CHAPTER IX. THE MARRIAGE. When the two hunters returned to the rancho, Tranquil looked at Loyal Heart. "Well," he said to him, "and what are you going to do?" "Well," the other replied with a smile, "the same as you are going to do yourself, I suppose, sleep--for it is close on two o'clock." But noticing the Canadian's anxious air, he hurriedly added--"Pardon me, friend, I forget that you have made a long journey to find me here, and that, probably, you have important matters to communicate to me. Well! if you do not feel too fatigued, I will rekindle the fire, we will sit down by the brasero, and I will listen to you; I do not feel at all disposed for sleep, and the present hour is admirably adapted for confidence." Tranquil gently shook his head. "I thank you for your kindness, my friend," he said; "but, on reflection, I prefer deferring the conversation till tomorrow; I have no serious motive that compels me to speak at this moment, and a few hours, more or less, will have no influence in the events I have cause to fear." "You know better than I do the conduct best suited to you under the circumstances. I merely repeat that I am quite at your service whatever you may be pleased to do." "Let us sleep," the Canadian answered, with a smile. "Tomorrow, after our visit to Blackbird, we will hold a palaver." "Be it so, my friend, I will not press you; here is your bed," he added, pointing to the pile of furs. "It is rare for me to have so good a one in the desert," said Tranquil. The two men then lay down fraternally side by side, placed their weapons within reach, and ere long the calmness of their breathing indicated that they were asleep. Nothing disturbed the repose they enjoyed, and the night passed quietly. A few minutes before sunrise Loyal Heart awoke; a feeble light was beginning to penetrate into the rancho, through the windows, which had no sheltering or curtains. The hunter rose, and at the moment when he was going to awake his comrade, the latter opened his eyes. "Ah, ah!" Loyal Heart said, "You are a very light sleeper, my friend." "It is an old hunter's habit, which I think I should find it difficult to get rid of, unless I remained a long time with you." "What prevents your doing so? Such a determination would cause great pleasure to my mother and myself." "Do not form plans, my boy; you know that with us wood rangers we can hardly call the present moment our own, and it would be utter madness for us to enter on the future. We will revert to this subject; but now believe we have something more important to attend to." "We have to perform the commission Black-deer entrusted to us; are you still of a mind to help me?" "Certainly: the Chiefs of the tribe received me with too much courtesy for me not to eagerly take the first opportunity that offers to testify to them the lively sympathy I feel for them."