Did you get my last letter from Virginia?"

"Yes," answered Evaleen. "Did you receive mine, in which I explained
the mistakes of Byle?"

"No; I did not get such a letter. Tell me all the contents."

"That will require time."

"Did you answer my--my question?"

"Wait until you see the letter."

"I don't think I can wait."

"Then until we can talk on the boat."

Danvers proposed to take the crew and passengers of the wrecked barge
Buckeye aboard his transport and carry them as far south as Natchez,
where a family boat could be procured for the continuance of their
voyage to New Orleans. Arlington, of course, was accommodated; also
his faithful horse, Jetty, which had followed him down the margin of
the bayou. The understanding was that Winslow should conduct the
doctor and the ladies from Natchez to New Orleans, leaving Danvers
free to march his troops to Natchitoches, while Arlington remained in
Natchez to transact the business intrusted to him by Burr.

The transport was soon afloat. Monsieur Deville, quickly recovering
his habitual gaiety, chirruped:

"Have I not said, Mees Hale, to your father that hees gairl sall be
safe as ze baby in ze cradle? Have I not keep my word? Ze leetle blow
of ze wind, it is all ovair. What we care now for ze boat-wreckair, ze
bad robbair? _Voila!_ have we not brush away ze mosquito? But say to
me, my daughter's dear friend, am I myself Eloy Deville? Ze Captain
Danvers, is he a lunatic?"

"No, doctor, not a lunatic, but a lover. My brother and your daughter
have been sweethearts for many moons."

"Now I am sure you also, Mees Hale, have lost your head. You also are
in ze delirium."

Danvers, attempting to ingratiate himself with pere Eloy, was called
away by an occurrence which caused him chagrin. The sentinel to whom
was assigned the duty of keeping watch over Palafox was not
sufficiently vigilant to foil his cunning. The amphibious athlete
managing deftly to loosen the cords which bound his wrists, slipped
like an eel from the boat into the river, and, diving deep, swam
awhile under water, then on the surface, and finally reached the
eastern shore of the Mississippi, a few miles south of the point at
which the boat had landed. Long, toilsome, exhausting, was his return
tramp toward the sole haunt in which he could expect sympathy or
command protection. He did not rely on honor among thieves, but he had
confidence in Mex, who was bound to him, he believed, by two strong