But I saw merely a tangled mass of wild
vegetation, so thick and high as to obstruct the view. Narrow
footpaths branched in either direction, and I chose to follow the one
to the right, thinking thus to skirt the fence, and learn what was
beyond, before approaching the negro cabins on the opposite side. To
my surprise, I found myself suddenly standing on the bank of a narrow
bayou, the water clear, yet apparently motionless, the opposite shore
heavily timbered. Owing to a sharp curve I could see scarcely a
hundred yards in either direction, yet close in beside the shore a
light boat was skimming over the gray water. Even as I gazed, the
fellow plying the paddle saw me, and waved his hand. In another moment
the bow grounded on the bank and its occupant came stumbling up the
slight declivity.
He was a medium-sized, wiry-looking fellow, with olive skin and small
mustache, dressed in brown corduroy, a colored handkerchief wound about
his head in lieu of a hat. As he came to the level where I stood, he
stopped suddenly, staring into my face.
"Sacre! I thought eet vas Coombs. Who are you, M'sieur?"
"I came in last night," I replied evasively, "and was just looking
about a bit."
"So! you know Coombs, hey?"
"I 've met him--yes.
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