His embarrassment was short-lived, and was relieved from a most
unexpected source. It was Gernois himself who spoke.

"If my captain will forego the pleasure of Monsieur Tarzan's company
for this once, I shall esteem it an honor indeed to have monsieur
ride with me today," he said, nor was his tone lacking in cordiality.
In fact, Tarzan imagined that he had overdone it a trifle, but,
even so, he was both astounded and pleased, hastening to express
his delight at the arrangement.

And so it was that Lieutenant Gernois and Tarzan rode off side
by side at the head of the little detachment of SPAHIS. Gernois'
cordiality was short-lived. No sooner had they ridden out of sight
of Captain Gerard and his men than he lapsed once more into his
accustomed taciturnity. As they advanced the ground became rougher.
Steadily it ascended toward the mountains, into which they filed
through a narrow canon close to noon. By the side of a little
rivulet Gernois called the midday halt. Here the men prepared and
ate their frugal meal, and refilled their canteens.

After an hour's rest they advanced again along the canon, until
they presently came to a little valley, from which several rocky
gorges diverged. Here they halted, while Gernois minutely examined
the surrounding heights from the center of the depression.

"We shall separate here," he said, "several riding into each of
these gorges," and then he commenced to detail his various squads
and issue instructions to the non-commissioned officers who were
to command them. When he had done he turned to Tarzan. "Monsieur
will be so good as to remain here until we return."