Part 21 (2/2)
It was as he described, a place fitted by nature for such a contest, the upper stratu so far forward as al the centre of this darkened opening, uprose a great square slab of stone, for in its shadow Moreover the ground fell away sharply, the higher point being twenty feet above the water level; and this at the widest part of the gorge, the entire slope thickly streith bowlders of varying size
”You have ed heartily, after a hasty survey ”It would be difficult to discover a more proper spot for purposes of defence St Andrew! but three of us ought to hold that ainst quite a party”
De Noyan broke in, perfectly at his ease with actual fighting in prospect ”Somewhat open as yet, but that can be remedied by use of those scattered stones Upbuild the circle here, leaving in front of the great bowlder rooh for the three of us to battle at ease, with a 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 thewith interest
”Pah! your doughty Frenchan Cairnes, casting an eager glance toward the provisions dropped upon the ground ”Tosuch labor It may happen we shall have no other chance to eat, and it would go hard against es Ecod! it would try Job hie hi 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 ork, 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 ith 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, co the open front of the cave, its centre so solidly against the face of the cliff
It did etic orders, swearing at us ardently in army French as if ere 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 thethat time we toiled as men must when their lives are soon to depend upon the result of their labor
”_Saprista_!” he co about hih another row then the curves Still, 'tis not likely we shall be called upon to battle against gun or pike, and if too high the stones ht interfere with proper thrust of the sword
So let us lunch Egad! the sight of that hungry preacher haunts -spell we get ere the ball opens will serve to steady our nerves for the onset Have you spread forth a rare feast for our co lightly against the great stone, sentlemen,” she returned bravely, ”and I trust you may consider it a pleasant duty to do full justice to ered a unique memory of those days, the outward carelessness hich we chattered away during that strange meal Surely no company of wanderers was ever in more desperate stress than we at thatus all lived to see the peaceful setting of the sun, now blazing high overhead Yet that simple noonday repast, partaken of beneath the shadow of the overhanging rock, reue and face than any since wetruthful narrative, Ithis down, yet there are doubtless others living to bear witness with me that there is often experienced an odd relief in discovering the presence of actual danger; that uncertainty and mystery try most severely the temper of men
It certainly proved so with us that day, and De Noyan's high spirits found echo even in the gri at last convinced that he was not called upon to wrestle with deht as the best of us Eloise added her gentle speech, while even I relaxed h to select a seat from which I could keep watch both up and down the ravine, convinced that our time of trial was not far away In consequence of this chosen vantage of position I was the first to note those stealthy nude figures silently stealing fro their way doard our position froe I could not conjecture; my eyes first detected their movement when their leaders stole noiselessly as phantoe More than this fleeting glimpse I was unable to perceive fro the view, nor did I call the attention of the others to their approach Nothing could be gained by exposing ourselves before need arose Indeed, De Noyan chanced to observe their presence before I ventured upon speech at all
”Ha,to peer above the low breastworks ”What have we here? By entleh uncertain of our whereabouts, yet hardly as if greatly fearing our numbers What do you make of the fellows, Master Benteen?”
”Beyond doubt savages, but not of any tribe within ed gravely, staring at theely whitish skin, and I am not over pleased with their mode of advance; it has the steadiness of a drilled colun
_Sacre_! note yonder how that tall fellow on the right guides therenadiers
Eloise,” he turned hastily toward his wife, more tenderness in histo be a hard battle, or I reatly the temper of yonder warriors Take this pistol; it is all I have of the kind I will trust my fortune on the blade You kno best to use it should things go wrong with us at the front”
”I know,” she answered cal of Indian tales; yet could I not prove some aid beside you?”
”Nay, little woman; there is scarcely rooht with freer hand knowing you are safe froe blow behind the rock Come, my lady, it is full time you were there now”
She shook hands with us in turn, giving to each ht, and never before did I have such incentive to battle as I read within the depths of her dark eyes as she caretfully withdrew her hands froetful of all else, until De Noyan's voice, harsh noith excite combat, recalled me to myself and my post of duty
”It is ti with the rare French courtesy of battle ”Let Monsieur Cairnes find place upon ht, while Master Benteen, do you keep the left It will be better to crouch low until I speak the word, and then God give you both strong arms and hearts”