and seek sleep, but his ear,
attuned to the wilderness, caught a faint sound. It was not the wind among
the leaves, nor the gliding of a snake nor the chirp of an insect, but a
sound that was not a part of the night harmony. The sensitive ear had
given him warning, as the instinct of an animal warns that an enemy has
come.

The first shadow slid from the grove and into the undergrowth, sank low,
and, waiting, caught sight of the second shadow, the man who pursued. He
saw the naked figure, the feline face, and the ready knife in hand. The
skill and wonderful forest intuition of the second man had been matched by
those of the first.

The pursued, when he caught that glimpse of his pursuer, laid his rifle
carefully on the earth, because he did not wish a shot to be heard, and
drew his own knife. Slight as was the sound that he made the other heard
it, turned in a flash, and the two sprang at each other.

The moonlight streamed for a moment along their knife blades and then they
struck. One stepped back, and remained standing upright. The other swayed
a moment and then fell without a sound, lying upon his back.

He who lay staring with sightless eyes up at the moon was the man with the
feline face and the body naked save for the cloth at the waist. The other,
unharmed, stood, looking at him a moment or two, and then plunged deeper
into the forest.

Morning dawned. The sun swung up through a terrace of rosy clouds, and
Luiz brought the four their breakfast, _callas tous chauds_, other food of
La Louisiane, and milk and coffee. They ate and drank with a great
appetite, and it seemed to Luiz that they were quite cheerful, for which
he was truly glad, because one of these men had saved his life, and the
wounded youth who made an especial appeal to him had been subjected to
barbarous treatment. But Paul could use his injured arm already. His blood
was so healthy that the scratch of the sword healed fast.

Two or three hours later Francisco Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt entered the
prison. The renegade was not above showing by his looks that he rejoiced
in his triumph over his enemies, but the face of Alvarez was without
expression.

"I have come to tell you," said the Spaniard, "that you will be held here
subject to my will. But you will not be treated badly. At such time as I
think fit you may be taken to New Orleans."

"It seems that the words of Father Montigny were not to be despised," said
Henry maliciously.

"Fathe