tood at his elbow, "do you take
yon dishonored weapon and break it before the troops."

And Matamora, full glad to escape with life and limb, willingly yielded
up his sword to the black who snapped it under his foot, obedient to
Bienville's nod, then cast the tainted pieces from him.

Upon the long march to Biloxi, de la Mora was the life of the command,
and drew to our camp fire every straggler who could make a fair excuse
to come. He knew good songs, and he sang them well; he knew good
cheer, and he kept us all in radiant spirits. All, save myself. I was
bitterly dejected.

"Cheer up, lad," he'd say, "What ails you? One would think you'd met
reverse, instead of winning glory and promotion. It was a brave day,
and bravely you did bear yourself. Would that Jerome could see."

But the consciousness of dishonor had torn elation from my soul,
though, God knows, it had before been stainless in thought or deed.

"We'll have many sweet and tranquil hours at Biloxi when days of peace
are come. My cottage can be your home after the barracks no longer
claim your care. Agnes is the sweetest of wives; her little sister,
too, a child, but fair, and clever too, beyond her years."

Verily I cared nothing for a baby sister. But Agnes?

He repeated his invitation to their cottage many times, and mentally I
prayed, "O God, lead not Thy children into temptation."

When we had settled down again at Biloxi, for days I remained to myself
in the barracks, and saw no one, making pretense of being busy amongst
my men.

De la Mora rallied me upon my ungallant conduct, in denying to the
ladies the sight of so famous a soldier.

I had now firmly determined to make it necessary to be away from the
post for a season, either in campaign with the Choctaws against the
Natchez, or by taking part in the coming siege of Havana. Any pretext
to get away. Anything but the truth.

CHAPTER XXII

THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX

One day very soon thereafter my servant presented me a box, which he
said had been brought there by an Indian from Colonel d'Ortez, with the
request that it be delivered into my own hand. And further, to beg I
would make him a visit as soon as my duties would permit.

The evening being far advanced I could not go that night, so contented
myself with the promise I would cross the bay on the morrow.

Later, my company being my own, I gave attention to the box, such a
metal receptacle as was commonly used for