“To north of west.”

“Ay!  Are we, think you, thirty leagues to northward of where we left the Spaniards?”

“I should say yes, maybe ten leagues more.”

“I doubt the extra ten, but even at thirty it would be foolishness to retrace all that hard-won distance merely for the sake of keeping in sight of this muddy stream, the very water of which is unfit for Christian stomach, and of no value otherwise.  ’Tis my vote we strike directly east and north, following as straight a trail as possible until we find the great river.  It should be as easy travelling as along this bank, and will bring us out above the Spanish lines of guard.”

I know not how long I sat there gazing silently into his impassive leathern face, turning over within my own mind the argument of his words.  He was neither woodsman nor mountaineer, yet possessed some judgment.  Thus considering, I saw but one possible objection to his plan—­lack of water or of game along the unknown route to be traversed.  But serious scarcity of either was hardly to be expected at this season among the mountains, while the weary leagues of southing thus saved would make no small difference in the length and time of our journey.

“It appears to me our best hope,” I admitted candidly.  “It will involve clambering over rocks, yet yonder range does not appear high, nor of a width to keep us long in its shadow; besides, the lower reaches of this river are marshy leagues upon leagues, and to my mind walking will be easier if we take higher ground.  It is all guesswork at the best.  We know how impassable the trail will be below, and, even if we retrace our steps down the river, we shall have to make a wide detour to cross this mad stream.  But wait; we have heard no word from Madame de Noyan.”

She also was looking upon those cool, blue hills, apparently close at hand, but turned instantly at my addressing her, making quick and confident answer.

“My word is only this, Geoffrey Benteen:  you are a woodsman, better capable of such decision than any woman whose life has been lived within the town.  I go cheerfully wheresoever your choice lies.”

It has ever been a source of strength to me to be thoroughly trusted by some other, and I instantly arose to my feet, feeling a new man under the inspiration of these heartsome words.

“Then that matter is decided,” I announced, a ring of confidence in my voice.  “We will break bread once more, and then commence our journey.”

“Sacre!” ejaculated the Captain, yet lolling upon his back, “if it be like that same biscuit I had an hour since, breaking it will prove no small matter.”

The blazing sun stood an hour low in the west when we divided our small stock of necessaries so as to transport them, and, with merely a last regretful glance at the damaged boat which had been our home so long, turned our faces hopefully toward those northern hills, commencing a journey destined to prove for more than one a trip unto death.  God’s way is best, and there is a noble purpose in it all; for had we that day been enabled to view the future, not a single step would we have taken, nor should I have had in my memory a tale worthy of being written down.