vealed plainly to me as the will of the
Lord. I name the distance full seventy leagues. What has been the
main direction of our course?"

"To north of west."

"Ay! Are we, think you, thirty leagues to northward of where we left
the Spaniards?"

"I should say yes, maybe ten leagues more."

"I doubt the extra ten, but even at thirty it would be foolishness to
retrace all that hard-won distance merely for the sake of keeping in
sight of this muddy stream, the very water of which is unfit for
Christian stomach, and of no value otherwise. 'Tis my vote we strike
directly east and north, following as straight a trail as possible
until we find the great river. It should be as easy travelling as
along this bank, and will bring us out above the Spanish lines of
guard."

I know not how long I sat there gazing silently into his impassive
leathern face, turning over within my own mind the argument of his
words. He was neither woodsman nor mountaineer, yet possessed some
judgment. Thus considering, I saw but one possible objection to his
plan--lack of water or of game along the unknown route to be traversed.
But serious scarcity of either was hardly to be expected at this season
among the mountains, while the weary leagues of southing thus saved
would make no small difference in the length and time of our journey.

"It appears to me our best hope," I admitted candidly. "It will
involve clambering over rocks, yet yonder range does not appear high,
nor of a width to keep us long in its shadow; besides, the lower
reaches of this river are marshy leagues upon leagues, and to my mind
walking will be easier if we take higher ground. It is all guesswork
at the best. We know how impassable the trail will be below, and, even
if we retrace our steps down the river, we shall have to make a wide
detour to cross this mad stream. But wait; we have heard no word from
Madame de Noyan."

She also was looking upon those cool, blue hills, apparently close at
hand, but turned instantly at my addressing her, making quick and
confident answer.

"My word is only this, Geoffrey Benteen: you are a woodsman, better
capable of such decision than any woman whose life has been lived
within the town. I go cheerfully wheresoever your choice lies."

It has ever been a source of strength to me to be thoroughly trusted by
some other, and I instantly arose to my feet, feeling a new man under
the inspiration of these heartsome words.

"Then th