ould say not, Master Benteen; nor is that
likely to occur. Yet what cause have I to worry regarding her present
comfort. Did you not say that the Queen pledged her safety and good
care? What more could I accomplish for her than that, even were we
back in New Orleans, beneath French protection? Saint Denis! you are
of a complaining breed, inclined to act as conscience for your betters.
True, there are some few things I greatly miss, that would minister to
comfort. I was ever careful in my toilet, and choice as to my wines in
town; still, if these savages have not lost my soaps and brushes, I
will strive to exist even here, and be content until a way opens toward
that which is better."

"I greatly admire your patience."

"Pah! 'tis but the long practice of a soldier. Yet I am somewhat weary
from the night, and, if you have talked enough, will seek rest to dream
of Naladi, trusting she may send for me ere long. Did you note the
beauty of her eyes?"

"I marked their cruelty."

"_Le Diable_! I ever admired spirit in a woman; 'tis the greater
pleasure to watch them take on softer light. In such orbs love shines
the clearer, once awakened."

I sat there some time in silence until he fell asleep. Then, realizing
how useless it was for me, wearily as my eyelids drooped, to strive
longer in thought, I sought another robe to rest upon, and was soon
happily unconscious also.

I presume some unusual noise aroused me, for as I awoke and stared
about, unable at the moment to comprehend my situation, I noticed, by
evidence of the sun shining through the entrance of the hut, it was
already past the noon hour. Consciousness becoming more acute, I
perceived, standing barely within the shadows of the interior, the
dusky figure of a warrior, unarmed, and motionless except for a gesture
of the hand which seemed to command my following him. Retaining
concealed within my doublet the sharp knife intrusted to me by Madame,
I felt little trepidation at the fellow's presence, nor was there
anything about his countenance to foster alarm, he appearing the least
ferocious of aspect of all I had observed among the tribe. A moment I
hesitated, then believing him a messenger from the Queen, I followed
his retreating figure out into the sunlight.

The village reposed in loneliness and silence, nor did I see even child
or dog playing before the square huts as we passed them. As we mounted
higher along the slope and began climbing th