t was burning
hot. At this an awful, distressing, unreasoning fear came upon her.
She--she had killed this man, for--for he certainly was going to die,
she thought. Even in the big hospital she had never seen a face more
strongly stamped with the marks of impending death. It was frightful!

She gave him water which he drank greedily, calling for more. She had
to hold the cup, since his hand shook too badly. Dully, feeling
stricken with a great desolation, she prepared some tea and gave it to
him. She had found some biscuits in a box but he refused to eat
anything. Presently he was lying flat again on his bunk, with his eyes
closed, and when she spoke he made no answer. But he was breathing,
she noted. Perhaps he had fallen asleep. It might do him a great deal
of good, she thought.

The child had thrown herself down on the floor, next to Maigan, who
was stretched out at length, enjoying the welcome heat of the stove.
From time to time the animal lifted his head and looked towards his
master anxiously. He knew that something was all wrong, but now that
these other people had come everything would doubtless be made all
right.

For some time Madge kept still, sitting down on a stool she had drawn
to the side of the bunk. She had the resigned patience innate in so
many women, but presently she could stand it no longer. Something must
be done at once. Valuable time was passing and no help was being
obtained. Things simply couldn't go on this way!

Rising again she called the child.

"We must go and get a doctor at once," she whispered, breathlessly.
"I--I'm horribly afraid. Come outside with me."

She caught the little girl's arm in her impatience, and took her out.

"Your--your friend, Monsieur Hugo, is dreadfully ill, do you
understand, child? I heard your mother say that one could telegraph
from Carcajou for a doctor. We've got to do it! How long would it take
me to get there?"

The girl was evidently scared, but she looked at Madge with some of
the practical sense of one versed with the difficulties of life in the
wilds.

"If you 'lone you never get dere. If Maigan work for you maybe
three-four hour," answered the child. "Heem go a leetle way den turn
back for de shack. No leave master."

There came upon Madge a dreadful feeling of helplessness. The man
looked terribly ill; she felt that he was probably going to die. This
great wilderness suddenly grew as wicked in her eyes as that of the
city. Nay, it was e