"And why--why should she insist in a matter such as this, which
properly should be settled among men?" asked David.
Again St. Pierre laughed; with an effort, it seemed, "She is
gentle-hearted, m'sieu. She laughed and thought it quite a joke
when Bateese humbled me. 'What! My great St. Pierre, with the
blood of old France in his veins, beaten by a man who has been
named after a vegetable!' she cried. I tell you she was merry over
it, m'sieu! She laughed until the tears came into her eyes. But
with you it is different. She was white when she entreated me not
to let you fight Bateese. Yes, she is afraid you will be badly
hurt. And she does not want to see you hurt again. But I tell you
that I am not jealous, m'sieu! She does not try to hide things
from me. She tells me everything, like a little child. And so--"
"I am going to fight Bateese," said David. He wondered if St.
Pierre could hear the thumping of his heart, or if his face gave
betrayal of the hot flood it was pumping through his body.
"Bateese and I have pledged ourselves. We shall fight, unless you
tie one of us hand and foot. And as for a wager--"
"Yes--what have you to wager?" demanded St.
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