the great bowlder room enough for the three of us to battle at ease,
with ample space in which to swing our sword-arms, the solid rock at
our backs. Saint Anne! but it is beautiful! Bring the stones here so
I may place them to the best purpose for such defence." And he drew a
rapid half-circle about the mouth of the shallow cave, his eyes
brightening with interest.

"Pah! your doughty Frenchman appears overly anxious to be killed,"
began Cairnes, casting an eager glance toward the provisions dropped
upon the ground. "To my mind we had better break our fast before
commencing such labor. It may happen we shall have no other chance to
eat, and it would go hard against my nature to waste that pickled meat
on naked savages. Ecod! it would try Job himself to stand by helpless,
watching a clouted heathen gorge himself on what should be lying
comfortable in our own stomachs. What say ye, Master Benteen?"

"That our first effort be with the stones," I returned with decision.
"After that, we can partake of food. The latter can be made ready
while we work, if Madame will spread it here at the mouth of the
cave--a bit farther back would prove better, under the protection of
that slab of rock."

Rejoicing at thus inducing our fair companion to seek safety under
shelter, the three of us fell to work with energy. Under the direction
of De Noyan, the scattered bowlders were rolled up the steep and piled
in a solid wall, reaching nearly waist high, completely circling the
open front of the cave, its centre somewhat advanced from the stone
slab, with either flank resting solidly against the face of the cliff.
It did me good to listen while De Noyan issued energetic orders,
swearing at us ardently in army French as if we were of his own
squadron of chasseurs.

It required the greater part of an hour to get our rude rock rampart in
such condition as to satisfy the military taste of the Chevalier even
measurably, and during that time we toiled as men must when their lives
are soon to depend upon the result of their labor.

"_Saprista_!" he commented at last, wiping his streaming brow, and
gazing about him critically. "It will answer fairly well, I think,
although another row might strengthen the curves. Still, 'tis not
likely we shall be called upon to battle against gun or pike, and if
too high the stones might interfere with proper thrust of the sword.
So let us lunch. Egad! the sight of that hungry preacher haunts me
ev