"Yes; but there's a difference between that and the other thing. It's
the needless waste of life and talent that annoys me. On the frontier,
we spent men freely, so to speak, because we tried to get something in
return--a rebel hill fort seized, a raid turned back. If Benson had
killed himself in breaking a horse, or by an accident with a harvesting
machine, one couldn't complain; but to see him do so with whisky is
another matter."

Harding nodded. Blake was not given to serious conversation; indeed,
he was rather casual, as a rule; but Harding was shrewd, and he saw
beneath the surface a love of order and a constructive ability.

"I guess you're right; but your speaking of India, reminds me of
something I want to mention. I've been thinking over what Clarke said
to you. His game's obvious, and it might have been a profitable one.
He wanted you to help him in squeezing Colonel Challoner."

"He knows now that he applied to the wrong man."

"Suppose the fellow goes to work without you? It looks as if he'd
learned enough to make him dangerous."

"He can do nothing. Let him trump up any plausible theory he likes; it
won't stand for a moment after I deny it."

"True," agreed Harding gravely. "But if you were out of the way, he'd
have a free hand. As you wouldn't join him, you're a serious obstacle."

Blake laughed.

"I'm glad I am; and as I come of a healthy stock there's reason to
believe I'll continue one."

Harding said nothing more, and they went on in silence through the
gathering darkness. The spruces were losing shape and getting blacker,
though through openings here and there a faint line of smoky red glowed
on the horizon. A cold wind wailed among the branches, and the thud of
the tired horses' feet rang dully among the shadowy trunks. Reaching a
strip of higher ground, the men pitched camp and turned out the hobbled
horses to graze among the swamp grass that lined a muskeg. After
supper they sat beside their fire in silence for a while; and then
Benson took his pipe from his mouth.

"I've had enough of this; and I'm only a drag on you," he said. "Give
me grub enough to see me through, and I'll start back for the
settlement the first thing in the morning."

"Don't be a fool!" Blake replied sharply. "You'll get harder and feel
the march less every day. Are you willing to let Clarke get hold of
you again?"

"Oh, I don't want to go; I'm driven--I can't help myself."

Blake felt sor