ls of water
that lapped about his lips. This did him good, and he walked with
greater confidence in himself and others as he returned towards the fire.
Had he been betrayed by Lakamba all would have been over by this. He
made up a big blaze, and while it lasted dried himself, and then lay down
by the embers. He could not sleep, but he felt a great numbness in all
his limbs. His restlessness was gone, and he was content to lay still,
measuring the time by watching the stars that rose in endless succession
above the forests, while the slight puffs of wind under the cloudless sky
seemed to fan their twinkle into a greater brightness. Dreamily he
assured himself over and over again that she would come, till the
certitude crept into his heart and filled him with a great peace. Yes,
when the next day broke, they would be together on the great blue sea
that was like life--away from the forests that were like death. He
murmured the name of Nina into the silent space with a tender smile: this
seemed to break the spell of stillness, and far away by the creek a frog
croaked loudly as if in answer. A chorus of loud roars and plaintive
calls rose from the mud along the line of bushes. He laughed heartily;
doubtless it was their love-song. He felt affectionate towards the frogs
and listened, pleased with the noisy life near him.

When the moon peeped above the trees he felt the old impatience and the
old restlessness steal over him. Why was she so late? True, it was a
long way to come with a single paddle. With what skill and what
endurance could those small hands manage a heavy paddle! It was very
wonderful--such small hands, such soft little palms that knew how to
touch his cheek with a feel lighter than the fanning of a butterfly's
wing. Wonderful! He lost himself lovingly in the contemplation of this
tremendous mystery, and when he looked at the moon again it had risen a
hand's breadth above the trees. Would she come? He forced himself to
lay still, overcoming the impulse to rise and rush round the clearing
again. He turned this way and that; at last, quivering with the effort,
he lay on his back, and saw her face among the stars looking down on him.

The croaking of frogs suddenly ceased. With the watchfulness of a hunted
man Dain sat up, listening anxiously, and heard several splashes in the
water as the frogs took rapid headers into the creek. He knew that they
had been alarmed by something, and stood up s