Jordan," he added, speaking as if he were in command, "lead back along the path we came.

_Sacre_! the old bear was gruff enough over the delay of our search; he will be savage now." I know not how Jordan ever found his way back, for the sliding sand had already obliterated all evidences of former travel; but I walked sullenly beside him, leaving De Croix to minister to the needs of the girl as best he might.

I felt so dull beside his ready tongue that, in spite of my real liking for the fellow, his presence angered me.

'T is strange we should ever envy in others what we do not ourselves possess, ignoring those traits of character we have which they no less desire.
So to me then it seemed altogether useless to contend for the heart of a woman,--such a woman, at least, as this laughing Toinette,--against the practised wiles of so gay and debonair a cavalier.

I steeled my ears to the light badinage they continued to indulge in, and ploughed on through the heavy sand at Jordan's heels, in no mood for converse with any one.
We came upon the camp suddenly, and discovered Captain Wells pacing back and forth, his stern face dark with annoyance.