to the chilly blast.
Seaforth groaned now and then as he struggled with the tent, while
Alton tramped into the forest with the axe, but he came back presently
with an armful of resinous chips, and his comrade's spirits rose a
trifle when a crackling fire flung its red flicker through the creeping
shadows. It hissed as the gusts lashed it with the rain, but the
blackened and dinted kettle boiled, and while they ate and drank the
smoke-flavoured tea, a little warmth crept with the pungent vapour into
the tent.

The bush was dim and shadowy before the meal was finished, but Alton
flung fresh branches on the fire, and the blaze that whirled aloft rent
a track of radiance through the rain, and called up the vague outlines
of the columnar trunks. Then he stretched himself out upon an armful
of dripping twigs, and his garments steamed about him as he lighted an
old blackened pipe. Seaforth lay amidst the packages, feeling
blissfully drowsy as the warmth crept slowly into his aching limbs.
Overhead the pine branches, wailed in wild harmonies, and the showers
they shook down beat upon the tent.

"It seems to me this journey might have begun better," said Alton
presently.

Seaforth nodded full concurrence. "It would be a little difficult to
imagine it commencing very much worse. Wouldn't it have been wiser if
you had waited a little longer, Harry?"

Alton seemed to notice something unusual in his companion's inflection.
"You will have to talk straighter, Charley," he said.

Seaforth, who saw the glint in his eyes, laughed. "I merely meant that
spring is coming, and it would be a trifle warmer then. I'm inclined
to be a little cantankerous to-night, but, of course, it is not my
business how long you stayed at the ranch."

"No," said Alton dryly, "I don't think it is. Spring would have been
nicer, but, you see, Hallam was crowding me. Did anything else strike
you, Charley?"

"Nothing of much importance," said Seaforth, smiling. "Only that while
we lie shivering here Hallam is probably dining in state in the big
hotel at Vancouver. Jingling glasses, good wine, light and warmth,
flowers and silver on the table. The contrast's a little exasperating."

Alton glanced at the saturated canvas and his steaming clothes, while
Seaforth, for no apparent reason, stretched out one foot and kicked
over the dinted kettle.

"There are folks who would think that's only fit," he said. "Mr.
Hallam is one of the men who are b