You are at perfect liberty either to accompany me or to hunt for safety elsewhere, as you wish." I never so much as glanced behind, as I went up the beach, now shrouded in the swift-descending night; but I was aware that he kept but a step behind me.

Once I heard him swear; but there was no more speaking between us, until, in the darkness, I stumbled and partially fell over a dead body outstretched upon the sand.
"A Miami, judging from the fringe of his leggings," I said briefly, from my knees.

"One of the advance guard, no doubt, brought down in flight.

'T is good luck, though, De Croix, for the fellow has retained his rifle.

Perchance if you be well armed also, it may yield you fresh courage." "_Parbleu_! 'tis not courage I lack," he returned, with something of his old-time spirit, "but I hate greatly to yield up a chance for life on so mad an errand.