Part 17 (1/2)
”Nor are you more surprised, Senor, at my presence, than was I a moment back to stumble upon you when I supposed our party alone here in this wilderness Who did you say held doracious Christian Majesty, Charles the Third, of Spain,” he replied shortly ”As his officer, I require that you give proper heed and direct answer to ?”
Themanner amusedhunter, Senor, from the Illinois country, homeward bound
I was not aware this territory had fallen into Spanish hands, supposing it still to be under French control You are then a soldier of Spain?”
”Ay,” he returned ungraciously, eyingway, ”of the battalion of Grenada”
He was evidently in doubt whether to believeit as proof he had not gained a glier search
”It may be, fellow,” he consented to say at last, ”you speak truth, and it rave suspicion, yet there are means of discovery open to men of action I just noted the position of your camp yonder, and have sufficient men within easy reach of my voice to make it mine if need arise So I warn you to deal fairly, or accept the consequences The Marquis de Serrato is not one given to speaking twice in such quest I have a soft tongue in ladies' bowers, but h in camp and field”
He uttered these words in fierce threat, his one evil eye glaring full at h to terrify Before I could answer, he shot forth a question, direct as a bullet froun
”I beheld the flap of a dress yonder amid those trees; what means it?
Women are not common in these parts--have you one in your coto speak with apparent respect for his rank ”We are four, altogether; one has his wife along to cook for us”
”You are voyaging from New Orleans?”
”Nay; froood season of sport”
”You are French?”
”A natural guess, yet a wrong one, Senor I alish blood”
”_Saprista_! 't is a beast of a nation! I like not that such as you should be here I will call so a step backward as if about to seek his coh, yet these are troublous days along the river, andany 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 fro hazard of one more effort to draw him out
”I havethe words with deference, yet e of sarcasm to the tone, ”yet never previously found them so fearful of a stray hunter's cauard of ar the woman; we are only three, and of peaceful life You would discover nothing except elcohting his hard, thin face, observing how suddenly awakened pride and contempt combined to curl his upturned ayly, with a derisive wave of the hand, ”so you suppose it is fro others to accompany me!
_Caraer 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 sih, 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 et I wear this sword for use, not show”
Withso honest a countenance, and a blessing on the Spaniard's pride, I turned back, beginning to retrace lance across my shoulder, yet confident he was close behind Every additional step I inveigled hie, nor would I permit him to feel suspicion on et 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 -place oftrees co out all view of the water It was a likely spot enough, having firle, and here I deteronist It was useless to hope for surprise He was an old soldier dogging ripping his sword hilt, ready to cut htest need arise No; it ainst the dancing blade; yet I felt the strange contest would not prove unfair, for he was a one, while his ar of a sword thrust, would be ainst my rifle-stock
”Senor,” I said, in studied courtesy, stopping suddenly and confronting him, ”I have hunted across this wildernessestopped now by Spanish decree Nor do I coht in this e to the Ohio?”
He stared at rim smile on his hard, set face