to
show that he was not afraid of the bully, replied in that silky tone of
his:

"Meaning to say that that is what I would have you understand, Master
Abel Hunt."

Surely in making such answer Pierre escaped telling a downright lie, for
he spoke only the truth.

Then, striving to show myself somewhat at ease in the company of this
fellow with whom I had never previously associated, I asked him in turn
what he was doing, and where he counted on spending the night.

He gave no heed to my first question, but replied to the second by
saying:

"I allow I'll stay with you lads till sunrise. It's a bit lonesome
loafing around here alone, and, like you, I know of no place where I can
find a bed. We'll hang together as neighbors should."

"We'll do nothing of the kind, Abel Hunt," I cried hotly. "I claim the
right to choose my own friends."

"Oh, you do, eh?" the fellow cried with a coarse laugh. "Well perhaps in
this case you haven't got any rights. At least, before allowing it I
want to know why you are here, and how you happen to be wandering around
the camp of an enemy, for surely you rebels count the king's soldiers as
enemies."

I understood on the instant that I had made a mistake in thus speaking
angrily; but it was too late to make amends, as I thought, and would
have moved on but that Pierre said just as Abel Hunt barred my way by
stepping in front of me:

"I see no reason, Fitz, why even though you may not be friendly with
this lad, he should not remain with us, at least until morning. I can
well fancy that if he, like you and me, has no place in which to lay his
head this night, companionship of any kind would be very sweet. At
least, I know it is with me, and, with your permission, shall welcome
him."

"You will because you don't dare do different," Hunt cried triumphantly,
and Pierre said with a note of sharpness in his tones:

"Since that is your belief, Master Hunt, we will prove to you the
contrary," and Pierre, ruffling like a pigeon, strode off with a great
assumption of dignity, I as a matter of course following.

When we came upon Abel Hunt we were going directly toward old Mary's
cabin; but now Pierre turned at the next corner, walking slowly as if
simply eager to pass the time, and headed in the direction of the river,
while I kept close by his side mentally bewailing the little lad's
unlucky desire to learn the location of the guard-house in which Saul
was confined.

It was possible to