him if anything will. I fancy I
have caught James Wilkinson, and if so, half the battle is won."

Wilkinson sat in his big easy-chair, pondering. "Aaron Burr is a
shrewd manipulator of men. Naturally he is looking out for his own
elevation. He is a falling angel. But his plans are good and hold out
strong inducements to the course he proposes. If he will undertake to
fit out an expedition and provide recruits, I see no reason why I
should not avail myself of the results of his energy. I am in power
already--I combine the authority of general and governor--and I
cannot see how Burr's co-operation can lessen my dignity or prevent my
aggrandizement. Precaution is the word. We shall see how events
develop. Perhaps this scheme will open my way to attain the height of
my ambition. So long as the signs are propitious I will be safe in
trusting them; but should disaster threaten, I can at any time change
my policy. Precaution! No precipitancy, no ill-considered pledges."

Thus reflected General Wilkinson. Then, left alone, he gradually
yielded to the sedative effect of dinner and drink and fell into a
drowse. The dusk of evening had stolen over the river and darkened the
woods around the fort. The sound of footsteps at the door startled the
sleeper.

"Who's that?"

A swarthy boatman with a leathern coat slouched in.

"Palafox. You back again?"

"Don't call me Palafox, general. I've changed my name for reasons you
might guess. Palafox ha'n't been a safe name to carry since that
business at the mouth of the Ohio."

"You need not worry yourself about that 'business,' as you call it, of
ten or eleven years ago. I got you out of a bad scrape; your
associates, who were arrested, and tried were discharged; the
accusations are forgotten. What do you want, Palafox?"

"I tell you I'm not Palafox--I'm Captain Burke Pierce--that's the
name I've been going by at Pittsburg and all along the Ohio. I left
the other name in New Orleans. Folks don't forget names or deeds so
soon as I wish they would. I know the court cleared the men, but they
don't forget the trick played on them. Pepillo, who was the helmsman
of the piroque, isn't dead, and he would shoot or stab me on sight.
Vexeranno is alive yet, too, and he is one of the three who planned to
do it."

"Speak no more of the horrible affair, my friend. We were none of us
gainers by it. You know how much I lost. But I saved you from arrest,
and you ought to be grateful. Why are you