"I have worn her uniform, Monsieur."

"I thought as much, and fear my sympathies may be altogether with your
antagonist in the controversy. Yet what's the use of wasting life like
that? Surely there is fighting enough in this world of ours for such
young blades, without inventing cause for quarrel. Come, sit down once
more, and join with us in whatsoever cheer our landlord may provide."

As he spoke, he flung aside his cloak, revealing beneath merely the
well-worn dress of a frontiersman, with an army sword-belt buckled
about the waist.

"Come, Walter," he called to his companion, who remained standing,
"there is to be no touch of ceremony here to-night. Gentlemen, I am
Captain Wells, formerly of the army, now Indian agent at Fort Wayne;
and this is Sergeant Jordan."

The Frenchman bowed gracefully, and extended a card across the table.
The other glanced at it carelessly.

"Ah! De Croix; pleased to meet you. Think I heard some of our
officers speak of seeing you a month ago at Detroit,--McBain or Ramsey,
I have forgotten which."

"I recall a game of cards with a Lieutenant Ramsey, a rather choleric
Scotchman, with a magnificent capacity for strong whiskey."

The Captain turned inquiringly toward me, and I hastened to name myself.