“I failed to observe your refraining from any on account of that objection,” I retorted, deeply amused by his words.  “But if you are completely satisfied, you may be willing to turn a moment to matters of business, and inform us what you propose doing.  In brief, will you resume your voyage, or is it your desire to cast your lot with us?”

He meditatively stroked the thin red stubble adorning his chin, contemplating me steadily.

“Doth that which assisteth to nourish and sustain the inner man bid fair to hold out?” he finally questioned in a tone of anxiety.  “I have need of sufficient food, both temporal and spiritual, and would not lightly assume any burden of suffering, unless it appear clearly as the will of God.”

“I know not how long we can withstand such onslaughts as those you have already made,” I returned honestly.  “We are fairly well provisioned for present needs, and when farther up the river will feel free to seek fresh game.”

“Ah! you have guns in the party?  You will shoot deer—­deer!” He smacked his thin lips greedily.  “A nice, fat, juicy steak would not go bad even now.  ’Tis strange how the mind runneth upon such carnal matters—­it remindeth us the flesh is weak.  Deer—­’tis best turned upon a spit, with live coats not quite touching it.  I would one might wander before your gun this very night.  Young man, did I not hear you name the destination of your party as the Ohio?”

“I so stated.”

“Then let me warn you, friend,” he crossed his legs more comfortably, resting back at ease, “that what you propose may not prove so easy as you dream.  The Amalekites and heathen, together with the worshippers of Baal, are everywhere along the upper waters.  By the memory of Old Noll, I have seen more black-faced papists in the past two weeks than I ever before laid eyes on.”

“You do not enjoy the prospect of a fight?”

“Nay; it is not that, friend.  I am, indeed, a preacher of righteousness, a man of peace, yet I might, upon occasion, strike right lustily for the Lord and Gideon.  I am not altogether unaccustomed to feeling carnal weapons of strife, but with yonder fair specimen of womanhood in our care, I should not deem it best to force a struggle, provided passage might be secured through other means.”

“Have you some plan?”

“Nay; it has not been revealed unto me, although I besought it of the Lord with great earnestness after the morning meal.  I will again wrestle in prayer before the throne, and no doubt it shall all be made plain in due season, if we faint not.”

“I take it, then, you propose forming one of our company?”

“Such seemeth the will of the Lord,” he responded soberly, “and I ever hearken unto His voice.  Thou didst state there would be plenty of food, so I abide with you.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE MOUTH OF THE ARKANSAS