As resistance was impossible, the worthy man did as he was bidden with a good grace--with so good a grace, even, that for a second he allowed a smile to stray across his lips, which would have aroused the suspicions of the pirate if he had perceived it. The captain commanded the _savant_ to walk on before him, and both thus reached the river. At the instant they quitted the place where this conversation, had taken place, the branches of a bush parted slowly, and a head, shaved with the exception of a long tuft of hair at the top, on which was stuck an eagle's feather, appeared, then a body, and then an entire man, who bounded like a jaguar in pursuit of them. This man was Eagle Head. He was a silent spectator of the embarkation of the two whites, saw them enter the grotto, and then, in his turn, disappeared in the shade of the woods, after muttering to himself in a low voice the word-- "_Och!_" (good) the highest expression of joy in the language of the Comanches. The doctor had plainly only served as a bait to attract the pirate, and cause him to fall into the snare laid by the Indian chief. Now, had the worthy _savant_ any secret intelligence with Eagle Head? That is what we shall soon know. On the morrow, at daybreak, the pirate ordered a close battue to be made in the environs of the grotto; but no track existed. The captain rubbed his hands with joy; his expedition had doubly succeeded, since he had managed to return to his cavern without being followed. Certain of having nothing to dread, he was unwilling to keep about him so many men in a state of inactivity; placing, therefore, his troop provisionally under the command of Frank, a veteran bandit, in whom he had perfect confidence, he only retained ten chosen men with him, and sent away the rest. Although the affair he was now engaged in was interesting, and his success appeared certain, he was not, on that account, willing to neglect his other occupations, and maintain a score of bandits in idleness, who might, at any moment, from merely having nothing else to do, play him an ugly turn. It is evident that the captain was not only a prudent man, but was thoroughly acquainted with his honourable associates. When the pirates had left the grotto, the captain made a sign to the doctor to follow him, and conducted him to the general. After having introduced them to each other with that ironical politeness in which he was such a master, the bandit retired, leaving them together. Only before he departed, the captain drew a pistol from his belt, and clapping it to the breast of the _savant_-- "Although you may be half a madman," he said, "as you may, nevertheless, have some desire to betray me, observe this well, my dear sir; at the least equivocal proceeding that I see you attempt, I will blow your brains out; you are warned, so now act as you think proper." And replacing his pistol in his belt, he retired with one of his eloquent sneers on his lips.