erpreted, that
there was a camp of Indians engaged in cutting wild hay, seven miles
off, and that a wagon and team could be got there next morning, to carry
them and their goods to the Warehouse. At the mention of seven miles,
Garth looked dubiously at Natalie, but she stoutly averred her ability
to do it twice if necessary, and since nothing better offered, Garth
hired the boys to show the way and carry the baggage.

The _Aurora Borealis_ presently backed off, and blithely kicking up the
water astern, disappeared down the river. Her going out severed their
last bond with the world of civilization and henceforth they must fend
for themselves in the wilderness. Natalie looked around at the grim,
empty woods, and at the strange, alien boys who were to conduct them;
and instinctively put out her hand to Garth.

The eldest and smartest of the breeds was a beady-eyed youth answering
to the name of Pake. When the _Aurora_ passed out of sight his demeanour
changed. It was not that he became openly insolent, but what was harder
for Garth to deal with, he was blandly and blankly indifferent to the
whites. Garth inwardly fumed, and there was a heavy weight of anxiety,
too, for Natalie. Pake constructed packing harness out of rope, and
divided all their goods into five lots, of which four were of about
equal weight, and the fifth lighter. This one Garth supposed was for
Natalie, though he thought it too heavy, but to his astonishment he
learned Pake intended the light pack for himself, and one of the others
for Natalie. Upon Garth's vigorous objections, Pake coolly added the
greater part of Natalie's load to Garth's.

Hampered as he was by his augmented pack, Garth still managed to carry
his rifle across his arm. And yet St. Paul, who interpreted for him, had
assured him these were good boys and would treat him well. St. Paul was
right, when Garth had been in the country longer he learned this was
simply the breed way. Only superior, or at least equal, numbers will
impress them, and then they are obsequious enough in good sooth.

Whatever Natalie thought of their situation, she put on a bold air. As
they started Indian file, under the great trees in the gathering dusk,
the three swarthy youths in advance bowed under their packs: "Look!"
she cried. "Isn't it like the frontispiece to a book of adventure!"

The breeds inherit from the red side of the house a shuffling half-trot,
produced with steady shoulders and rolling hips, th