ad the water as if it were an evil spirit. See! the column
resumes its march, and the savages are moving beside us as might a
guard of honor."

It was as she had said. The long, hard journey had begun; and slowly,
like some great snake torpid with a winter's sleep, the crawling column
drew forward. We at the rear rode down the incline and out upon the
level plain, every step an unconscious advance toward battle and death.

CHAPTER XXV

IM THE JAWS OF THE TIGER

We chatted carelessly about many things, as we rode slowly onward, our
unguided horses following those in advance along the well-marked trail
close beside the water along the sandy beach. Mademoiselle was full of
life and bubbling over with good-humor; while De Croix, having found
the essentials of his toilet safe, grew witty and light of speech, even
interesting me now and then in the idle words that floated to my
ears,--for he managed to monopolize the attention of the young girl so
thoroughly that after a little time I sat silent in my saddle, scarce
adding a word to their gay tilt, my eyes and thought upon the changing
scene ahead.

I know not why, as I reflect calmly upon the incidents of that morning,
I should have grown so confident that the savages meant us fair; yet
this feeling steadily took possession of me, and I even began to regret
that I had not stayed behind in quest of her for whom I had come so
far. Surely it was hopeless for me to dangle longer beside
Mademoiselle, for De Croix knew so well the little ins and cuts of
social intercourse that I was like a child for his play. Moreover, it
was clear enough that the girl liked him, or he would never presume so
to monopolize her attention. That she saw through much of his vain
pretence, was indeed probable; her words had conveyed this to me.
Nevertheless, it was plain she found him entertaining; he was like a
glittering jewel in that rough wilderness, and I was too dull of brain
and narrow of experience to hope for success against him in a struggle
for the favor of a girl so fair and gay as this Toinette.

I thought the matter all out as I rode on through the sunlight, my eyes
upon the painted savages who trooped along upon our right in such
stolid silence and seeming indifference, my ears open to the light
badinage and idle compliments of my two companions. Yes, it would be
better so. When the Indians left the column at the head of the lake, I
would invent some excuse that migh