f the hill.

This brought them to the water's edge at a point a third of a mile or
more below the teepees. Ambrose distinguished a bark canoe drawn up
beneath the willows. In it lay the outfit she had provided.

He put it in the water, and Job hopped into his accustomed place in the
bow.

"You love that dog ver' moch," Nesis murmured jealously.

"He's all I've got," said Ambrose.

Her hand swiftly sought his.

"Tell me how I should go," said Ambrose hastily, fearing a
demonstration.

Nesis drew a long sigh. "I tell you," she said sadly. "They say it is
four sleeps to the big falls. Two sleeps by quiet water. Many bad
rapids after that. You mus' land by every rapid to look. They say the
falls mak' no noise before they catch you. Ah! tak' care!"

"I know rivers," said Ambrose.

"They say under the water is a cave with white bones pile up!" she
faltered. "They say my fat'er is there. I 'fraid for you to go!"

"I'll be careful," he said lightly. "Don't you worry!"

"At the falls," she went on sadly, "you mus' land on the side away from
the sun, and carry your canoe on your back. There is pretty good
trail. Three miles. After that one more sleep to the big lake. A
Company fort is there."

Like an honest man he dreaded the mere formulas of thanks at such a
moment, but neither could an honest man forego them. "How can I ever
repay you!" he mumbled.

She clapped a warm hand over his mouth.

As he was about to step in the canoe Ambrose saw a bundle lying on the
ground to one side that he had not remarked before. "What is that?" he
asked.

"Nothing for you," she said quickly.

The evasive note made him insist upon knowing.

For a long time she would not tell, thus increasing his determination
to find out. Finally she said very low: "I jus' foolish. I think
maybe--maybe you want tak' me too!"

Ambrose's heart was wrung. His arm went around her with a right good
will. "You poor baby!" he murmured. "I can't!"

She struggled to release herself. "All right," she said stiffly. "I
not think you tak' me. Only maybe."

"By God!" swore Ambrose. "If I live through my troubles I'll find a
way of getting you out of yours!"

"Ah, come back!" she murmured, clinging to his arm.

"Good-by," he said.

"Wait!" she said, clinging to him. She lifted her face. "Kiss me
once, lak' white people kiss!"

He kissed her fairly.

"Goo'-by," she whispered. "I always be think of you. Goo'-by,
An