Then s-some of the men heard of it, and there were bets on
it--ten to one he wouldn't do it and twenty to one he couldn't do it. So
Percy decided to try. Father was so afraid that some of the campers and
guides would help him that he had notices sent out at Mr. Willoughby's
suggestion offering a reward if Percy could be shown to have asked any
assistance. Oh, I know he's sick in there somewhere, or starving
or--dead!"

I had had a great light break over me, and now I stooped and patted the
girl on the shoulder.

"Dead! Certainly not," I said. "I saw him last night."

"Saw him!"

"Well, not exactly saw him--there wasn't much light. But he's alive and
well, and--do you really want him to win?"

"Do I?" She sat up with shining eyes. "I don't care whether he owns
anything in the world but the trunks. If I didn't think I'd add to his
troubles I'd go into the woods this minute and find him and suffer with
him."

"You'd have to be married to him first," I objected, rather startled.

But she looked at me with her cheeks as red strawberries. "Why?" she
demanded. "Father's crazy about primitive man--did primitive man take
his woman to church to be married, with eight brides maids and a
reception after the ceremony? Of course not. He grabbed her and carried
her off."

"Good Heavens! You're not in earnest?" "I think I am," she said slowly.
"I'd rather live in the woods with Percy and no ceremony than live
without him anywhere in the world. And I'll bet primitive man would have
been wiped off the earth if he hadn't had primitive woman to add her
wits to his strength. If Percy only had a woman to help him!"

"My dear," I said solemnly, "he has! He has, not one, but three!"

It took me some time to explain that Percy was not supporting a harem in
the Maine woods; but when at last she got my idea and that the other two
classed with me in beauty and attractiveness, she was overjoyed.

"But Percy promised not to ask for help," she said suddenly.

"He needn't. My dear, go away and stop worrying about Percy--he's all
right. When is the time up?"

"In three weeks."

"I suppose father and the Willoughby person will come to meet him?"

"Yes, and all the fellows from the club who have put money up on him.
We're going to motor over and father's bringing the physical director of
the athletic club. He's not only got to survive, but he's got to be in
good condition."

"He'll be in good condition," I said grimly. "Does he drink