinking into his arms. "My mother! ho, pardon me!" Loyal Heart cried, "my God! how you must have suffered." "Begone, begone, Rafaël!" she repeated, smothering him with kisses; "leave me to die in your place; ought not a mother to give her life for her child?" "Oh do not speak so, my mother! you will drive me mad," said the young man, clasping her in his arms with despair. By this time the emotion caused by the sudden appearance of Loyal Heart had subsided, the Indian warriors had recovered that stoicism which they affect under all circumstances. Eagle Head advanced towards the hunter. "My brother is welcome," he said, "I had given over expecting him." "I am here; it was impossible to arrive sooner; my mother is free, I suppose?" "She is free." "She may go where she pleases?" "Where she pleases." "No," said the prisoner, placing herself resolutely in front of the Indian chief, "it is too late, it is I who am to suffer; my son has no right to take my place." "Dear mother, what are you saying?" "That which is just," she replied with animation; "the time at which you were to have come is past, you have no right to be here to prevent my death. Begone, begone, Rafaël, I implore you!--Leave me to die to save you," she added, bursting into tears and throwing herself into his arms. "My mother," the young man replied, returning her caresses, "your love for me misleads you; I cannot allow such a crime to be accomplished, I alone ought to be here." "My God! my God!" the poor mother exclaimed, sobbing, "he will not understand anything! I should be so happy to die for him." Overcome by emotions too powerful for nature, the poor mother sunk fainting into the arms of her son. Loyal Heart impressed a long and tender kiss upon her brow, and placing her in the hands of Nô Eusebio, who had arrived some minutes before: said in a voice choked with grief. "Begone, poor mother, may she be happy, if happiness can exist for her without her child."