ue, I had no part in your uprising. I am
not of your race."

He laughed easily, passing one slender, white hand carelessly through
his long hair.

"Pah! you scarcely need tell me that, for the taste of the French
tongue seems ill-suited to your lips. Yet I would have you speak out
more plainly! I play not easily into the hands of strangers."

"Why not? You could hardly be worse off than you are now."

"_Pardieu_! you are not so far wrong in your philosophy, friend. Still
I stick to my text, and if you care to hold further speech with me it
will be well to declare yourself. I have ever been a bit careful as to
my associates."

"It makes small odds, Chevalier, who I am; nor will it greatly aid you
to learn my name, which is plain Geoffrey Benteen, without even a
handle of any kind to it, nor repute, save that of an honest hunter
along the upper river. I say who I am makes small odds, for I come not
with application for membership into your social circle, nor with card
of introduction from some mutual friend."

His expressive eyebrows uplifted in surprise.

"Then, Monsieur, pray relieve my natural curiosity, and tell me why I
am thus honored by your presence?"

"To aid your escape from this hole, God willing. That is, provided you
rouse up from lethargy, and bear your part as becomes a man."

I spoke with heat, for his indifference irritated me; yet I failed to
note that my words made the slightest impression on him, for I did
merely mark a slight shrugging of the shoulders, while he crossed his
legs more comfortably, rolling some fresh tobacco, before he took
trouble to reply.

"You are evidently of a choleric temper, friend Benteen. Great
Heavens, what names have you English!" he exclaimed. "And you need
greatly to practise better control over yourself, as such weakness is
apt to lead one into just such scrapes as this of ours. _Sacre_! it
hath been my failing also, otherwise would I now be a fat Major of the
Line instead of a poor devil condemned to the volley, for no worse
crime than an over-hot head. But seriously, Monsieur, and I am truly
of a most grave disposition, it is not so easy to accomplish that which
you propose with so glib a tongue. Imagine you I have lain here, under
tender Spanish care, all these weeks, where, as I do most solemnly
affirm, not so much as a glass of decent wine has found way down my
throat, nor have I possessed a bit of pomade for the proper arrangement
of my loc