Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
. THE RED y
A
. 7 X A IL .
CHAPTER III.

Don Martial gazed at the hunter IN
amazement.
What do you mcan:" he asked him.
Il don't understand you"
You will soon do so, my friend, said
Valentine. How long have you been
roaming about
Nearly two months"
'In that case you are we'll acquainted
/ presume. with these mountains?"
There is not a tree or a rock whose
exact position | cannot tell, nor wild
beast trail which | have not followed"
Good are we far from a spot called
the Fort Of the ChichimequesY
Il know the place to which you refer,
and have often camped there on stormy
nights. because there is a deep cavern,
excavated by human hands, and divided
into several passages, every turning of
which | know"
i was not aware of the existence of
this grotto," the hunter said. with glad
start, land l thank you for having told
me of it. Are we any great distance
from this terrace?'
In a straight line, not more than five
or six miles, and, if it were day. l could
show it to you, but as we must ride round
to reach the caravan road, we have about
three hours ride before u.s."
That is a trife, for l was afraid
had lost my way in these mountains
which are strange to me-"
While saying this. Valentine had risen
to explore the clearing. The storm had
ceased, the wind had swept away the
clouds, the deep blue sky was studded
with brilliant stars, and the moon pro-
fusely shed its rays.
lis a magnificent night" the hunter
said. 1T is past midnight and l feel no
inclination to sleep. Are you fatiguedE'
L am never So" the Tigrero answered
with a smile.
I'm that case, what do you think of a
ride in this magnificent moonlight?
Bravo that is what l call speaking. We
will 60. if you have no objection, as far
as the Fort of the Chichimeques."
/ was about to propose it; and, as we
ride along, you will tell me in your turn
what motive compelled you to come to
these unknown regions"
AS for that" the hunter said, with
smile, Il cannot satisfy you; at any rate
not for the present But be easy, l will
not put your patience to too long trial"
This happy meeting has already made
n different man of me-" the Tigrero said,
as he rose.
The hunter laid his hand on his shout
der. Zone moment" he said to him. be
fore leaving this bivouac let US clearly
agree as to our facts, so as to avoid any
future misunderstanding"
BE it So" Don Martial answered.
Let US make a compact in the Indian
fashion"
well said, my friend" Valentine re-
marked, as he drew his knife from his
belt. Here is my navajo, brother; may
it serve you as it has done me to avenge
your wrongs and mine"
II receive it in the face of that heaven
which / call as witness of the purity of
my Intentions Take mine in exchange,
and onehalf my powder and bullets,
brother"
Il accept it us a thing belonging to
me, and here is half my ammunition for
you henceforth we cannot fire at one
another, all is in common between us.
My horse is yours"
Mine belongs to you, and in a few
moments l will place it at your service"
Then the two men, leaning shoulder to
shoulder, with clasped hands, eyes fixed
on heaven, and outstretched arm, uttered
together the following words:
Il take heaven to witness that of my
own free will, and without reservation, |
take as my friend and brother the man
whose hand is at this moment pressing
mine. l will help him in everything he
asks of me, without hope of reward, ready
by day and night to answer his first sig
nal, without hesitation, and without re-
proach, even if he asked for my life"
There was something grand and solemn
in this simple act, performed by these
two powerful men beneath the pallid
moonbeams. and in the heart of the des
crt, alone far from all human society.
After repeating the words of the oath
they embraced and finally shook hands
Nov let us be off, brother" Valen-
tine said; Il confde in you as in myself !;
we shall succeed in triumphing over our
enemies BY the bye, | must warn you.
brother. thar if you are not mistaken. and
we are really following the road to the
Fort of the Chichimeques we shall prob
ably meet several persons there they are
friends of mine, with whom l have an
appointment and l will introduce them to
YOU"
They set out again. still following the
windings of the track, which gradually
grew sleeper; and, after a very zigzag
course, reached the terrace half an hour
later.
This is certainly the place." the hunt
er exclaimed.
But your friends-?" the Tigrero
asked.
The hunter without speaking discharged
his gun. and at the sound three men APP
pcared, though it was impossible to say
whence they came. They were Belhumeur.
Black Elk and Eagle-head.