labours of the "long trail." His face was no longer bathed in desponding
gloom; his eyes were shining, and his strong features had upon them an
expression of triumph. He brought with him an atmosphere as fresh and
joyous as the dawn of a mountain summer sky.

Over his shoulder were slung several moist pelts, newly taken from the
carcasses of golden foxes, and in his hand he carried two large traps,
which he was bringing home for repair. But these things were passed
unheeded by his brother; it was the voice, and the look upon his face
that unpleasantly fixed Ralph's attention. But a further astonishment
came to the waiting man. Nick shouted a greeting as he came.

"A great day, Ralph," he cried. "Two o' the finest yeller-bellies I've
seed. Most as big as timber-wolves."

Ralph nodded, but said no word. He knew without being told that it was
not the pleasure of such a catch which had urged Nick to cordiality. He
watched the coming of his brother with his quiet, steady eyes, and what
he beheld beat his heart down, down, as though with the fall of a
sledge-hammer.

As Nick's overtures met with no response, he said no more, but came and
stood beside the spluttering fire, while his eyes searched the gloomy
face of his brother. Then, with an impatient movement, he threw his
traps down and removed the pelts from his shoulder. He passed over to
the dugout and spread the reeking hides upon the roof, well out of reach
of the dogs; then he returned in silence to the fire.

His coming had been the signal for a renewal of hostilities among the
dogs, and now a sharp clip of teeth drew his attention. The two beasts
Ralph had separated were at it again. Nick seized a pole and trounced
them impartially till they scattered out of his reach.

A portentous silence followed. Nick was casting about in his mind for
something agreeable to say. He felt good. So good that he did not want
to tell Ralph what was in his mind. He wanted to be sociable, he wanted
to break through the icy barrier which had risen between them; he felt
that he could afford to do so. But ideas were not forthcoming. He had
but one thought in his brain, and when, at last, he spoke it was to
blurt out the very thing he would withheld.

"I've seen her," he said, in a voice tense with emotion.

And Ralph had known it from the moment he had heard his brother singing.
He looked up from his cooking-pot, and his fork remained poised above
the black iron lid. At last his