of a nation! I like not that such as you
should be here. I will call some of my men and visit your camp." He
spoke sternly, taking a step backward as if about to seek his
companions. "The tale you tell may be true enough, yet these are
troublous days along the river, and my orders are strict against
permitting any to pass unsearched."

My hands clinched hard around the gun-barrel for a swing, while I
braced my body for a leap forward, yet held back from such desperate
action, making hazard of one more effort to draw him out.

"I have met soldiers of Spain before, my lord," I said, speaking the
words with deference, yet managing to inject sufficient tinge of
sarcasm to the tone, "yet never previously found them so fearful of a
stray hunter's camp as not to dare approach it without a guard of armed
men. My companions yonder are asleep, excepting the woman; we are only
three, and of peaceful life. You would discover nothing except warm
welcome at our fire."

I caught the quick responsive smile lighting his hard, thin face,
observing how suddenly awakened pride and contempt combined to curl his
upturned moustache.

"Ah!" he exclaimed gayly, with a derisive wave of the hand, "so you
suppose it is from fear I proposed calling others to accompany me!
_Caramba_! 'tis well you put your suspicion in no stronger words. But
stay; I trust not altogether the truth of your tale. Saints' love! a
soldier can place faith only in what he sees--yet your face is frank
and simple enough, and, as you say, there are but three of you, besides
the woman. I did mark that much from yonder tree. It will be small
risk to one of my experience in arms, and my men sleep in weariness.
Lead on, fellow, yet do not forget I wear this sword for use, not show."

With muttered thanksgiving at my possessing so honest a countenance,
and a blessing on the Spaniard's pride, I turned back, beginning to
retrace my steps along the narrow ridge, never deigning to glance
across my shoulder, yet confident he was close behind. Every
additional step I inveigled him from his camp was to my advantage, nor
would I permit him to feel suspicion on my part, as fearlessness was
certain to beget confidence, and my final plan of action was already
made. We thus passed the spot where I had climbed the steep bank, and
were, to the best of my memory, some twenty yards beyond the
hiding-place of my boat, when the ridge widened, a thick fringe of
low-growing trees co