,
after bein' with her, a-walkin'-like on air. Better waltz in while you
got a chance. Why, there was Emmy, a tidy bit of flesh as women go,
and we took to each other on the jump. But I kept a-chasin' pockets
and chasin' pockets, and delayin'. And then a big black lumberman, a
Kanuck, began sidlin' up to her, and I made up my mind to speak--only I
went off after one more pocket, just one more, and when I got back she
was Mrs. Somebody Else.

"So take warnin'. There's that writer-guy, that skunk I poked outside
the Opera House. He's walkin' right in and gettin' thick; and here's
you, just like me, a-racin' round all creation and lettin' matrimony
slide. Mark my words, Corliss! Some fine frost you'll come slippin'
into camp and find 'em housekeepin'. Sure! With nothin' left for you
in life but pocketing!"

The picture was so unpleasant that Corliss turned surly and ordered him
to shut up.

"Who? Me?" Del asked so aggrievedly that Corliss laughed.

"What would you do, then?" he asked.

"Me? In all kindness I'll tell you. As soon as you get back you go
and see her. Make dates with her ahead till you got to put 'em on
paper to remember 'em all. Get a cinch on her spare time ahead so as
to shut the other fellow out. Don't get down in the dirt to
her,--she's not that kind,--but don't be too high and mighty, neither.
Just so-so--savve? And then, some time when you see she's feelin'
good, and smilin' at you in that way of hers, why up and call her hand.
Of course I can't say what the showdown'll be. That's for you to find
out. But don't hold off too long about it. Better married early than
never. And if that writer-guy shoves in, poke him in the
breadbasket--hard! That'll settle him plenty. Better still, take him
off to one side and talk to him. Tell'm you're a bad man, and that you
staked that claim before he was dry behind the ears, and that if he
comes nosin' around tryin' to file on it you'll beat his head off."

Bishop got up, stretched, and went outside to feed the dogs. "Don't
forget to beat his head off," he called back. "And if you're squeamish
about it, just call on me. I won't keep 'm waitin' long."

CHAPTER XIV

"Ah, the salt water, Miss Welse, the strong salt water and the big waves
and the heavy boats for smooth or rough--that I know. But the fresh
water, and the little canoes, egg-shells, fairy bubbles; a big breath, a
sigh, a heart-pulse too much, and pouf! over you go;