"It is," answered Mr. Haward calmly. "I cannot possibly go on in this
condition, your Excellency, nor can I dream of allowing my unlucky
accident to delay this worshipful company in their ascent of the
mountains. I will therefore take my servant and ride slowly back to the
cabin which we left this afternoon. Doubtless the worthy pioneer will give
me shelter until my foot is healed, and I will rejoin your Excellency upon
your return through the valley."

As he spoke, for the greater ease of the injured member, he leaned against
a towering lock. He was a handsome youth, with a trick of keeping an
unmoved countenance under even such a fire of laughter and exclamation as
greeted his announcement.

"And for this you would lose the passing of the Appalachian Mountains!"
cried Spotswood. "Why, man! from those heights we may almost see Lake
Erie; may find out how near we are to the French, how easily the mountains
may be traversed, what promise of success should his Majesty determine to
plant settlements beyond them or to hold the mountain passes! There is
service to be done and honor to be gained, and you would lag behind
because of a wrenched ankle! Zoons, sir! at Blenheim I charged a whole
regiment of Frenchmen, with a wound in my breast into which you might have
thrust your hand!"

The younger man shrugged his shoulders. "Beggars may not be choosers," he
said coolly. "The sunlight is fast fading, and if we would be out of this
gorge before nightfall we must make no further tarrying. I have your
Excellency's permission to depart?"

One of the gentlemen made a low-voiced but audible remark to his neighbor,
and another hummed a line from a love song. The horses moved impatiently