k told him to go. Pride
and common sense both urged him to obey--but he could not. He was like
a bit of iron filing in the presence of a magnet.

"I--I suppose I wanted to find out how you were," he said at last.
"Was that so extraordinary?"

She ignored the question. "I am well," she said.

"How is your father?" he asked.

She looked at him levelly and did not answer.

A slow red crept up from Ambrose's neck. "I asked you a civil
question," he muttered.

"If you want a truthful answer," said Colina clearly, "I think you have
a cheek to ask."

"I didn't shoot him!" Ambrose burst out.

"What is the use of our bandying words?" she asked with cold scorn.
"Nothing you can say to me or I to you can help matters now."

"Good Lord, but women can be stony!" Ambrose cried involuntarily.

Colina took it as a compliment. Her eye brightened with a kind of
pride. "I don't know what men are!" she cried. "Apparently you want
to fight me with one hand and hold the other out in friendship. Only a
man could think of such a thing."

Ambrose gazed at her sullenly. "You are right!" he said abruptly. "I
am a fool!"

He left her with his head up, but inwardly beaten and sore. Somehow
she had got the better of him, he could not have told how. He was
conscious of having intended honestly. This cold parting was worse
than the most violent of quarrels.

Simon Grampierre was waiting on a point of his land that commanded a
view up and down river. Here he had set up a lookout bench like that
at the fort. At sight of Ambrose he shouted from a full breast and
hastened down to the waterside. He received him with both hands
extended.

"You have come!" he cried. "It is well!"

Ambrose was surprised and a little disconcerted to see the grim old
patriarch so moved.

"Where is your outfit?" Simon asked anxiously.

"Half a day behind me," said Ambrose. "It is safe."

"Have you flour?" asked Simon.

"Flour? No!" said Ambrose staring. "With twenty thousand bushels of
wheat here?'"

"Have you got a little mill?"

Ambrose shook his head. "There was none in Prince George," he said.
"I had to telegraph to the East. It had not arrived when I was ready
to start, and I couldn't wait.

"I made arrangements for it to be forwarded; a friend of mine will
bring it in. Martin Sellers promised to hold the last boat at the
landing until October 1st for it."

"Wa!" said Simon, raising his hands. "That is bad! We need fl