"I am a goose; forgive me, brother, and thank you."
"Why so? on the contrary, I ought to thank you."
"How so?"
"Why, thanks to you, I am going to take a delightful walk."
Marksman did not answer; the hunters saddled and bridled their horses, and after inspecting their arms with all the care of men who are convinced that they will soon have occasion to use them, they mounted and rode toward the gate of the camp. Two sentries were standing motionless and upright at the gate; they placed themselves before the wood rangers. The latter had no intention of going out unseen, as they had no reason for hiding their departure.
"You are going away?" one of the sentries asked.
"No; we are merely going to make a survey of the country."
"At this hour?"
"Why not?"
"Hang it! I think it pleasanter to sleep in such weather, than ride about the prairie."