You know how best to use it should things go wrong with us at the front." "I know," she answered calmly, "I have lived all my life within hearing of Indian tales; yet could I not prove some aid beside you ?" "Nay, little woman; there is scarcely room for three of us to stand at the wall; we shall fight with freer hand knowing you are safe from savage blow behind the rock.

Come, my lady, it is full time you were there now." She shook hands with us in turn, giving to each man a lightsome, hopeful word ere she drew back out of sight, and never before did I have such incentive to battle as I read within the depths of her dark eyes as she came to me the last of all.

For a moment after she regretfully withdrew her hands from my clasp I remained motionless, absolutely forgetful of all else, until De Noyan's voice, harsh now with excitement of approaching combat, recalled me to myself and my post of duty.
"It is time we took our positions, Messieurs," he said, bowing with the rare French courtesy of battle.

"Let Monsieur Cairnes find place upon my right, while Master Benteen, do you keep the left.

It will be better to crouch low until I speak the word, and then God give you both strong arms and hearts." From behind the roughly piled bowlders in my front I had a fair view up the valley, and was enabled to mark clearly the attacking party as it advanced cautiously toward our position.