nity, and
as though I did not wish to be disturbed in my meditations, I raised my
hand and waved the man a parting salute: at the same time turning my
head, I walked slowly away.

The Indian accepted the _conge_, and moved off, but evidently with an
air of reluctance. As I glanced back over my shoulder, I could see him
parting from the spot, with a hesitating step; no doubt somewhat
astonished at the strange behaviour of his friend Wakono.

I did not look back again until I had placed myself under the shadow of
the timber. Then I turned to reconnoitre; my friend had continued on: I
saw him just entering among the crowd that circled around the great
fire.

Screened from observation by the shadow, I could now pause and reflect.
The trifling incident that had caused me some apprehension, had also
helped me to some useful knowledge: First, I had learned my own name;
second, that a council was about to take place; and thirdly, that the
renegade, Hissoo-royo, had something to do with the council.

This was knowledge of importance; combined with my previous information,
everything was now made clear. This council could be no other than the
jury-trial between the renegade and the yet nameless chief; the same
that was to decide to which belonged the right of property in my
betrothed. It was about to meet; it had not assembled as yet. Then had
I arrived in time. Neither white savage nor red savage had yet come
into possession; neither had dared to lay hand on the coveted and
priceless gem.

Isolina was still safe--thus singularly preserved from brutal contact.
These dogs in the manger--their mutual jealousy had proved her
protection!

I was consoled by the thought--strange source of consolation!

I was in time, but where was she? From my new position I had a still
better view of the camp, its fires, and its denizens. She was nowhere
to be seen!

"In the lodge, then--she must certainly be there--or--"

A new suspicion occurred to me: "She may be kept apart from the other
captives?--in the copse--she may be concealed in the copse until the
sentence be pronounced?"

This last conjecture brought along with it hopes and resolves. I
determined to search the copse. If I should find her there, my emprise
would be easy indeed; at all events, easier than I had anticipated.
Though guarded by the savages, I should rescue her from their grasp.
The lives of six men--perhaps twice that number--were under my belt.
The odd