ntle tone, taking March's
hand in his and stroking it, "I feel a likin' for ye, boy, that makes me
sad to think o' partin'."

"But we don't need to part, Dick," said March eagerly. "I like you too,
and I like your style of life, an'--" He was going to have added that he
liked Mary, and that he would live with them both all his days, when the
little cottage at Pine Point settlement and his loving mother rose
before him, and caused him to drop his head and terminate his speech
abruptly.

Just then Mary re-entered the cavern, and put an end to the
conversation.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

MARCH, THOUGH WILLING IN SPIRIT, FINDS HIS BODY WEAK--HE MAKES MARY A
PRESENT--THE TRAPPERS SET OUT TO SEARCH FOR THEIR LOST COMRADE--AN
UNEXPECTED MEETING--BIG WALLER WAXES PUGNACIOUS--NEWS OF MARCH--DICK
BECOMES MORE MYSTERIOUS THAN EVER--A RECKLESS PROPOSAL AND A HAPPY
MEETING.

Next morning, before daybreak, March Marston attempted to set out for
the Mountain Fort with Dick; but he was so thoroughly knocked up before
the end of the first mile that he had to call a halt, and admit that he
could not think of going further. This was just what Dick wanted; so he
laughed, told him to go back and take care of Mary, and he would advance
alone.

March returned, very much humbled, excessively pained in all his joints,
and feeling as if he had reason to be ashamed of himself.

"Oh! you com back?" cried Mary as he entered the cavern with a
crestfallen air. "Me so glad! Me know very well you no was poss'ble
for travel."

Mary was perfectly artless. She made no attempt whatever to conceal her
satisfaction at the youth's return, so he felt amazingly comforted, and
even began to recover his self-esteem.

"Yes, Mary, I've come back, 'cause I can't go forward. It's o' no use
tryin'; I'd just have knocked up on the way, which would have been
awkward for Dick, you know, as well as for me. Besides, I couldn't
fight just now to save my life."

"Well, you is right. You stop here an' git strong an' well. Me tell
you stories 'bout Dick, or other mans if you likes. We'll have no
fightin' to do. If there is, me take care of you. Me can doos a littil
in that way."

March opened his eyes very wide at this, and stared at the pretty little
vision in leather, but there was no smile or sly wrinkle on her
countenance. She was looking quite gravely and sedately into the iron
pot, which she happened to be stirring at that moment.

"Mary," h