Part 29 (1/2)

”He will not,” said a voice over Robert's shoulder, which he instantly recognized as that of the hunter. He felt suddenly as if a great wall had been raised for his support. He was no longer alone among plotting enemies.

”And why will he not, and what affair is it of yours?” asked Boucher, his manner threatening.

Willet took a step forward, his figure towering and full of menace. Just behind him was Tayoga. Robert had never seen the hunter look taller or more charged with righteous wrath. But it was an anger that burned like a white hot flame, and it was alive with deadly menace.

”He will not draw because he was brought here to be a.s.sa.s.sinated by you, bully and bravo that you are,” replied Willet, plumbing the very depths of Boucher's eyes with his stern gaze. ”I like the French, and I know them to be a brave and honest people. I did not think that in a gathering of French gentlemen enough could be found to form a treacherous and murderous conspiracy like this.”

n.o.body laughed in the dusk. The silence was intense. A cool wind blew across Robert's face, and he felt anew that an invincible champion stood by his side. Boucher broke the silence with a contemptuous laugh.

”Out of the way, sir,” he said. ”The affair does not concern you. If he does not draw and defend himself I will chastise him with the flat of my sword.”

”You will not,” said the hunter, in his cool, measured tones. ”You will fight me, instead.”

”My quarrel is not with you.”

”But it soon will be.”

Near Willet was a rose bush with fresh earth heaped over its roots.

Stooping suddenly he picked up a handful and flung it with force into the bravo's face. Boucher swore under his breath, stepped back, and wiped away the earth.

”You've earned the precedence, sir,” he said, ”though I reserve the right to attend to Mr. Lennox afterward. 'Tis a pity that I should have to waste my steel on a common hunter. I call all of you to witness that this quarrel was forced upon me.”

”Your pity does you credit,” said the hunter, ”but it's not needed.

'Twere better, sir, if you have such a large supply of that commodity that you save a little of it for yourself. And as for your attending to Mr. Lennox afterward, that meeting, I think, will not occur.”

A long breath came from the crowd. This strange hunter spoke in a confident tone, and so he must know more than a little of the sword. De Galisonniere had just come into the garden, and was about to speak, but when he saw that Willet was face to face with Boucher he remained silent.

”Robert,” said the hunter, ”do you give me full t.i.tle to this quarrel of yours?”

”Yes, it is yours,” replied the youth, knowing that the hunter would not be denied, and having supreme confidence in him.

”And now, Monsieur Boucher,” continued Willet, ”the quicker the better.

Mr. Lennox will be my second and I recommend that you choose for yours one of three gentlemen, Colonel de Courcelles, Count de Mezy or the Captain de Jumonville, all of whom conspired to lead a boy into this garden and to his death.”

The faces of the three became livid.

”And,” said the hunter, ”if any one of the three gentlemen whom I have mentioned should feel the need of satisfaction after I have attended to Monsieur Pierre Boucher, I shall be very glad to satisfy him.”

De Mezy recovering himself, and a.s.suming a defiant manner, took the part of Boucher's second. Willet removed his coat and waistcoat and handed them to Robert, beside whom Tayoga was now standing. Then he drew his sword and balanced it a moment in his hand, before he clasped it lightly but firmly by the hilt.

Another long breath came from the crowd which had increased. Every man there was aware that something uncommon was afoot. Who and what Boucher was most of them knew, but the hunter was an unknown quant.i.ty, all the more interesting because of the mystery that enshrouded him. And the interest was deepened when they saw his swift, easy motion, his wonderful lightness for so large a man, and the manner in which the hilt of his sword fitted into his hand, as if they had long been brothers.

”I call you all to witness once again,” said Boucher, ”that this quarrel was forced upon me, and that I had no wish to slay a wandering hunter of the Bostonnais.”

Willet made no reply for the present. He took his position and Boucher took his. The seconds gave the word, their swords clashed together, and they stepped back, each looking for an opening in the other's guard.

Then it dawned upon the bravo that a swordsman stood before him. But he had not the slightest fear. He knew his own skill and strength.

”It's strange that a hunter should know anything about the sword,” he said, ”but it seems that you do and the fact pleases me much. I would not have it said that I cut down an ignorant man.”