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"Tut, tut, reater ease, "an old soldier learns to take things as they come, without complaint; to extract sweets from every flower Surely here is a rare rose we have uncovered bloo in the wilderness; nor aes Besides, lad, what is there greatly to worry about? We are preserved, you tell me, from torture; food will undoubtedly be supplied in plenty, while the lady is surely fair enough to promise pleasant companionship in exile--provided I ever learn to have private speech with her What was the tongue?"

"We conversed in Spanish"

"I thought as much; there were certain familiar words But, as I said, why cos showered upon us Pardieu! it would prove us ungrateful wretches Surely 'tis better than the tender mercy of O'Reilly, ay, or the hardship and starvation of the trail"

"You have forgotten your wife"

"Forgotten? Sacre! I should say not, Master Benteen; nor is that likely to occur Yet what cause have I to worry regarding her present coood care? What more could I accomplish for her than that, even e back in New Orleans, beneath French protection? Saint Denis! you are of a co breed, inclined to act as conscience for your betters True, there are soreatly miss, that would minister to comfort I was ever careful in my toilet, and choice as to es have not lost my soaps and brushes, I will strive to exist even here, and be content until a way opens toward that which is better"

"I greatly ad practice of a soldier Yet I ah, will seek rest to drea Did you note the beauty of her eyes?"

"I marked their cruelty"

"Le Diable! I ever adreater pleasure to watch theht In such orbs love shines the clearer, once awakened"

I sat there so how useless it was for ht, I sought another robe to rest upon, and was soon happily unconscious also

I presume some unusual noise aroused me, for as I awoke and stared about, unable at the moment to comprehend h the entrance of the hut, it was already past the noon hour Consciousness beco barely within the shadows of the interior, the dusky figure of a warrior, unaresture of the hand which see concealed within my doublet the sharp knife intrusted to me by Madame, I felt little trepidation at the fellow's presence, nor was there anything about his countenance to foster alar the least ferocious of aspect of all I had observed a hiure out into the sunlight