Had it not been for our first meeting in the yellow clay of Washington's famous avenue, I doubt if the don were unmistakable, even had I not recognized buckskins. With that memory in mind, it is not unlikely that my mud-smirched condition only served to add to the quickness of his perception. We were almost passing, when he raised his eyes, which had been staring down into the miry road in frowning abstraction. His glance swept over me and rested on my face. A moment later he had drawn rein and was bowing to me. "_Por Dios!_ It is our gallant _caballero_ of the mire!--_Buenos dias_, Dr. Robinson!" "To you the same, Senor Vallois!" I returned. "It is a strange chance which brings us to a meeting in this wilderness bog," he remarked, with what I thought was a shade of suspicion in his proud black eyes. There was every reason for me to seek at once to place myself on the footing with him that I desired. Meeting his glance with a careless nod, I answered readily: "It is a pleasant chance which brings us together here, but not a strange one. Little travel comes from Philadelphia to the Ohio other than on the road we both have such cause to remember." "From Philadelphia?" he questioned. "I carry despatches from Colonel Burr." "You!" he cried, thrown out of his aristocratic reserve. But in the same breath he was bowing his apologies. "Your pardon, senor! I was not aware that you and Colonel Burr--" "Nor he, senor, until a few days ago," I hastened to explain. "Senator Adair of Kentucky was formerly my father's friend and camp-mate. He advised me to see Colonel Burr. When I started upon my return West, I came by way of Philadelphia. It did not take me long to come to an agreement with--" I lowered my voice and leaned nearer the don--"the man who professes an intention to strike off the fetters of a land dear to Senor Vallois." "_Poder de Dios!_" cried the don, reaching his hand to me with a fiery impetuosity of which I had believed him incapable--"_Santisima Virgen!_ You are one of us! You have cast in your lot with the new league of freedom!" It angered me that I must qualify. "Hold, senor! I did not say that. I have not gone so far--as yet." "As yet?" he demanded. "Your pardon, senor, but many such projects are schemed, and in the end prove to be--'castles in Spain.'" He smiled gravely and without offence. "Senor, I give you my word that I and my friends are prepared to build the Western wall of the castle." "Your word, senor, is sufficient. But there remains the Eastern wall, and I am doubtful of the builders. I did not ask for Colonel Burr's word. I preferred something more substantial. He has promised that I shall receive such proof upon my arrival at St. Louis." "Then you, too, go to the--to St. Louis?" "To the General," I responded, surmising that it was General Wilkinson whom he had hesitated to name. "You spoke of despatches." "Letters from the Colonel to parties we both seek, in St. Louis and New Orleans."