Tarzan demurred, but the officer cut him short. "There may be
fighting for one of these sections," he said, "and troops cannot
be embarrassed by civilian noncombatants during action."

"But, my dear lieutenant," expostulated Tarzan, "I am most ready
and willing to place myself under command of yourself or any of your
sergeants or corporals, and to fight in the ranks as they direct.
It is what I came for."

"I should be glad to think so," retorted Gernois, with a sneer
he made no attempt to disguise. Then shortly: "You are under my
orders, and they are that you remain here until we return. Let
that end the matter," and he turned and spurred away at the head
of his men. A moment later Tarzan found himself alone in the midst
of a desolate mountain fastness.

The sun was hot, so he sought the shelter of a nearby tree, where
he tethered his horse, and sat down upon the ground to smoke. Inwardly
he swore at Gernois for the trick he had played upon him. A mean
little revenge, thought Tarzan, and then suddenly it occurred
to him that the man would not be such a fool as to antagonize him
through a trivial annoyance of so petty a description. There must
be something deeper than this behind it. With the thought he arose
and removed his rifle from its boot. He looked to its loads and
saw that the magazine was full. Then he inspected his revolver.
After this preliminary precaution he scanned the surrounding heights
and the mouths of the several gorges--he was determined that he
should not be caught napping.