CHAPTER XV.
THE ARBITRAMENT It was twilight when the little cavalcade from Tallwoods arrived at the old river town of St.Genevieve.

The peaceful inhabitants, most of them of the old French strain, looked out in amazement at the jaded horses, the hard-faced men.

By this time the original half dozen riders had received reinforcements at different plantations, so that a band of perhaps thirty armed men had assembled.

It had needed little more for the average listener than a word telling the news.
Brief inquiry at St.Genevieve informed them that the little steamer _Helen Bell_ had passed the town front that day soon after noon.

As she depended almost as much upon poles and lines for her up-stream progress as upon her steam, it was thought likely she would tie up for the night at some point not more than ten or twelve miles up-stream.