As for these pleasant-minded gentlemen who are not protected by their rank I beg to inform them that in my fall my sword arm suffered no whit." Turning, he beckoned to a negro who had worked his way from the servants in the rear, along the line of rangers, to the outskirts of the group of gentlemen gathered around the Governor and the injured man.

"Juba," he ordered, "draw your horse and mine to one side.

Your Excellency, may I again remind you that it draws toward nightfall, and that this road will be no pleasant one to travel in the dark ?" What he said was true; moreover, upon the setting out of the expedition it had been laughingly agreed that any gentleman who might find his spirits dashed by the dangers and difficulties of the way should be at liberty at any time to turn his back upon the mountains, and his face toward safety and the settlements.

The Governor frowned, bit his lips, but finally burst into unwilling laughter.
"You are a very young gentleman, Mr.Marmaduke Haward!" he cried.

"Were you a little younger, I know what ointment I should prescribe for your hurt.