“It must ever be as the Lord wills, friend Benteen,” he returned soberly, De Noyan surveying the fellow as he might some strange animal whose ways he did not understand.  “I am not one to draw back my hand once upon the plough.  Yet I have found you of a level and cool head in matters of judgment, and it is meet we exercise due care over this rare flower of womanhood who shares our dangers.  I like not the hard pull up this swift current,” he cast anxious eyes at the swirling stream.  “It is not clear into what additional peril it may lead, nor do I feel gifted at the oars, now the provisions bid fair to become somewhat scant.”

I waited for no more.

“The Puritan sufficiently agrees with me,” I announced to De Noyan firmly.  “We will pull on up this stream until we learn its true trend, and are beyond Spanish overhauling.  It will be best to lose no time in placing a good stretch of water behind us.”

During this controversy our boat had drifted against the southern bank, its side softly scraping the mud, its bow entangled amid the roots of an overhanging bush.  To my surprise the Chevalier, instead of picking up his oar, grasped a bit of the projecting root, and, sword dangling after him, coolly stepped forth upon dry land.

“You and your cursed canting preacher can do as you please,” he announced carelessly, staring down at us, “but if you desire to retain me as one of this interesting party, you will wait until I return.”

“Surely, man, you do not propose attacking the Spaniards single-handed?  This is sheer madness.”

He laughed lightly at the look of consternation on my face, twisting his moustache between his white fingers, his good humor instantly restored.

“Nay, most valiant hunter of game,” he returned gayly. “Le diable! you appear as horrified as your hellfire friend yonder at sight of a crucifix. Sacre!  I am not such a fool.  I know when the odds are too great, even although I wear a uniform.  Still, should I chance to meet obstruction during my ramble, it is not likely I shall run from it without a pass or two.  I merely return to our camp, and will be back presently, if naught unpleasant occur.”

“Our camp?  You deliberately venture your life, and ours as well, from mere bravado?”

“Bravado! Sacre! you do wrong to use such term.  ’T is of far greater moment than that—­I seek the curling iron I have just missed from out my toilet-bag.  I mind me now I laid it beside the tree while I slept.”

Before I could recover speech to stay him, he vanished into the thick cane.  It was a difficult task to make the practical-headed old Puritan comprehend the nature of his quest, and when it slowly dawned upon him for what trivial matter the Frenchman undertook so desperate a journey, there came across his seamed and withered face so odd a look of complete disgust, I laughed outright in my nervousness, discovering some slight response in the amused eyes or Madame.  It proved a good hour before the Chevalier returned, somewhat bedraggled of attire, yet with his prize dangling at the belt, and dropped wearily upon a seat within the boat.