oment her face was turned toward him, and he saw the
white shine of her teeth, and her beautiful eyes seemed glowing
straight at him.

And then, suddenly, she dropped on her knees and peered under the rock.

Their eyes met. For at least half a minute there was not a sound.
Nepeese did not move, and her breath came so softly that Baree could
not hear it.

Then she said, almost in a whisper:

"Baree! Baree! Upi Baree!"

It was the first time Baree had heard his name, and there was something
so soft and assuring in the sound of it that in spite of himself the
dog in him responded to it in a whimper that just reached the Willow's
ears. Slowly she stretched in an arm. It was bare and round and soft.
He might have darted forward the length of his body and buried his
fangs in it easily. But something held him back. He knew that it was
not an enemy. He knew that the dark eyes shining at him so wonderfully
were not filled with the desire to harm--and the voice that came to him
softly was like a strange and thrilling music.

"Baree! Baree! Upi Baree!"

Over and over again the Willow called to him like that, while on her
face she tried to draw herself a few inches farther under the rock. She
could not reach him. There was still a foot between her hand and Baree,
and she could not wedge herself forward an inch more. And then she saw
where on the other side of the rock there was a hollow, shut in by a
stone. If she had removed the stone, and come in that way--

She drew herself out and stood once more in the sunshine. Her heart
thrilled. Pierrot was busy over his bear--and she would not call him.
She made an effort to move the stone which closed in the hollow under
the big boulder, but it was wedged in tightly. Then she began digging
with a stick. If Pierrot had been there, his sharp eyes would have
discovered the significance of that stone, which was not larger than a
water pail. Possibly for centuries it had lain there, its support
keeping the huge rock from toppling down, just as an ounce weight may
swing the balance of a wheel that weighs a ton.

Five minutes--and Nepeese could move the stone. She tugged at it. Inch
by inch she dragged it out until at last it lay at her feet and the
opening was ready for her body. She looked again toward Pierrot. He was
still busy, and she laughed softly as she untied a big red-and-white
Bay handkerchief from about her shoulders. With this she would secure
Baree. She dropped on her ha