was pleased. How could he
be otherwise? He had certainly the best of the suit--for what was a
beautiful horse to a beautiful woman, and such a woman?

Even the white-haired chief seemed satisfied! Perhaps, of the two, the
old savage jockey preferred the horse? It might have been different had
Wakono been upon the ground. I was much mistaken if he would so tamely
have acquiesced in the decision.

Yes, the renegade was satisfied--more than that, he was rejoiced. His
bearing bespoke his consciousness of the possession of a rare and
much-coveted thing. He was unable to conceal the gratification he felt;
and with an air of triumph and exultation, he approached the spot where
the captive sat.

As soon as the sentence was pronounced, the Indians who had been seated
rose to their feet. The council was dismissed.

Some of the members strolled off on their own business; others remained
by the great fire, mixing among their comrades--no longer with the
solemn gravity of councillors, but chatting, laughing, shouting, and
gesticulating as glibly and gaily as if they had been an assemblage of
French dancing-masters.

The trial and its objects appeared to be at once forgotten; neither
plaintiff, defendant, nor cause, seemed any longer to occupy the
thoughts of any one. The horse had been delivered to a friend of
Wakono--the maiden to Hissoo-royo--and the thing was settled and over.

Perhaps, here and there, some young brave, with a pain in his heart, may
have bent wistful glances upon the lovely captive. No doubt there were
many who looked with envious thoughts upon Hissoo-royo and his fortunes.
If so, their emotions were concealed, their glances furtive.

After the council was over, no one interfered--no one seemingly took any
interest either in the renegade or his pale-faced squaw; they were left
to themselves.

And to me. From that moment, my eyes and thoughts rested only on them;
I saw no one else; I thought of nothing else; I watched but the "wolf"
and his victim.

The old chief had retired into the tent. Isolina was left alone.

Only a moment alone. Had it been otherwise, I should have sprung
forward. My fingers had moved mechanically towards my knife; but there
was not time. In the next instant, Hissoo-royo stood beside her.

He addressed her in Spanish; he did not desire the others to understand
what was said. Speaking in this language, there would be less fear of
them doing so.

There was one wh