"For Master Stanhope not to be bitten twice by the same dog!"
Our amazement you may guess: M. de Radisson, suspicious of treachery and private trade and piracy on my part; I as surprised to learn that I had a well-wisher as I had been to discover an unknown foe; and Godefroy, all cock-a-whoop with his news, as is the way of the vulgar.
"Ramsay," said M. Radisson, speaking very low and tense, "As you hope to live and without a lie, what—does—this—mean?"
"Sir, as I hope to live—I—do—not—know!"
He continued to search me with doubting looks. I raised my wounded hand.
"Will you do me the honour to satisfy yourself that wound is genuine?"
"Pish!" says he.
He studied the ground. "There's nothing impossible on this earth. Facts are hard dogs to down.—Jean," he called, "gather up the pelts! It takes a man to trade well, but any fool can make fools drink! Godefroy—give the knaves the rum—but mind yourselves," he warned, "three parts rain-water!" Then facing me, "Take me to that bank!"
He followed without comment.
At the place of the camp-fire were marks of the struggle.