regarding this plan?"

"That if she goes back to New Orleans, I make the town in the same
boat," I answered shortly, angered by his flippant words and tone.
"'Tis a plan not to be seriously considered a moment, Chevalier. If
carried out it would merely place Madame de Noyan in the power of Cruel
O'Reilly. I doubt if the sacrifice would preserve our worthless lives.
She can only return by means of the boat; with that gone, we should be
compelled to plunge, unprovisioned, into a trackless wilderness,
feeling our way blindly for hundreds of leagues through unknown, savage
tribes. If we survived their cruelty we should be crazed with hunger
and fatigue long before our eyes were gladdened at sight of the upper
Ohio. I do not say such a journey could not be made, but I retain
vivid memory of one such trip, nor will I lightly seek another. I
imagine, Captain, you have small conception of the horrors of the black
forests, when you choose recklessly to plunge into their depths."

"I served against the Creeks," he announced somewhat sullenly.

"So I heard, yet that was mostly boys' play; armored men pitted against
naked savages. You would discover different foemen among the mountain
tribes to the north and east. Do not suppose I question your courage,
but I realize the dangers, as you cannot from your town life, while as
to Madame de Noyan, she will be safer here with us than with those
black brutes in New Orleans."

"You refuse to be comrade with me then?"

"Ay, if such comradeship involve the desertion of your wife."

"Desertion!" The term stung him. "_Sacre_! 'tis not a word to be
lightly flung in the face of a French cavalier. Did I not already owe
you the debt of life, Monsieur, I might endeavor to teach you a lesson
in etiquette."

"I permit your overlooking all obligations, if you desire to indulge in
such an experiment," I retorted, no wise unwilling. "I am no brawling
roisterer, but have never been above giving and receiving blows."

I judged from the glint of his eyes, and the manner in which he juggled
his sword hilt, he had grave purpose of backing up his pretty words. I
should rather have enjoyed giving the doughty gentleman a sudden bath
alongside, had not Madame hastily calmed our hot blood with sober
speech other own.

"Hush, Messieurs," she commanded quietly, her eyes upon my face,
instantly shaming me. "It is not meet you should quarrel. There are
better ways in which to strike blows for