ademoiselle and me that the whole world might not know. We are good
friends enough, but if by any chance love should be born from that
friendship, no French gallant, though he sport a dozen swords, shall
come between us. Win her if you can by reckless audacity and
lavishness of perfume, but dream not to frighten me away from her
presence by the mutterings of bravado. I am the son of a soldier,
Monsieur, and have myself borne arms in battle."

"You will fight, then?"

"With pleasure, whenever the occasion arises," I replied slowly,
struggling hard to keep back more bitter words. "But I see none at
present, and, if I mistake not, all our skill at arms will soon be
needed to save this girl, as well as ourselves, from savage hands."

I know not how we would have parted, for 't was evidently his wish to
goad me on to fight; and there are times when passion overwhelms us
all. But at that moment I heard the soft rustle of a dress, and
wheeled to face the fair young wife of Lieutenant Helm. It was plain
she had been weeping; but De Croix, ever quicker than I in such
matters, was first to accost her in words of courtesy. A pretty face
to him was instant inspiration.

"We bow to you, Madame," he exclaimed with excessive gallantry, doffing
his hat till it swept the stairs; "your coming makes the very sunshine
a brighter gold."

"I trust it may bring peace as well," she answered, striving to smile
back at him, although trouble yet shadowed her sweet face; "surely my
ears caught the sound of harsh words."

"A slight misunderstanding, which will hardly grow to any serious end,"
he protested.

"I trust not, gentlemen, for the time is come when we women at Dearborn
surely need you all to protect us. Our case already appears desperate."

"Has something new occurred," I questioned anxiously, "that makes you
more alarmed?"

Her eyes, grown strangely serious once more, swept our faces.

"You may neither of you comprehend this in its full meaning as clearly
as I do," she returned gravely, "for I am frontier-bred, and have known
the Indian character from childhood. We have long been acquainted, in
my father's family, with many of the chiefs and warriors now encamped
around us. We have traded in their villages, lived with them in their
smoke-stained tepees on the great plains, and trusted them as they
showed faith in us. You, I learn," and she looked at me more intently,
"were at my father's house no later than last nig