bark. Wilkinson placed the bottle in a cupboard, and was
preparing to leave the cabin, when the door opened and in walked
Palafox. The commander-in-chief, whom fever and quinine had rendered
hot-headed, stared angrily.

"What does this mean? Didn't I warn you never again to come to me
unless sent for? You sneak in without so much as knocking! Your
effrontery deserves a horsewhip! Begone!"

Instead of going, the intruding boatman pulled off his slouch hat and
made a humble bow: "I beg your pardon, general, but I used to come and
go, you recollect, by your order, informally, like a kind of private
secretary, and I can't get rid of the familiar habit."

"Familiar! I should say so! You are brazen! I doubt you are drunk or
you would not have the audacity to invade my privacy and speak as you
do."

"Well, governor, what if I am drunk? You don't see anything
disgraceful in that, do you?"

The insolence of this personal thrust enraged Wilkinson beyond
endurance. In his indignation he snatched a sheathed sword from the
wall and struck Palafox a rash blow. The ruffian recoiled, staggering,
and clutched at the hilt of a dirk in his belt.

"Is that enough for you?" cried the furious general.

The Spaniard, livid and trembling, checked the impulse to draw his
dirk, and slowly raising his hand to the bleeding welt on his
forehead, said with sullen irony:

"It's now more'n three months since I invaded your privacy, as you
call it. I came all the way from Natchez for money, not for abuse. You
owe me, and if you are a man of your word you'll pay me. I want to
leave this part of the country, and won't bother you any more after
you've paid what's coming to me, unless you want to hear some facts
concerning your own good that I've picked up for you."

The unabashed, persistent importunity of Palafox, astounded Wilkinson.
There was an accent of admiration in his exclamation, "You
dare-devil!"

"I'm not daring you, general, and if I was, you are not a devil, only
a debtor."

The dignity of Wilkinson could not suffer further saucy retort or
question.

"This farce must end. I cannot bandy words with such as you. Not
another dollar shall you receive from me--not a penny. You had my
final word at Massac, last Spring. Quit this boat instantly, and leave
St. Louis. If I see you again, or hear of your hanging around the
garrison, I'll settle your account in short order."

"I don't belong to the army."

"No!" answered the chief,