"I should think so. But tell me, old hunter, have you consulted with our friend on the matter that brings me here?" "Not yet: various reasons urged me to wait for a favourable moment." "As you please; but you know the matter is pressing." "I know it, and you can trust to me." "Oh! I leave you to act entirely as you please. What are we to do now?" "Nothing but mount our horses, and wait till Loyal Heart comes to fetch us. He has undertaken the management of the ceremony." "Well, that is not very difficult," the American said, with a laugh. In an instant the hunters were up, performed their ablutions, and saddled their horses. They had scarce mounted, ere a great noise of shells, drums, and chichikouès, mingled with shouts of joy, shots, and the sharp barking of all the dogs in the village, announced the arrival of Loyal Heart. The young Chief advanced at the head of a numerous procession of Indian warriors, dressed in their most magnificent costumes, armed and painted for war, and mounted on superb mustangs, which they caused to curvet with marks of the most lively delight. The procession halted before the calli. "Well," Loyal Heart asked, "are you ready?" "We are waiting for you," Tranquil answered. "Come on, then." The five hunters placed themselves by the side of their friend, and the procession started once more. The Indians saw with a lively feeling of pleasure the strange hunters join them; the part Loyal Heart and Tranquil took in the ceremony especially caused them great joy, and inspired them with considerable pride, by proving to them that their Paleface friends, far from despising their customs, or displaying an indifference towards them, took an interest in the ceremony, and evidenced their sympathy with the Comanches by accepting a place in the procession. Loyal Heart proceeded straight to Blackbird's calli, in front of which a fire had been lighted, and the Chief's family were seated silent and motionless round it. Blackbird, dressed in his grand warpaint, and mounted on his battle charger, rode at the head of some twenty warriors of his family, whom it was easy to recognize as renowned warriors and great braves by the numerous wolf tails with which their heels were adorned. At the moment when the procession reached the great square, a solitary horseman, with a gloomy air and haughty demeanour, was crossing it, and proceeding toward the council lodge. It was Blue-fox. At the sight of the procession a smile of undefinable meaning played round his lips, and he halted to let the Comanche warriors defile before him. Tranquil whispered to Loyal Heart-- "Be on your guard against that man; if I am not greatly mistaken, his mission is only a trap, and he meditates some treachery." "That is my notion too," the hunter replied; "that gloomy face forebodes nothing good; but the council are warned, and watch him closely."