But she has become as a wild bird out here, and is a most perplexing vixen, laughing at my protestations, so that indeed I hardly know whether it would be worth the risk to stay." Hateful and selfish as these words sounded, and much as I longed to strike the lips that uttered them so coolly, yet their utterance brought a comfort to my heart, and I stared at the fellow, biting my tongue to keep back the words of disgust I felt.
"So this is the measure of your French gallantry, Monsieur! I am sincerely glad my race holds a different conception of the term.

Then you will leave me here ?" "Leave you?
_Sacre_! how could I ever hope to find my way alone through the wilderness?
'T would be impossible.

Yet why should we stay here?
What can you and I hope to accomplish in so mad a search amid all these savages?
You speak harsh words,--words that under other conditions I should make you answer for with the sword; but what is the good of it all?
You know I am no coward; I can fight if there be need; yet to my mind no help can reach Toinette through us, while to remain here longer is no less than suicide." I saw he was in earnest, and I felt there was much truth in his words, however little they affected my own determination.
"As you please, Monsieur," I answered coldly, turning from him and slowly wading ashore.

"With me 't is not matter for argument.

I seek Mademoiselle.