WE CHANGE OUR COURSE My attempt to recross the river proved difficult.

I had lost no small amount of blood from my wound, which, besides weakening me, had so stiffened my right shoulder as to render any strain upon the oars a constant pain.

Yet the excitement nerved me to the effort, and, crushing down weakness by sheer force of will, I drove the heavy boat straight through the low, overhanging bushes on to the soft mud of the bank.

Before I could arise to my feet Madame was standing beside the dripping prow, her great eyes staring at the blood stains discoloring my doublet.
"You are hurt!" she exclaimed, her lips white with apprehension.

"I beg you tell me, is it a serious wound ?" "Nay, the merest scratch, Madame," I answered hastily, for it added to my pain to mark such anxiety in her face.