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"Pah! your doughty Frenchan Cairnes, casting an eager glance toward the provisions dropped upon the ground "Tosuch labor It may happen we shall have no other chance to eat, and it would go hard against es Ecod! it would try Job hie hi comfortable in our own stomachs What say ye, Master Benteen?"

"That our first effort be with the stones," I returned with decision "After that, we can partake of food The latter can be made ready while ork, if Madame will spread it here at the mouth of the cave--a bit farther back would prove better, under the protection of that slab of rock"

Rejoicing at thus inducing our fair companion to seek safety under shelter, the three of us fell to ith energy Under the direction of De Noyan, the scattered bowlders were rolled up the steep and piled in a solid wall, reaching nearly waist high, co the open front of the cave, its centre so solidly against the face of the cliff It did etic orders, swearing at us ardently in army French as if ere of his own squadron of chasseurs

It required the greater part of an hour to get our rude rock rampart in such condition as to satisfy thethat time we toiled as men must when their lives are soon to depend upon the result of their labor

"Saprista!" he co about hih another row then the curves Still, 'tis not likely we shall be called upon to battle against gun or pike, and if too high the stones ht interfere with proper thrust of the sword So let us lunch Egad! the sight of that hungry preacher haunts -spell we get ere the ball opens will serve to steady our nerves for the onset Have you spread forth a rare feast for our cohtly against the great stone, sentlemen," she returned bravely, "and I trust you may consider it a pleasant duty to do full justice to my skill"