was barely daylight, although the sun was above the horizon. A vast
bank of cloud hung so dense across the eastern sky as to leave the
whole scene in shadow, making the hour appear much earlier. I felt, as
we searched the camp-fires, a strange uneasiness, for which I could not
account--it was a premonition of approaching peril. This sense is the
gift of many accustomed to border life, and compelled to rely for
safety upon minute signs scarcely observable to the eyes of others. I
had noticed a broken reed near where we turned into this new stream, so
freshly severed as to show green from sap yet flowing, while the soft
mud about the base of the big rock bore evidence of having been
tramped, although the distance was so great the nature of the marks was
not discernible. To be sure, native denizens of the forest might
account for this, yet the sight aroused suspicion and a determination
to examine more closely, while the fear of prowling enemies made me
strenuous in objecting to the building of any fire with which to cook
our morning meal.

The eating came to a conclusion at last, although not without
grumbling, in both French and English, at being obliged to subsist on
cold fare. By use of threats I succeeded in inducing the Rev. Mr.
Cairnes to retire without indulging in his usual devotional exercise.
Discovering De Noyan comfortably settled against a tree-trunk, pipe in
mouth, already beginning to look sleepy about the eyes, I muttered in
his hearing a word or two regarding a fishing trip into deeper water
along the opposite shore, and, quietly leaving him to unsuspicious
repose, slipped down to where our boat was tied beneath the tree
shadows. As I bent, loosening the rope, I felt rather than perceived
the presence of Madame upon the bank above. Turning as she addressed
me, I glanced up, holding the untied rope in my hand.

"You fear Spaniards may be near," she said quickly, as if she had
deciphered my hidden thought.

"No, Madame," I replied, scarcely able to conceal astonishment at her
penetration, yet eager to quiet alarm, particularly as I had no
occasion for uneasiness. "I merely feel a curiosity to examine that
odd rock beside the entrance--the one we passed on the right."

"Geoffrey Benteen," she said firmly, stepping down the sloping bank
until she stood beside me, "there is no occasion for your attempting
deceit with me. Besides, you are too open-hearted a man to deceive any
one. I have noticed