' An'
she tell zat before all ze BATELIERS--all ze St. Pierre mans
gathered 'bout a beeg fire--an' they shout up lak wan gargon that
they watch an' keel you if you try get away."
Carrigan reached out a hand. "Let's shake, Bateese. I'll give you
my word that I won't try to escape--not until you and I have a
good stand-up fight with the earth under our feet, and I've
whipped you. Is it a go?"
Bateese stared for a moment, and then his face broke into a wide
grin. "You lak ze fight, m'sieu?"
"Yes. I love a scrap with a good man like you."
One of Bateese's huge hands crawled slowly over the table and
engulfed David's. Joy shone on his face.
"An' you promise give me zat fight, w'en you are strong?"
"If I don't, I'll let you tie a stone around my neck and drop me
into the river."
"You are brave GARCON," cried the delighted Bateese. "Up an' down
ze rivers ees no man w'at can whip Concombre Bateese!" Suddenly
his face grew clouded. "But ze head, m'sieu?" he added anxiously.
"It will get well quickly if you will help me, Bateese. Right now
I want to get up. I want to stretch my legs. Was my head bad?"
"NON. Ze bullet scrape ze ha'r off--so--so--an' turn ze brain
seek.
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