Call me what ye please, Master Benteen, but I am too old a man, too long indoctrined in the faith, ever to acknowledge brotherhood with hirelings of the Romish church." "Companion with whom you please," I retorted savagely.

"But I tell you this, preacher, and once for all,--you 'll bear yourself like a human being to this poor lad while I 'm with you, or else make answer to me.
Is that plain?
I care nothing for your dogma, or your hair-splitting, but I know what fair play is between man and man,--ay, and mean to have it here, even if it costs you a split head." "I beg you will both be at peace, Messieurs," broke in the soft, caressing voice at my elbow.

"There can be no cause for comrades quarrelling over me.

I am not worthy a ruptured friendship.

Yet I fail to understand any occasion for your seeming trouble; has the older man some reason to distrust my robe ?" "Reason! Saint George! 'tis precious little that ever bothers him.
The fellow is a Puritan preacher--of the same breed as the Huguenots--and possesses a head as hard as an oaken plank." I nearly laughed at the unrestrained expression of aversion which swept the girlish face.