t him archly over her
shoulder, "I have likewise another knight, this wood ranger, who hath
also won my deep regard and gratitude."

De Croix scowled, and twisted his short mustache nervously.

"You put a thorn beside every rose," he muttered. "'T was your way in
Montreal."

"A few hundred miles of travel do not greatly change one's nature.
Either at Dearborn or Montreal, I am still Toinette. But, Messieurs, I
have been told of a camp quite close at hand,--and yet you leave me
here in the sand to famish while you quarrel."

The tone of her voice, while still full of coquetry, was urgent, and I
think we both noted for the first time how white of face she was, and
how wearily her eyes shone. The Frenchman, ever ready in such
courtesies, was the first to respond by word and act.

"You are faint, Toinette," he cried, instantly forgetful of everything
else, and springing forward to give her the aid of his arm. "I beg you
lean upon me. I have been blind not to note your weakness before. 'T
is indeed not a long walk to our camp from here,--yet, on my life, I
know nothing of where it lies. Jordan," he added, speaking as if he
were in command, "lead back along the path we came. _Sacre_! the old
bear was gruff enough over the delay of our search; he will be savage
now."

I know not how Jordan ever found his way back, for the sliding sand had
already obliterated all evidences of former travel; but I walked
sullenly beside him, leaving De Croix to minister to the needs of the
girl as best he might. I felt so dull beside his ready tongue that, in
spite of my real liking for the fellow, his presence angered me. 'T is
strange we should ever envy in others what we do not ourselves possess,
ignoring those traits of character we have which they no less desire.
So to me then it seemed altogether useless to contend for the heart of
a woman,--such a woman, at least, as this laughing Toinette,--against
the practised wiles of so gay and debonair a cavalier. I steeled my
ears to the light badinage they continued to indulge in, and ploughed
on through the heavy sand at Jordan's heels, in no mood for converse
with any one.

We came upon the camp suddenly, and discovered Captain Wells pacing
back and forth, his stern face dark with annoyance. At sight of me,
his passion burst all restraint.

"By God, sir!" he ejaculated, "if you were a soldier of mine, I would
teach you what it meant to put us to such a wait as this! Know y