good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content
with the world's apportionment. His limbs were long, his hands
bony and strong. His air, of self-confident assurance, seemed that
of a man well used to having his own way. His forehead was high
and somewhat rugged. Indeed, all his features were in large mold,
like the man himself, as though he had come from a day when skin
garments made the proper garb of men. As though to keep up this
air of an older age, his long fair hair was cut almost square, low
down on the neck, as though he were some Frank fresh from the
ancient forests. Over the forehead also this square cut was
affected, so that, as he stood, large and confident, not quite
_outre_, scarce eccentric, certainly distinguished in appearance,
he had a half-savage look, as though ignorant or scornful of the
tenderer ways of civilization. A leader this man might be, a poor
follower always.

Yet the first words he uttered showed the voice and diction of a
gentleman. "My dear Captain," he began, extending his hand as he
approached, "I am indeed charmed! What a delight to see you again
in our part of the world! I must claim the pleasure of having met
you once--two years ago, in St. Louis. Are you again on your way
to the frontiers?"

The tone of inquiry in his voice was just short of curious, indeed
might have been called expectant. His gaze, admiring yet polite,
had not wholly lost opportunity to list the attractions of this
lady, whose name had not yet been given him.

The gentleman accosted declined to be thus definite; adding only,
after the usual felicitations, "Yes, we are going down the river a