e thought, but it set his heart throbbing for a moment. And
then--suddenly--it seemed to stand still. A key rattled, turned; the
door opened--and Marge O'Doone stood before him!

She was panting--sobbing, as if she had been running a long distance.
She made no effort to speak, but dropped at his feet and began sawing at
the caribou _babiche_ with a knife. She had come prepared with that
knife! He felt the bonds snap, and before either had spoken she was at
his back, and his hands were free. They were like lead. She dropped the
knife then, and her hands were at his face--dark with dry stain of
blood, and over and over again she was calling him by the name she had
given him--_Sakewawin_. And then the tribal chant of Wapi and his people
grew nearer and louder as they passed into the forest, and with a
choking cry the Girl drew back from David and stood facing him.

"I--must hurry," she said, swiftly. "Listen! They are going! Hauck or
Brokaw will go as far as the lake with Wapi, and the one who does not go
will return _here_. See, _Sakewawin_--I have brought you a knife! When
he comes--you must kill him!"

The chanting voices had passed. The paean was dying away in the
direction of the forest.

He did not interrupt her. With hand clutched at her breast she went on.

"I waited--until all were out there. They kept me in my room and left
Marcee--the old Indian woman--to watch me. When they were all out to see
Wapi off, I struck her over the head with the end of Nisikoos' rifle.
Maybe she is dead. Tara is out there. I know where to find him when it
is dark. I will make up a pack and within an hour we must go. If Hauck
comes to your room before then, or Brokaw, kill him with the knife,
_Sakewawin_! If you don't--they will kill you!"

Her voice broke in a gasp that was like a sob. He struggled to rise;
stood swaying before her, his legs unsteady as stilts under him.

"My gun, Marge--my pistol!" he demanded, trying to reach out his arms.
"If I had them now...."

"They must have taken them," she interrupted. "But I have Nisikoos'
rifle, _Sakewawin_! Oh--I must hurry! They won't come to my room, and
Marcee is perhaps dead. As soon as it is dark I will unlock your door.
And if one of them comes before then, you must kill him! You must! You
must!"

She backed to the door, and now she opened it, and was gone. A key
clicked in the lock again, he heard her swift footsteps in the hall, and
a second door opened and closed.

For