He was bending over a caldron of
boiling meat, and I saw that my man was himself again, and that the
trencher called him more winningly than any voice of mine. I shrugged,
and went to the beach to make what toilet I could. The cold water
recreated me. I was more a man when I strolled back in the crowd.
And then I saw Labarthe. He was unbound and mingling with the Indians.
Leclerc was close beside him, shuffling and docile; he, too, was free,
as was Pierre. Four of us, and our hands at liberty. This looked
better. I hummed a tune, clapped a brave on the shoulder, and motioned
him to bring me meat and meal. But where was the woman?
I saw Labarthe working toward me with his eyes the other way, so I knew
he had news. He was nimbler witted than Pierre, though less valuable
on a long stretch. I dreaded Leclerc, for he could not be trusted even
for good sense, and I heartily wished him elsewhere. But Pierre came
to the rescue; he called Leclerc boldly, and drew him to the meat
caldron. I was satisfied. Three of us were working in unison,--and we
had worked together in this way before, and won. But where were
Pemaou, and Starling, and the woman?
Labarthe made his way near, and stood with his back toward me.
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