at Charley estimatingly. But there could be no doubt of the
boy's straight-eyed, whole-souled devotion to Natalie; and he quickly
made up his mind. He told him briefly what had occurred on the way in.

Charley whistled in astonishment. "So that's the kind Nick Grylls is!"
he exclaimed. "He sure must have gone clean daft!"

"This Hooliam," Garth continued, "is too anxious, judging by others of
his kind, to get us on board. I suspect Nick Grylls has a share in this
outfit. On the other hand we have less than a week's grub left. What
have you got, Charley?"

"Nothing but sow-bosom and beans," said the boy disconsolately; "and
damn little of that! It isn't good enough for _her_!"

"Any chance of another boat?" asked Garth.

Charley shook his head. "No Company boat due for three weeks," he said.

Garth set his jaw. "Then there's no help for it," he said firmly. "We'll
have to go with Hooliam. I'll make him take our little boat along, so we
won't be entirely at his mercy; and I'll watch him close."

Charley leaned toward Garth. The boy unconsciously clenched his hands;
and in the intensity of his eagerness, his eyes actually filled. "I say,
Garth, take me along with you," he pleaded.

Garth, looking at him gratefully, thought none but a boy could be so
generous. "But I can't take you away from your own work," he objected.

Charley brushed it impatiently out of sight. "What does that matter!"
he exclaimed. "It can wait." He redoubled his pleadings. "This was what
I wanted so badly, Garth! To be a little use to her! I could help--you
think I'm just a crazy kid, and maybe I am, but I could think like a
man, and plan like a man for her! You and I could stand watch and watch.
Say, after what you've told me, I'd go near out of my head to see you
two sail away, and me left behind, not knowing what was happening!"

Garth was more moved than he cared to show. "You're true blue, Charley,"
he said in a low tone. "You come along!"

X

ON CARIBOU LAKE

From sundown until daybreak, the ki-yi-ing and the beating of the
stick-kettle on the shore desecrated the stillness of the night with
scarcely any intermission. Shortly after daybreak, the wind having
gone down, Hooliam sent word to Garth that he would like to start.

They were ready in a few minutes. At the sight of Charley's bundle
with the others, Hooliam scowled and muttered in Cree.

"Says he can't take me," said Charley.

Garth flushed angrily. "This was al