"My rancho is a few paces from this spot," said he to the general; "if the señorita is inclined to taste the well-seasoned hump of a buffalo, I am in a position to offer her that piece of politeness." "I thank you, caballero," the young lady replied, with a smile; "but I confess that at this moment I stand in more need of repose than anything else." "Everything will come in its time," the trapper said sententiously. "Permit me, for a few moments, to take the place of your guide." "We are at your orders," said the general; "go on, we will follow you." "Forward! then," said the trapper, placing himself at the head of the little troop. At this moment his eyes fell by chance upon the guide--his thick eyebrows contracted. "Hum!" he muttered to himself, "what does this mean? We shall see," he added. And without taking further notice of the man, without appearing to recognise him, he gave the signal for departure. After riding for some time silently along the banks of a moderately wide rivulet, the trapper made a sharp turn, and departing from the stream suddenly, plunged again into the forest. "I crave your pardon," he said, "for making you turn out of your way; but this is a beaver pond, and I do not wish to frighten them." "Oh!" the young lady cried, "how delighted I should be to see those industrious animals at work!" The trapper stopped. "Nothing more easy, señorita," he said, "if you will follow me, while your companions remain here, and wait for us." "Yes, yes!" Doña Luz replied eagerly; but checking herself all at once, added, "Oh, pardon me, dear uncle." The general cast a look at the trapper. "Go, my child," he said, "we will wait for you here." "Thank you, uncle," the young girl remarked joyfully, as she leaped from her horse. "I will be answerable for her," the trapper said frankly; "fear nothing." "I fear nothing when trusting her to your care, my friend," the general replied. "Thanks!" And making a sign to Doña Luz, Black Elk disappeared with her among the bushes and trees. When they had gone some distance, the trapper stopped. After listening and looking around him on all sides, he stooped towards the young girl, and laying his hand lightly on her right arm, said,-- "Listen!" Doña Luz stood still, uneasy and trembling. The trapper perceived her agitation. "Be not afraid," he rejoined; "I am an honest man; you are in as much safety here alone with me in this desert as if you were in the Cathedral of Mexico, at the foot of the high altar." The young girl cast a furtive glance at the trapper. In spite of his singular costume, his face wore such an expression of frankness, his eye was so soft and limpid, when fixed upon her, that she felt completely reassured. "Speak," she said. "You belong," the trapper resumed, "I perceive now, to that party of strangers who, for some days past, have been exploring the prairies in every direction. Do you not?" "Yes."