n of mine there is
room for one of us, a bare chance of escape. This guard behind,--he is a
powerful man, but, with every warrior wild in the circling mass yonder,
he might be engaged for the moment needed for one to dart into the
darkness and take to the river. Once there, the mercy of night and
bending bushes might aid him. What think you?"

"Truly 'tis worth the try. My blood answers the risk. At the most it
would but hasten things. But give the word and we'll at it."

"Nay,--we must understand each other, lest we bungle. As the plan was
mine, I take the choice of parts. There is a stain upon my conscience,
M'sieu." McElroy spoke simply from his heart, as was his wont.
"Throughout this long journey it has lain heavy. Though I hold against
you one grave offence, yet I grieve deeply that it was through my hasty
anger you were brought to such sorry plight. As I am at fault, so would
I heal that fault. This the way I find given me. When I spring for our
friend of the painted feather, do you, M'sieu, waiting for nothing, take
to the bush with all the speed there is in you. And before we part know
that, were we free, I would punish you as man to man for that moment
before the gate of De Seviere with all pleasure."

"Ah! You refer to Ma'amselle Le Moyne? By what right?"

"By the right of love, whose advances were more than half-reciprocated
before the advent of your accursed red flowers,--the right of man to
fight for his woman."

"Nom de Dieu!" De Courtenay threw back his head and laughed, the flecks
of light from the fire flittering across his handsome features. "You
speak a lost cause, my friend! She was mine since that first morning by
your well when the high head bent to my hand. What a woman she is,--Maid
of the Long Trail, Spirit of the Woods and Lakes! A lioness with a
dove's heart! I have seen the Queen of the World in this God-forsaken
wilderness; therefore is it worth while."

"Stop!" cried McElroy sharply; "let the old wound be. Only make ready to
act at once."

"Aye,--I am ready now."

"Then rise with me,--swiftly as possible,--when I count to three. One--"

The two men strained their bodies, leaning forward, for both had risen
to sit facing the fire when the dance began.

"Two,--" breathed McElroy, "ready, M'sieu,--three!"

With one accord they leaped to their feet, and the factor in a flash
was upon the Indian just passing behind him. He had leaped high, for
the Nakonkirhirinon was taller than a