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"And now," I said, addressing the Puritan, as seated at the bow-oar, where I could see nothing of hi of his red crop, "how do you know this stream makes a circuit and approaches the mouth of the Ohio? It beareth a little to the west of north here"

"It was the Spanish captain ca aboh his nose "They called him Castellane, a little felloith pop-eyes, who pretended to light his pipe from my hair He pointed it out upon a h to the eye, but 'tis likely they lied, for they were all spawns of Satan"

"True or false," I commented coolly, "we seem likely to find out I have also heard somewhere--no doubt in the Illinois country--about a northern trend to this strea is certain, there is no hope for us otherwise; there can be no running those guard-lines back yonder"

"Do you mean we push on up this river?" broke in De Noyan, who hadout of our conversation, especially as the Puritan illustrated his knowledge by rudely tracing with a stuer a map on the board where he sat "Sacre! 'tis the dirtiest red slough ever I navigated Why not try the other thing? A brush with those gentlemen beloould be more to my taste"

"Ay, Master Benteen," boo of the other through his French gestures "Methinks the Lord of Hosts would assuredly strengthen the hearts of His servants for such a fray How many, friend, do you suppose they nuuess There were twelve oars in the boat passing us on the lower river, while four others sat with guns in their hands; besides these are the Marquis de Serrato and the Capuchin priest, hteen, all of eh to make the affair of interest," muttered De Noyan, as I explained h even by your count, as the officer nurses a cracked rib, while the priest would prove of s down upon the knaves in sudden onset; it will require but a crack or two ere the villains let us by"

"May the God of Battles place ray-backed emissary of Rome," snorted the Puritan, his red hair erect "I promise, Master Benteen, to smite as did David at Goliath"