"I should be the first to applaud and follow you if there were the least use in what you are going to do."
"Do you think," exclaimed de Morin, interrupting him, "that it is of no use to teach all these people that we are not afraid of them, and that we hold their arrows and lances in utter contempt? I suppose you would like them to say, when they get back to their country, 'In the hour of danger the white men ensconced themselves behind the banana trees and looked on whilst their allies fought and bled for them.' It is not only of use, but it is indispensably necessary that we should stand high in the esteem of the Monbuttoos. It may be that the success of our enterprise depends on our line of conduct this very day."
"De Morin is right," said Delange. "In the first flush of success these people may make us pay dearly for our inaction and prudence."
"Then," said I, "if that is your opinion, I have nothing to do but go with you. I was present at the game you played under the shed; I will look on at the one you are going to play beneath the arrows."
"No, no," exclaimed de Morin; "you must stay with Madame de Guéran."
"Would you act on that piece of advice, my dear de Morin, if I were in your place and gave it to you?" I asked.
"I should take very good care to do nothing of the sort, my dear
Périères," replied my rival.
"Then do not interfere with me. The battle is becoming more serious every moment. The Monbuttoos have some idea of strategy, and have nearly turned the enemy's flank. I do not think the fight will last much longer."
"I do not care," said de Morin, "so long as it gives us time for one game at écarté!"
"Only one?" asked Delange. "Kindly recollect that I owe you still eleven thousand francs; I have just consulted my book. Eleven thousand francs in five points is a little bit too much."