He communicated his intentions in the same guarded manner as before.

The high-spirited and fearless bee-hunter received the intelligence with delight, declaring his readiness to engage the whole of the savage band, should it become necessary to effect their object.
When the old man drew off from the side of this pair also, he cast his eyes about him to discover the situation occupied by the naturalist.
The Doctor, with infinite labour to himself and Asinus, had maintained a position in the very centre of the Siouxes, so long as there existed the smallest reason for believing that any of the missiles of Ishmael might arrive in contact with his person.

After this danger had diminished, or rather disappeared entirely, his own courage revived, while that of his steed began to droop.

To this mutual but very material change was owing the fact, that the rider and the ass were now to be sought among that portion of the band who formed a sort of rear-guard.

Hither, then, the trapper contrived to turn his steed, without exciting the suspicions of any of his subtle companions.
"Friend," commenced the old man, when he found himself in a situation favourable to discourse, "should you like to pass a dozen years among the savages with a shaved head, and a painted countenance, with, perhaps, a couple of wives and five or six children of the half breed, to call you father ?" "Impossible!" exclaimed the startled naturalist.