"But it will be a difficult matter to draw her out of the camp alone." "That's your affair." "I should prefer giving them all up in a lump." "Go to the devil! What could I do with them?" "Hum! what will the general say?" "What he likes; that is nothing to me. Yes or no--do you accept the offer I make you?" "Oh! I accept it." "Do you swear to be faithful to your engagements?" "I swear." "Now then, how long does the general reckon upon remaining in this new encampment?" "Ten days." "Why, then, did you tell me that you did not know how to draw the young girl out, having so much time before you?" "Hum! I did not know when you would require her to be delivered up to you?" "That's true. Well, I give you nine days; that is to say, on the eve of their departure the young girl must be given up to me." "Oh! in that way----" "Then that arrangement suits you?" "It could not be better." "Is it agreed?" "Irrevocably." "Here, then, Babbler," said the captain, giving the guide a magnificent diamond pin which he wore in his hunting shirt, "here is my earnest." "Oh!" the bandit exclaimed, seizing the jewel joyfully. "That pin," said the captain, "is a present I make you in addition to the eight thousand dollars I will hand over to you on receiving Doña Luz." "You are noble and generous, captain," said the guide; "it is a pleasure to serve you." "Still," the captain rejoined, in a rough voice, and with a look cold as a steel blade, "I would have you remember I am called he who kills; and that if you deceive me, there does not exist in the prairie a place sufficiently strong or sufficiently unknown to protect you from the terrible effects of my vengeance. "I know that, captain," said the half-breed, shuddering in spite of himself; "but you may be quite satisfied I will not deceive you." "I hope you will not! Now let us separate; your absence may be observed. In nine days I shall be here." "In nine days I will place the girl in your hands." After these words the guide returned to the camp, which he entered without being seen. As soon as they were alone, the two men with whom the Babbler had just made this hideous and strange bargain, retreated silently among the underwood, through which they crawled like serpents. They soon reached the banks of a little rivulet which ran, unperceived and unknown, through the forest. Kennedy whistled in a certain fashion twice. A slight noise was heard, and a horseman, holding two horses in hand, appeared at a few paces from the spot where they had stopped. "Come on, Frank," said Kennedy, "you may approach without fear." The horsemen immediately advanced. "What is there new?" Kennedy asked. "Nothing very important," the horseman replied. "I have discovered an Indian trail." "Ah! ah!" said the captain, "numerous?" "Rather so." "In what direction?" "It cuts the prairie from east to west." "Well done, Frank, and who are these Indians?" "As well as I can make out, they are Comanches."