, and yet a conflict was as
impossible as though twenty miles of the earth's surface lay between
them.

On one side were the Navajoes, with consternation in their looks, for
the warriors had recognised their children. On the other stood the
scalp-hunters, not a few of whom, in the captive train of their enemies,
could distinguish the features of a wife, a sister, or a daughter.

Each gazed upon the other with hostile hearts and glances of revenge.
Had they met thus on the open prairie they would have fought to the
death. It seemed as though the hand of God had interposed to prevent
the ruthless shedding of blood, which, but for the gulf that lay between
these foemen, would certainly have ensued.

I cannot describe how I felt at the moment. I remember that, all at
once, I was inspired with a new vigour both of mind and body. Hitherto
I had been little more than a passive spectator of the events of our
expedition. I had been acting without any stimulating heart-motive; now
I had one that roused me to, a desperate energy.

A thought occurred to me, and I ran up to communicate it. Seguin was
beginning to recover from the terrible blow. The men had learnt the
cause of his strange behaviour, and stood around him, some of them
endeavouring to console him. Few of them knew aught of the family
affairs of their chief, but they had heard of his earlier misfortunes:
the loss of his mine, the ruin of his property, the captivity of his
child. Now, when it became known that among the prisoners of the enemy
were his wife and daughter, even the rude hearts of the hunters were
touched with pity at his more than common sufferings. Compassionate
exclamations were heard from them, mingled with expressions of their
determination to restore the captives or die in the attempt.

It was with the intention of exciting such a feeling that I had come
forward. It was my design, out of my small stock of world's wealth, to
set a premium on devotedness and valour, but I saw that nobler motives
had anticipated me, and I remained silent.

Seguin seemed pleased at the loyalty of his comrades, and began to
exhibit his wonted energy. Hope again had possession of him. The men
clustered round him to offer their advice and listen to his directions.

"We can fight them, capt'n, even-handed," said the trapper Garey. "Thar
ain't over two hundred."

"Jest a hundred and ninety-six," interposed a hunter, "without the
weemen. I've counted them