"Perfectly. Only, I do not clearly understand how that can serve us." The trapper smiled in a mysterious manner. "Hum!" he said, after a short pause, "these few words will bring to you, in two hours, fifty men, the bravest in the prairies,--men who, at a signal from their leader, would allow themselves to be killed rather than leave you in the hands of those who will have possession of you, if what I expect should happen." There was a moment of silence,--Doña Luz appeared very thoughtful. The trapper smiled. "Do not be surprised at the warm interest I take in you," he said, "a man who has entire power over me, has made me swear to watch over you, during an absence he has been compelled to make." "What do you mean by that?" she said with awakened curiosity. "And who is this man?" "He is a hunter who commands all the white trappers of the prairies. Knowing that you had the Babbler for a guide, he suspects that the half-breed intends to draw you into some snare? "But the name of the man?" she cried, in an anxious, excited tone. "Loyal Heart. Will you have confidence in me now?" "Thanks, my friend, thanks!" the young lady replied, with great emotion. "I will not forget your instructions; and when the moment comes--if unfortunately it should come--I will not hesitate to remind you of your promise." "And you will do well, señorita, because it will then be the only means of safety left you. You understand me perfectly, and all is well. Be sure to keep our conversation to yourself. Above all, do not appear to have any secret understanding with me; that devil of a half-breed is as cunning as a beaver; if he suspect anything, he will slip through your fingers, like the viper he is." "Be satisfied; I will be mute." "Now let us pursue our way to the Beaver Pond. Loyal Heart watches over you." "He has already saved our lives on the occasion of the conflagration of the prairies," she said with emotion. "Ah! ah!" the trapper murmured, fixing his eyes upon her with a singular expression, "everything is for the best, then." And he added in a loud voice: "Be without fear, señorita, if you follow strictly the advice I have given you, no evil will happen to you in the prairies, whatever be the treachery to which you may be exposed." "Oh!" the girl cried, with great warmth, "in the hour of danger I will not hesitate to have recourse to you--I swear I will not!" "That is settled," said the Black Elk, smiling; "now let us go and see the beavers." They resumed their walk, and at the end of a few minutes arrived on the verge of the forest. The trapper then stopped, and making a sign to the young girl to be motionless, turned towards her, and whispered-- "Look!" CHAPTER XV. THE BEAVERS. Doña Luz gently pushed aside the branches of the willows and bending her head forward, she surveyed the scene.