We are in sore
straits and a drowning man snatches at straws. It is this. The fire of
liquor is rising out there. Hear it in the rising note of the blended
voices. How long, think you, will they be content with the dance and
the chanting, the tom-toms and the empty fire? How long before we are
dragged in, to be the centre of affairs? In this plan of mine there is
room for one of us, a bare chance of escape. This guard behind,--he is
a powerful man, but, with every warrior wild in the circling mass
yonder, he might be engaged for the moment needed for one to dart into
the darkness and take to the river. Once there, the mercy of night and
bending bushes might aid him. What think you?"
"Truly 'tis worth the try. My blood answers the risk. At the most it
would but hasten things. But give the word and we'll at it."
"Nay,--we must understand each other, lest we bungle. As the plan was
mine, I take the choice of parts. There is a stain upon my conscience,
M'sieu." McElroy spoke simply from his heart, as was his wont.
"Throughout this long journey it has lain heavy. Though I hold against
you one grave offence, yet I grieve deeply that it was through my hasty
anger you were brought to such sorry plight.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219