orth upon dry land.

"You and your cursed canting preacher can do as you please," he
announced carelessly, staring down at us, "but if you desire to retain
me as one of this interesting party, you will wait until I return."

"Surely, man, you do not propose attacking the Spaniards single-handed?
This is sheer madness."

He laughed lightly at the look of consternation on my face, twisting
his moustache between his white fingers, his good humor instantly
restored.

"Nay, most valiant hunter of game," he returned gayly. "_Le diable_!
you appear as horrified as your hellfire friend yonder at sight of a
crucifix. _Sacre_! I am not such a fool. I know when the odds are
too great, even although I wear a uniform. Still, should I chance to
meet obstruction during my ramble, it is not likely I shall run from it
without a pass or two. I merely return to our camp, and will be back
presently, if naught unpleasant occur."

"Our camp? You deliberately venture your life, and ours as well, from
mere bravado?"

"_Bravado_! _Sacre_! you do wrong to use such term. 'T is of far
greater moment than that--I seek the curling iron I have just missed
from out my toilet-bag. I mind me now I laid it beside the tree while
I slept."

Before I could recover speech to stay him, he vanished into the thick
cane. It was a difficult task to make the practical-headed old Puritan
comprehend the nature of his quest, and when it slowly dawned upon him
for what trivial matter the Frenchman undertook so desperate a journey,
there came across his seamed and withered face so odd a look of
complete disgust, I laughed outright in my nervousness, discovering
some slight response in the amused eyes or Madame. It proved a good
hour before the Chevalier returned, somewhat bedraggled of attire, yet
with his prize dangling at the belt, and dropped wearily upon a seat
within the boat.

"'Tis time to move," he answered, responding to my look of inquiry.
"They were at the camp when I left; and appeared in ill humor, from
what little I could understand of their Spanish mouthings. They had
just released the noble Marquis from where you trussed him upon the
rock, and his language has given me a headache."

CHAPTER XVII

WE MEET WITH AN ACCIDENT

I find it poor work transcribing so much regarding myself in recounting
these small adventures, yet how else may I tell the story rightly?
This all occurred so long ago the young man of whom I write se