"This is my quarrel, my friend! Do you keep back, and not bring down his vengeance on your head." 

 "That for his vengeance!" whispered Tamin, with a derisive gesture.  "I will take service with de Ramezay, as a regular soldier of France!" 

 "Even there," said I, "his arm might reach and pluck you forth. Keep back now, and let him not see your face!" 

 "Priest though he be, M'sieu," urged Tamin, anxiously, "he is a mighty man of his hands!" 

 I turned upon him a face of scorn which he found sufficient answer. Then, signing to him to hold off, I sped forward silently. No weapon had I but a light stick of green ash, just cut. There was smooth, mossy ground along the trail, and my running feet made no more sound than a cat's. I was within a pace of springing upon his neck, when he must have felt my coming. He turned like a flash, uttered a piercing signal cry, and whipped out a dagger. 

 "They'll never hear it," mocked I, and sent the dagger spinning with a smart pass of my stick. The same stroke went nigh to breaking his wrist. He grappled bravely, however, as I took him by the throat, and I was astonished at his force and suppleness. Nevertheless the struggle was but brief, and the result a matter to be sworn to beforehand; for I, though not of great stature, am stronger than any other man, big or little, with whom I have ever come to trial; and more than that, when I was a prisoner among the English, I learned their shrewd fashion of wrestling. In a little space the Black Abbé lay choked into submission, after which I bound him in a way to endure, and seated him against a tree. Behind him I caught view of Tamin, gesturing drolly, whereat I laughed till I marked an amazement growing in the priest's malignant eyes. 

 "How like you my lesson, good Father?" I inquired. 

 But he only glared upon me. I suppose, having no speech that would fitly express his feelings, he conceived that his silence would be most eloquent. But I could see that my next move startled him. With my knife I cut a piece from my shirt, and made therewith a neat gag. 

 "Though you seem so dumb at this present," said I, "I suspect that you might find a tongue after my departure. Therefore I must beseech you to wear this ornament, for my sake, for a little."  And very civilly prying his teeth open, I adjusted the gag. 

 "Do not be 

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