“Well, there's three boys there,” said he, pointing to his sons, who walked in front, “that will pay for all they get. Will you ax the fellows how far we 're to go yet, for they don't mind me.”
“Are we near this same lodging-house?” said I, bluntly, to the guides, and using French, to show that I was no unfledged arrival from beyond the seas.
“Ah!” cried one, “a gaillard from the battery.”
“Where from, à la gueule de loup, young mounsieur?” said the other, familiarly catching me by the lapel of my coat.
“Because I am not afraid of his teeth,” said I, with an easy effrontery my heart gave a flat lie to.
“Vrai?” said he, with a laugh of horrible meaning.
“Vrai!” repeated I, with a sinking courage, but a very bold voice.
“I wish we were in better company,” whispered I to Joe; “what directions did you give these fellows?”
“To show us the best lodging-house for the night, and that we 'd pay well for it.”
“Ah!” thought I, “that explains something.”