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"Well, friend," said I, as we drew up in shoal water under lee of the rock, and I noted his short legs and stocky chest, "no doubt you are ater-logged, and a little healthful exercise will help to warht a fire for such purpose So bend that broad back of yours, and aid us in lifting the boat to cover"

He perfor with apparent ease fully one-half the burden, while De Noyan and I staggered beneath the reht behind the thick brush

"And why not a fire?" the stranger questioned abruptly, noticing Eloise spreading forth our stock of provisions on the grass "It was in hope of thus war the inner man that I consented to co frolanced aside at De Noyan and muttered hastily in French, "It will be best to tell him our story--'tis not likely he will prove an emissary of Spain"

"As you please; he is more of your class thanof the shoulders, strolled away

"You have uess," I said to our new acquaintance; "so we may as well understand each other first as last We have escaped with our lives froe on the Ohio"

He nodded, his shrewd gray eyes fastened intently on my face, his own countenance expressionless

"Who holdeth New Orleans?" he asked in a tone of interest

"The Spanish, under O'Reilly"

"'Tis what they told me above, yet I believed they lied Those with you are French?"

"Ay"

"And you?"

"Of Louisiana birth and English blood; five years I have been a hunter in the Illinois country"

He groaned as though the mention of the word awoke unpleasantplace for the elect, as I learned, having passed through its settleel unto that stiff-necked people Friend, thou hast an honest face, and I will say in confidence I have been ofttimes blessed of the Spirit in the conversion of souls; yet this people laughed athich the Alhty chose to adorn his servant Dost thou know the French settlement on the Kaskaskia?"

"I have been there often"

"Ah! 'tis verily a stronghold of popish superstition Recall you the huuenot, close by the ravine? It was there I abode in odly ospel speech, driving me forth into the wilderness, even as Jehovah's prophets of old Since that hour I have been a wanderer on the face of the earth, finding small comfort in this life; yet Ezekiel Cairnes is merely the poor servant of the Lord, the chief of sinners, and must abide in travail until He cometh"