probably interrupted, were resumed. Hideously dirty and torn comforters
with protruding cotton filling, were spread on the ground; and
individuals began to roll up, feet to the fire. A woman indicated a
place for Garth and Natalie, side by side. When her meaning became
clear, they elaborately avoided each other's eyes, and Natalie beat
a hasty retreat outside. She never again expressed a wish to enter a
tepee. Garth, blushing to the roots of his hair, explained that they
preferred to sleep outside. The breeds let them go, with a shrug for
the queer ways of the _moon-i-yas_.

Garth pitched the little tent he had for Natalie under the pine trees
at a short distance, and spread her bed on balsam boughs inside, with
tender hands. Natalie had suddenly half collapsed like a sleepy child.
She disappeared with a murmured good night, and was heard of no more
until morning. Garth spread his own bed under the stars, athwart the
door of the tent. He remembered, before turning in, that they lacked
water, and returned to the tepee to ask where it was to be procured. As
he entered the second time, his attention was arrested by the sound of
Mary Co-que-wasa's name on Pake's lips.

"Who is Mary Co-que-wasa?" he asked, recollecting his previous
uneasiness.

It appeared they could understand English well enough when they had a
mind to. The women visibly bridled, as women white or red will do,
when an erring ewe of the flock is mentioned in company.

"Mary Co-que-wasa--one--bad--woman," said one, with the toneless
enunciation of a parrot.

Another volunteered further information in Cree, in which the names
of Mary and Nick Grylls were coupled.

"What's that?" demanded the startled Garth.

"Mary Co-que-wasa--Nick Grylls's--woman," said his first informant.

That was all he could get out of them. It did not conduce to the ease
of his first bed in the wilderness.

* * * * *

In the morning Natalie issued forth radiant; and Garth marvelled afresh
at the vision of urban perfection she made in the wilderness. He was
blowing the fire at the time; a typical tenderfoot's fire, all tinder
and no fuel, at which the breeds grinned askance. He soon learned
better. The breeds haunted their camp, enjoying their struggles with
that superior, insulting grin. Natalie, rolling up her sleeves,
announced her intention of cooking the breakfast, while Garth struck
camp. She who had never cooked under the best of condi