speak English, and that unlocked her simple
story.

"My fat'er teach me," she said. "He is half a white man. He come here
long tam ago and marry Kakisa. He spik ver' good Angleys. When Watusk
is make head man he mad at my fat'er because my fat'er spik Angleys.

"Watusk not want nobody spik Angleys but him around. Watusk fix it to
mak' them kill my fat'er. It is the truth. Watusk not know I spik
Angleys, too. My fat'er teach me quiet. If Watusk know that he cut out
my tongue, I think. I lak spik Angleys--me. I spik by myself so not
forget. I come spik Angleys with you."

"Your father is dead?" said Ambrose. "Who do you live with?"

"Watusk," came the surprising answer. "I Watusk's youngest wife. Got
four wives."

"Good Lord!" murmured Ambrose.

"When my fat'er is kill, Watusk tak' me," she went on. "I hate him!"

"What a shame!" cried Ambrose, remembering the wistful face.

"I wish I in there!" she whispered again.

"Will you help me to get out?" Ambrose asked eagerly. "I can make it if
you can slip me some food."

"I not want you go 'way," she said slowly.

"I can't live locked up like this!" he cried.

"Yes, I help you," she whispered.

"Could you get me a horse, too?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "But many men is watch the trail for police. Tak' a
canoe and go down the river."

"Where does this river go?"

"They say to the Big Buffalo lake."

"Good! I can get back to Moultrie from there. Can you bring me a strong
knife?"

"I bring him to-morrow night, Angleysman."

"I will cut a hole in the floor and dig out under the wall."

Nesis was not anxious to talk over the details of his escape. "Have you
got a wife?" she asked. "Why not?" There was no end to her questions.

Finally she said with a sigh: "I got go now. I put my hand inside. You
can touch it."

Ambrose felt for the little fingers that crept through the slit, and
gratefully pressed his lips to them.

"Ah!" she breathed wonderingly. "Was that your mouth? It mak' me jomp!
Put your hand outside, Angleysman."

He did so, and felt his fingers brushed as with rose-petals.

"Goo'-by!" she breathed.

"Nesis," he asked, "do you know why Watusk is keeping me locked up here?
What does he think he's going to do with me?"

"Sure I know," she said. "Ev'rybody know. If the police catch him he
say he not mak' all this trouble. He say you mak' him do it all. Gordon
Strange tell him say that."

A great light brok