The shame of being foiled by two men who audaciously braved them in the middle of their own camp, made the hearts of the Comanches burn with anger. They were sensible of the impossibility of contending with their desperate adversaries. In fact, what could they do against these intrepid wood rangers, who reckoned life as nothing? Kill them? But, in falling, they would slaughter without pity the prisoners whom the Comanches were anxious to save. The most strongly developed feeling among redskins is love of family. For the sake of his children or his wife, the fiercest warrior would not hesitate to make concessions which the most frightful tortures, under other circumstances, could not force from him. Thus, at the sight of his wife and child fallen into the power of Belhumeur, Eagle Head only thought of their safety. Of all men, Indians are perhaps those who know how to bend with the greatest facility to the exigencies of an unforeseen situation. The Comanche chief concealed in the depths of his heart the hatred and anger which devoured him. With a movement full of nobleness and disinterestedness, he threw back the blanket which served him as a cloak, and with a calm countenance and a smile on his lips, he approached the hunters. The latter, long accustomed to the mode of action of the redskins, remained in appearance impassible, awaiting the result of their bold _coup de main._ "My pale brothers," the chief said, "are full of wisdom, though their hair is black; they are acquainted with all the stratagems familiar to great warriors; they have the cunning of the beaver and the courage of the lion." The two men bowed in silence, and Eagle Head continued,-- "As my brother Loyal Heart is in the camp of the Comanches of the great lakes, the hour has at length arrived for dispersing the clouds which have arisen between him and the redskins. Loyal Heart is just; let him explain himself without fear; he is in the presence of renowned chiefs, who will not hesitate to acknowledge their wrongs, if they have any towards him." "Oh! oh!" the Canadian replied with a sneer; "Eagle Head has quickly changed his sentiments with respect to us; does he believe he can deceive us with vain words?" A flash of hatred sparkled in the savage eye of the Indian; but, with an extraordinary effort, he succeeded in restraining himself. Suddenly a man stepped between the interlocutors. This man was Eshis, the most highly venerated warrior of the tribe. The old man slowly raised his arm. "Let my children listen to me," he said; "everything should be cleared up today; the pale hunters will smoke the calumet in council." "Be it so," said Loyal Heart. Upon a signal from the Sun the principal chiefs of the tribe came and ranged themselves around him. Belhumeur had not changed his position; he was ready, at the slightest doubtful gesture, to sacrifice his prisoners.