Summary : LES PIRATES DES PRAIRIES

The chapter opens with a sweeping depiction of the Far West prairies, presenting them as an immense, almost boundless ocean of vegetation where beauty and danger coexist. The landscape is described as vast green plains dotted with rivers, gradually revealing hills, cliffs, and countless hidden irregularities. A dense and chaotic flora flourishes, with enormous trees, palms, cacti, vines, and flowers of striking colors. This abundance of life extends to the animal kingdom, where countless species coexist in a constant struggle for survival: deer, bison, wild horses, predators such as pumas, jaguars, bears, and snakes, as well as a rich variety of birds filling the air. The Indians are portrayed as masters of this wilderness, moving with agility and confidence through the terrain, hunting and surviving where European settlers would perish. The text emphasizes the brutal law of the desert: isolation means death, and survival depends on weapons, knowledge, and resilience. The narrative then shifts to a specific moment in this wilderness, where a man known as Cèdre-Rouge emerges exhausted from dense vegetation along the Rio Gila. He is alone, without food, weapons, or supplies, accompanied only by his loyal dog. A seasoned woodsman, he nevertheless finds himself in an unprecedented situation of vulnerability. The absence of tools and companionship leaves him psychologically and physically weakened, and he begins a desperate struggle for survival. He wanders aimlessly through the prairie under extreme heat, observing animals that no longer fear him. Hunger and exhaustion intensify until he collapses, forced to survive on whatever nature provides. Eventually, he discovers edible roots resembling yuca, which temporarily restore his strength. While continuing his journey, he notices an unusual patch of grass that suggests the presence of a hidden cache. Recognizing the signs from his experience as a frontier hunter, he becomes convinced that supplies may be buried underground. Driven by hope, he begins carefully excavating the site with his knife, enduring physical exhaustion and growing despair as the search initially yields nothing. However, persistence leads him to uncover a buried hide covering a cache. Overcome with emotion, he reveals its contents: weapons, ammunition, hunting tools, and essential equipment left by other trappers. The discovery transforms his situation completely, restoring his confidence and survival capabilities. He equips himself with rifles, pistols, powder, and supplies, while leaving the cache largely intact and concealed again according to frontier custom. Regaining his identity as a capable hunter, he prepares to continue his journey with renewed strength and determination, reflecting on his near-death experience and the harshness of the wilderness. The chapter closes by recalling that Cèdre-Rouge had previously been leading a larger group before being isolated in the prairie, raising the question of how he came to be alone in such a desperate situation

Two months have passed since the last events, and the narrative opens with a vast depiction of the Far West as an immense, untamed wilderness of prairies stretching endlessly under the sky. This region is presented as both sublime and terrifying, where nature unfolds in overwhelming abundance and complexity. The landscape is described as a vast green ocean filled with rivers, hills, and dense vegetation that initially appears uniform but gradually reveals subtle variations and hidden structures. The flora is portrayed with extraordinary richness: towering trees such as acajou, palms, and banana trees coexist with cacti, vines, and flowering plants, while the ground is covered in vast fields of brightly colored blossoms and tangled vegetation. This chaotic fertility creates a sense of both beauty and disorientation, emphasizing nature’s uncontrollable force. The fauna is equally diverse and vividly depicted. Herbivores such as deer, elk, bison, and wild horses move across the plains, while predators including pumas, jaguars, bears, and wolves stalk them. Reptiles and amphibians populate the undergrowth, from venomous snakes to camouflaged lizards and massive boas. The skies are filled with birds ranging from small songbirds to large predators like eagles and vultures. This ecosystem is presented as a constant struggle for survival, governed by instinct, predation, and relentless competition. Within this environment, Indigenous peoples are introduced as the true masters of the wilderness. Skilled, agile, and deeply adapted to the terrain, they move with confidence through the prairies, hunting and navigating dangers that would overwhelm outsiders. However, their domain is under pressure from expanding European civilization, suggesting an impending conflict between two worlds. The narrative then shifts to a specific moment along the Rio Gila, where a lone man emerges from dense vegetation in a state of exhaustion and despair. This man, known as Cèdre-Rouge, is revealed to be a seasoned frontiersman or squatter, yet he now finds himself in an unprecedented situation: completely alone, without food, weapons, or supplies. Even his survival tools, such as a rifle and horse, are absent. His only companion is a loyal dog. In the hostile wilderness, such deprivation places him in immediate mortal danger, as isolation in the Far West is equated with death. Despite his experience in surviving harsh conditions, he is psychologically shaken by the absence of human contact and material support, confronting the overwhelming scale of nature and his own vulnerability. He begins a desperate journey through the prairie, moving without clear direction, enduring hunger, exhaustion, and constant exposure to danger. Wildlife surrounds him, yet no longer reacts with fear, emphasizing his weakened state. As night falls, he is forced to sleep in a tree for protection against predators, suffering an agonizing night filled with fear and hallucination. The following day, weakened further, he continues wandering until starvation forces him to consume wild roots resembling yuca, which temporarily restore his strength. This small recovery allows him to continue his search for survival. During his movement, he notices an unusual patch of dense grass, which triggers his experience as a hunter and trapper. Recognizing it as a possible sign of a hidden cache, he begins digging with great difficulty. The work is exhausting and prolonged, and he repeatedly faces despair as no immediate result appears. However, his persistence eventually leads him to uncover a buried structure covered with a hide. Overcoming hesitation, he opens it and discovers a hidden cache containing weapons, ammunition, and essential survival equipment left by other frontiersmen. This discovery transforms his situation completely, restoring his strength, confidence, and identity as a hunter. He carefully selects what he needs, respects frontier customs by leaving the cache largely intact, and prepares to continue his journey. Empowered once again, he sets off into the wilderness with renewed determination, ready to face the dangers of the prairie.

The chapter opens with a second expedition entering the desert, following the trail of Cèdre-Rouge. This group, led by the French hunter Valentin Guillois, includes Curumilla, General Ibañez, and Don Miguel Zarate with his son. Unlike the first group driven by survival or exploration, this party is united by a single purpose: vengeance and the rescue of Don Miguel’s kidnapped daughter. As they advance into hostile territory, Valentin halts the group in a shaded clearing near a stream to establish a strategy. Recognizing the extreme dangers of the desert—hostile humans, lack of resources, and natural threats—he proposes a structured plan and urges careful reflection before proceeding further. Valentin explains that their mission cannot rely on brute force but on intelligence, caution, and adaptation to the environment. He emphasizes that only he and Curumilla are fully accustomed to the hardships of frontier life, while the others, especially Don Miguel and his companions, come from a more privileged background and may struggle with the harsh conditions. He warns that hesitation or weakness could jeopardize the entire mission. Out of responsibility, he offers them the option to turn back to the Mexican frontier if they feel unable to endure the journey, as their presence might endanger the group. However, Don Miguel firmly refuses, declaring that he will continue at any cost until his daughter is recovered, even if it means death. With unity reaffirmed, the group begins discussing strategy. Valentin stresses that survival and success in the desert depend on deception and alliances rather than direct confrontation. Despite their small number, he believes five determined men can achieve significant results if they use the terrain and local politics wisely. He reveals that they may rely on allies such as the Comanches, the Unicorne’s tribe, and potentially the Cora cacique, who has contacts within enemy forces. However, he warns that Cèdre-Rouge is also building alliances, including with the Apaches and the so-called “pirates of the prairies,” suggesting an impending large-scale conflict between rival factions across the plains. Valentin proposes securing an important alliance with the Navajo leader known as the Loup-Jaune before Cèdre-Rouge can reach him. He argues that controlling this alliance could determine the outcome of their mission. Although the others express concern about delay, Valentin insists that in the desert, indirect routes and patience are often more effective than speed, as straight paths can lead to disaster. The group reluctantly accepts his judgment. Their planning is interrupted by Curumilla, who detects approaching danger. Soon the sound of galloping horses and distant gunfire confirms an active pursuit nearby. The group hides and observes an unfolding chase: a lone horseman is being pursued by about thirty Apache warriors. The rider, skilled and defiant, fires back repeatedly while fleeing, managing to kill several attackers. Despite his courage, his horse is weakening, and the Apaches are closing in. Moved by the scene, Valentin decides to intervene, arguing that the man, a fellow white traveler, must not be left to die. Despite the numerical disadvantage, he orders his companions to prepare an ambush. They position themselves in concealment, rifles ready, and wait for the right moment. As the pursued rider passes their hiding place at full speed, the Apaches follow closely behind. At Valentin’s command, the group opens fire in a coordinated volley. The ambush is devastating: five Apache warriors fall instantly, disrupting the pursuit and marking the beginning of direct confrontation between Valentin’s group and the hostile forces of the prairie.