next instant, to roll over upon its
side, dead.

Ralph gave one glance at the body of the great bear; the next moment its
presence was forgotten. He passed on, and confronted those whom he had
unwillingly rescued. The depression of his brows, and the glint of his
eyes and merciless set of his jaws, all gave warning of a danger that
dwarfed to insignificance that which had just passed.

"I 'lows I hadn't reckoned to find you wi' company," Ralph said,
addressing his brother with a quietness that ill-concealed the storm
underlying his words. "Mebbe I didn't calc'late to find you, anyway."

There was no mistaking the challenge in his look. Nick saw it. His
impetuous temper rose in response. The bear was forgotten. Neither
alluded to it. The two men faced each other with the concentrated
jealous hatred of weeks' growth uppermost in their hearts.

"Wal, I guess y've found me. What then?"

Nick squared himself, and his expression was as relentless as that of
the older man.

Ralph paid no heed to the taunting inquiry. He looked over at Aim-sa,
who had shrunk away. Now she answered his look with one that was
half-pleading, half-amused. She realized the feud which was between the
men, but she did not understand the rugged, forceful natures which she
had so stirred.

"Say, gal," Ralph said abruptly. "Ther's jest us two. Ye gave yourself
to me that night, maybe you've give yourself to him since. Which is it,
him or me? Ye'll choose right here. Choose!"

Nick turned and looked at her with strained, anxious eyes. Ralph's face
belied his outward calm.

"An' what if Aim-sa loves neither?" the woman asked, with a laugh in
which there was no mirth, and some fear.

"Then she's lied."

Ralph's teeth shut with a snap.

Aim-sa looked from one to the other. She was beginning to understand,
and with understanding came a great dread. She longed to flee, but knew
that to do so would be impossible.

"Aim-sa loves both," she said at last.

There was a long, deathly silence. The brooding solitude of the wild was
never more pronounced than at that moment.

Then Ralph looked into the face of his brother, and Nick returned his
gaze.

"You hear?" said Ralph. "She is an Injun, I guess, an' don't know no
better. Maybe we'd best settle it for her."

"That's so."

Ralph threw off his buckskin shirt. Nick removed his heavy clothing.

"Stand aside, woman," said Ralph. "Ye'll wait by, an' your man'll claim
ye."

"Knives?" said Nick