the morning one pulls out to start a big job.
Anyhow, I'll own it's not my habit. For one thing, I know what we're
up against," Jim replied. Then he saw Jake's twinkle, and smiled. "My
notion is you have been quieter than me."

"Oh, well," said Jake, "you're not always very bright, but this trip's
a picnic after some we've made. If we go broke, we can come down
again; the last time we took the North trail we had to make good or
freeze."

"You hadn't your sister with you then."

"That's so," Jake agreed. "I reckon it makes some difference. Perhaps
you had better go ahead and talk to her. Carrie's rather fed up, but
she mayn't be as frank to you."

Jim urged the pack-horse he was leading and came up with Carrie, who
was a short distance in front. He wondered what he had better talk
about, but found it easier to amuse her than he had thought. Carrie
did not look tired now; she had a touch of color and her eyes were
bright. She laughed at his remarks, although he admitted that his
humor was clumsy, and did not seem to mind when the horse splashed her
with mud. Carrie had pluck, but he imagined her cheerfulness was
forced. By and by a knot on the pack-rope slipped and some tools and
cooking pans fell with a clash. When Jim began to pick them up Carrie
stopped a yard or two in front.

"You needn't hurry; I'll go on," she said. "It's cleaner away from the
horses, and one can look for the dry spots."

Jim gave her a quick glance. Although she smiled, her voice had a note
of strain. It had not been easy for her to pretend and he had forced
her to the effort.

"I'm sometimes dull, but I mean well," he said apologetically.

"Of course, you meant well. Jake sent you, didn't he? He knows
something about my moods."

Jim colored and, seeing his embarrassment, she laughed.

"You don't deserve that; I get mad now and then. The thing's my fault,
any way. I started well, but hadn't grit enough to keep it up.
However, hadn't you better pick those pans out of the mud?"

Jim replaced the articles and when he had refastened the load waited
for Jake.

"It looks as if Carrie had turned you down," the latter remarked.

"I'm not surprised," Jim rejoined. "I've been talking like a drummer
when she wanted to be alone."

"Oh, well," said Jake, "you haven't a very light touch, but I expect
she saw your intention was good."

"She did not; she saw you had sent me. Your sister is cleverer than
you think."

Ja