le by keeping away from the
younger man. He was no brawler, except as he felt safe, and this young
frontiersman was hardly the antagonist he would choose. It would be
more apt to be a blow in the dark, or an overturned canoe.

I cannot recall now that I experienced any regret for what had
occurred. Perhaps I might if I had known the end, yet I felt perfectly
justified in all my actions. I had done no conscious wrong, and was
only seeking that which was mine by every standard of justice. I knew
I despised Cassion, while my feeling's toward De Artigny were so
confused, and indefinite as to be a continual puzzle. I knew nothing
of what love was--I was merely aware that the man interested me, and
that I felt confidence in him. I recalled his words, the expression of
his face, and felt the sharp sting of his rebuke, yet all was
strangely softened by the message I had read in his eyes.

He had not approved of my course, yet in his heart had not blamed; he
would not lend himself to my purpose, yet remained no less loyal to
me. I could ask no more. Indeed, I had no wish to precipitate an open
quarrel between the two men. However it ended, such an occurrence
would serve me ill, and all that my plan contemplated was that they
should distrust each other, and thus permit me to play the one against
the other, until I won my game. I felt no fear of the result, no doubt
of my ability to manipulate the strings adroitly enough to achieve the
end sought.

The one point I ignored was the primitive passions of men. These were
beyond my control; were already beyond, although I knew it not. Fires
were smouldering in hearts which out yonder in the dark woods would
burst into flame of destruction. Innocent as my purpose was, it had in
it the germs of tragedy; but I was then too young, too inexperienced
to know.

Nor had I reason to anticipate the result of my simple ruse, or
occasion to note any serious change in my surroundings. The routine of
our journey gave me no hint of the hidden passions seething below the
outward appearance of things. In the early dawn we broke camp as
usual, except that chosen boatmen guided the emptied canoes through
the rapids, while the others of the party made portage along the rough
shore. In the smooth water above we all embarked again, and won slow
way against the current. The advance company had departed before our
arrival, nor did I again obtain glimpse of De Artigny for many days.

I would not say that