.

That shamed me, and I came to my feet and let my bowl of broth spill
where it would.

"Sleep well, lad. You are safe with us," I cried, and I left my meal
unfinished, and went to the hidden cargo. Then and there I would find
proper clothing for the Englishman. I had been slothful in the matter.

The clothing was stored deep, and I was bending to the search with some
shortness of breath, when the Englishman touched my shoulder.

"Is it clothing for me?"

I handed him a blanket coat for answer. "It is large, but warm," I
said, and bent again to my task.

Still he kept a hand on my shoulder. "Monsieur, I am satisfied with my
dress."

I could be putty in his hands one moment and scorn him the next.
"Nonsense!" I snapped over my shoulder.

But he clung like a gnat. "It is not nonsense. Stop a moment and
listen to my reasons."

I drew myself up reluctantly. "Well?"

He stood with arms akimbo, his head to one side. "It is as plain as a
pikestaff. In this dress I can go where you cannot. I can reconnoitre
for you. In your man's coat I should be grotesque, for it is twice my
size. I should be noticeable and draw comment on us. As it is, I can
go unobserved."

Now this was partly true. "But the presence of a woman would discredit
our canoes," I objected.

He turned this over. "A woman would discredit your party?"

"Of course."

"But no one sees you but the Indians."

"They report to the priests."

"And you care what the priests think?"

"I care for the good name of my company. Monsieur, do you like to wear
a squaw's dress?"

He laughed. "Why not? I like women. Why scorn their garb? But I see
your reasons, monsieur. They are better than mine. So get out the
clothing,--though I shall look like an eel in a bear's skin."

But I had lost my haste. Mock woman that he was, he was yet somewhat
pleasant to the eye. I had noticed more than once the picture that he
made as he came and went among the trees. Yet I thought lightly of
myself for enjoying the deceit of my eyesight. I rose.

"Wear your skirts, then, for a few days longer," I said coldly. "It is
too dark to find what I want. Come now. We must sleep early, and be
up betimes, for we shall take up our journey in the morning."

We were astir at daybreak. It was a red morning, and the birds were
singing. The air was keen, but the fire snapped cheerfully, and the
sky gave promise of a warm day. We carried the bales to the b