There
you cannot interfere, Father Montigny. They were taken in arms against us
upon our soil of Louisiana, and that they are my prisoners even you cannot
dispute."
"No," replied Father Montigny, "I do not dispute it; at least not for the
present. But if they are held as prisoners they should be sent to Bernardo
Galvez at New Orleans, and not be retained here."
He walked out without waiting for an answer, and Francisco Alvarez was
glad to see him go. Five minutes later the Spaniard sent for Braxton Wyatt
and the two remained long in consultation.
Meanwhile, something was stirring in the forest not far from Beaulieu. It
was a forest of magnolia, willow, and cypress, and of oaks, from which
hung great solemn festoons of moss. A deep still bayou cut across it, and
here and there were pools of stagnant water, in which coiling black forms
swam.
Night was deepening over the wilderness upon which the estate of Beaulieu
had made only a scratch. Pale moonlight fell over the drooping green
forest and across the deep waters of the bayou. The something that had
stirred resolved itself into the shadowy figure of a man who came out of
the heart of the forest toward its edge. He walked with a singularly agile
step. His moccasined feet made no noise when they touched the ground and
the bushes seemed to part for the passage of his body.
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