"

"Not yet, m'sieu', I am sorry, but it is not yet."

Alden laughed rather unpleasantly. "I believe you are afraid. I thought
you were a good canoeman--"

"I am that," said Jean, quietly, "and therefore,--well, it is the bad
canoeman who is never afraid."

"But last September you took your monsieur to the island and gave him
fine fishing. Why won't you do it for me? I believe you want to keep me
away from this place and save it for him."

Jean's face flushed. "M'sieu' has no reason to say that of me. I beg
that he will not repeat it."

Alden laughed again. He was somewhat irritated at Jean for taking the
thing so seriously, for being so obstinate. On such a morning it was
absurd. At least it would do no harm to make an effort to reach the
island. If it proved impossible they could give it up. "All right,
Jean," he said, "I'll take it back. You are only timid, that's all.
Francois here will go down with me. We can manage the canoe together.
Jean can stay at home and keep the camp. Eh, Francois?"

Francois, the second guide, was a mush of vanity and good nature, with
just sense enough to obey Jean's orders, and just jealousy enough to
make him jump at a chance to show his independence. He would like very
well to be first man for a day,--perhaps for the next trip, if he had
good luck. He grinned and nodded his head--"All ready, m'sieu'; I guess
we can do it."

But while he was holding the canoe steady for Alden to step out to his
place in the bow, Jean came down and pushed him aside. "Go to bed, dam'
fool," he muttered, shoved the canoe out into the river, and jumped
lightly to his own place in the stern.

Alden smiled to himself and said nothing for a while. When they were a
mile or two down the river he remarked, "So I see you changed your mind,
Jean. Do you think better of the river now?"

"No, m'sieu', I think the same."

"Well then?"

"Because I must share the luck with you whether it is good or bad. It is
no shame to have fear. The shame is not to face it. But one thing I ask
of you--"

"And that is?"

"Kneel as low in the canoe as you can, paddle steady, and do not dodge
when a wave comes."

Alden was half inclined to turn back, and give it up. But pride made it
difficult to say the word. Besides the fishing was sure to be superb;
not a line had been wet there since last year. It was worth a little
risk. The danger could not be so very great after all. How fair the
river ran,--a current of livi