"Maria! it is I--I, Leon, who has come to save you--"
"Silence," said the smuggler; "perhaps he is listening."
Inez was awake, and looking at this scene, whose meaning escaped her.
"You, Leon?" Maria at length said, as she cast her arms round the young man's neck. "Oh, thank heaven! thanks!"
"For mercy's sake, listen to me! The moments are precious."
"Oh! take me away, if you love me! Take me away at once!"
"Oh, sir," Inez said, in her turn, "save me, and my father will reward you."
Leon smiled, and looked at Maria, who raised to him her lovely eyes, radiant with joy and love.
"My father--where is he?" she asked him. "My sister reminds me that we left him in the midst of the contest."
Footsteps were heard approaching the room in which the young people were assembled.
"Someone is coming," said Leon; "take care."
"I shall return. Once again, hope and patience."
"Leon, if you do not save us, we shall die."
"Oh yes, Señor Captain, have pity on us," Inez added.
Maria's curls grazed Leon's lips, who felt his soul pass away in the kiss which he gave them.
"Whatever happens, whatever you may hear, trust in me, for I am watching."
The footsteps had stopped after drawing nearer still; Leon opened the door, and without uttering a syllable, passed before the Sayotkatta, displaying marks of the greatest agitation, and ran toward the vestibule, making incomprehensible gestures. The maidens asked themselves whether they were not the sport of a dream, while the Sayotkatta was dumb with surprise.
Closing the door again, he followed Leon, but as if he did not dare approach him. At the moment when he entered the room in which Meli-Antou and Tcharanguii were waiting, Leon had rejoined the latter, and still seemed possessed by thought which absorbed him.
"Well, brother?" the two Indians said. "Speak," the Sayotkatta added; "what is the matter with you?"
"The sons of Chemiin must arm themselves with courage," Leon slowly answered.
"What does my son mean?" the old man resumed.
"Mayoba has seized on these women, and from this night the evil spirit will smite all those who approach them; for the learning which Gualichu has given me has enabled me to assure myself of the malign influences which they can exert."