ions, but a unanimity of sentiment in the exertion of authority
that redoubled its force, for the garrison was thus debarred from the
support on a vexed question of the suspicion of a dissentient mind in
high quarters. Stuart had chanced to address his friend as "Paul," in a
fraternal aside on an unofficial occasion, and one or two of the Indians
overhearing it, and unaccustomed to the ceremony of a surname, had thus
accosted him,--to Stuart's delight in the incongruity that this
familiarity should be offered to the unapproachable Demere, rather than
to himself, whose jovial methods might better warrant the slack use of a
Christian name. Moreover, "Paul" was transmogrified as "Quawl," the
Cherokees never definitely pronouncing the letter P; and thereafter in
moments of expansive jollity Stuart permitted himself the liberty of
imitation in saying "Quawl," and sometimes "Captain Quawl."

As Odalie puzzled over this enigma, Mrs. Halsing became more personal
still, having noticed during the pause the crystal clearness of her
visitor's eyes, the fairness of her complexion, the delicacy of her
beauty, her refinement, and the subtle suggestion of elegance that
appertained to her manner, and--

"How old be you?" asked Mrs. Halsing, bluntly.

"Twenty-one," replied Odalie, feeling very responsible and matronly.

"Child," said Mrs. Halsing, solemnly, "why did you ever come to the
frontier?"

"We were lacking somewhat in this world's goods. And we wish to make a
provision for our little girl. We are young and don't care for
privation."

"You ain't fitten for the frontier."

"I walked all the way here from New River," cried Odalie, "and not by
the direct route, either--not by the old 'Warrior's Path.' We came by
way of the setting sun, as Willinawaugh has it."

"You can't work," Mrs. Halsing's eyes narrowed as she measured the
figure, slight and delicate despite its erect alertness.

"I can spin two hanks of yarn a day, six cuts to the hank," boasted
Odalie. "I can weave seven yards of woolen cloth a day--my linen is all
ten hundred. And I can hoe corn like a squaw."

"That's what you'll be in this country--a squaw! All women are. You'll
have to hoe all the corn you can plant." Mrs. Halsing shook her head
mournfully from side to side. "I'd like to see the coast towns agin. If
I was as young as you I'd not tarry, I'd not tarry in the wilderness."

Odalie was all unaffected by her arguments, but this talk, so deadly to
th