cano of action. Such a henchman
was priceless--under certain conditions! And he had brought a warning
straight from the woman.

"I think I understand what you mean, Bateese," he said. "She says that
I am to make no effort to leave this bateau--that I am to be killed if
I try to escape? Are you sure she said that?"

"PAR LES MILLE CORNES DU DIABLE, you t'ink Bateese lie, m'sieu?
Concombre Bateese, who choke ze w'ite bear wit' hees two ban', who pull
down ze tree--"

"No, no, I don't think you lie. But I am wondering why she didn't tell
me that when she was here."

"Becaus' she have too much leetle bird heart, zat ees w'y. She say:
'Bateese, you tell heem he mus' wait for St. Pierre. An' you tell heem
good an' hard, lak you choke ze w'ite bear an' lak you pull down ze
tree, so he mak' no meestake an' try get away.' An' she tell zat before
all ze BATELIERS--all ze St. Pierre mans gathered 'bout a beeg
fire--an' they shout up lak wan gargon that they watch an' keel you if
you try get away."

Carrigan reached out a hand. "Let's shake, Bateese. I'll give you my
word that I won't try to escape--not until you and I have a good
stand-up fight with the earth under our feet, and I've whipped you. Is
it a go?"

Bateese stared for a moment, and then his face broke into a wide grin.
"You lak ze fight, m'sieu?"

"Yes. I love a scrap with a good man like you."

One of Bateese's huge hands crawled slowly over the table and engulfed
David's. Joy shone on his face.

"An' you promise give me zat fight, w'en you are strong?"

"If I don't, I'll let you tie a stone around my neck and drop me into
the river."

"You are brave GARCON," cried the delighted Bateese. "Up an' down ze
rivers ees no man w'at can whip Concombre Bateese!" Suddenly his face
grew clouded. "But ze head, m'sieu?" he added anxiously.

"It will get well quickly if you will help me, Bateese. Right now I
want to get up. I want to stretch my legs. Was my head bad?"

"NON. Ze bullet scrape ze ha'r off--so--so--an' turn ze brain seek. I
t'ink you be good fighting man in week!"

"And you will help me up?"

Bateese was a changed man. Again David felt that mighty but gentle
strength of his arms as he helped him to his feet. He was a trifle
unsteady for a moment. Then, with the half-breed close at his side,
ready to catch him if his legs gave way, he walked to one of the
windows and looked out. Across the river, fully half a mile away, he
saw the glow of fires.