On second thought, Gale yielded to an impulse to wait and see how Meade Burrell would act under fire.

If the soldier emerged scathless, it would give him a line on his character; if he did not--well, that would be even better.

The sight of his blue and brass awoke in the elder man dread and cowardice, emotions he had never experienced before.

Anyhow, he owed it to himself, to Necia, and to the others to find out what kind of man this soldier was.
The crowd was coming back to the steamer, which had discharged her few bundles of freight, and there was no one inside the log post as they entered except Doret and the stranger, who had deposited his baggage at the rear and was talking with the Frenchman at the bar.

At sight of the Lieutenant he became silent, and turned carelessly, although with a distrustful stare.