There were twelve oars in the boat passing us on the lower river, while four others sat with guns in their hands; besides these are the Marquis de Serrato and the Capuchin priest, making a total of eighteen, all of whom we must reckon upon as being fighting men at a pinch." "Faith, merely enough to make the affair of interest," muttered De Noyan, as I explained my words to him.

"Hardly enough even by your count, as the officer nurses a cracked rib, while the priest would prove of small moment when it came to blows.

I am for bearing down upon the knaves in sudden onset; it will require but a crack or two ere the villains let us by." "May the God of Battles place me within fair stroke of that accursed gray-backed emissary of Rome," snorted the Puritan, his red hair erect.
"I promise, Master Benteen, to smite as did David at Goliath." I gazed uneasily about from where I lay at the feet of Madame, only to perceive her eyes resting upon me as if she waited anxiously my decision.
"Do not suppose," she said quickly as our glances met, "that I shall shrink from the peril of encounter.

If it is best, you may trust me to do whatsoever may become a daughter of France." "Nor do we question it, Madame," I returned warmly, noting the unrestrained flash of pride leaping into the careless eyes of her husband at these brave words.

"But to invite such conflict in our present condition would be sheer madness.