"God grant we may not owe their return among us to a similar cause." The captain came up to pay the compliments of the morning. "Well, captain," said the general, with a smile, "have you recovered from the effects of their alarm?" "Perfectly, general," the young man replied, "and are quite ready to proceed, whenever you please to give the order." "After breakfast we will strike tents; have the goodness to give the necessary orders to the lancers, and send the Babbler to me." The captain bowed and retired. "On your part, niece," the general continued, addressing Doña Luz, "superintend the preparations for breakfast, if you please, whilst I talk to our guide." The young lady tripped away, and the Babbler almost immediately entered. His air was dull, and his manner more reserved than usual. The general took no notice of this. "You remember," he said, "that you yesterday manifested an intention of finding a spot where we might conveniently encamp for a few days?" "Yes, general." "You told me you were acquainted with a situation that would perfectly suit our purpose?" "Yes, general." "Are you prepared to conduct us thither?" "When you please." "What time will it require to gain this spot?" "Two days." "Very well. We will set out, then, immediately after breakfast." The Babbler bowed without reply. "By the way," the general said, with feigned indifference, "one of your men seems to be missing." "Yes." "What is become of him?" "I do not know." "How! you do not know?" said the general, with a scrutinizing glance. "No: as soon as he saw the fire, terror seized him, and he escaped." "Very well!" "He is most probably the victim of his cowardice." "What do you mean by that?" "The fire, most likely, has devoured him." "Poor devil!" A sardonic smile curled the lips of the guide. "Have you anything more to say to me, general?" "No;--but stop." "I attend your orders." "Do you know the two hunters who rendered us such timely service?" "We all know each other in the prairie." "What are those men?" "Hunters and trappers." "That is not what I ask you." "What then?" "I mean as to their character." "Oh!" said the guide, with an appearance of displeasure. "Yes, their moral character." "I don't know anything much about them." "What are their names?" "Belhumeur and Loyal Heart." "And you know nothing of their lives?" "Nothing." "That will do--you may retire." The guide bowed, and with tardy steps rejoined his companions, who were preparing for departure. "Hum!" the general murmured, as he looked after him, "I must keep a watch upon that fellow; there is something sinister in his manner." After this aside, the general entered his tent, where the doctor, the captain, and Doña Luz were waiting breakfast for him.