uiringly.

Turning again to the pail, she drew forth half a boiled ptarmigan,
which she passed him.

"Let the friend of White Brother of the Snow eat. It is little, and it
will not drive away the Spirit of Hunger, but it will help to keep
away the evil Spirit of Starvation until White Brother of the Snow
brings food to his friend."

He accepted it and ate, not ravenously, for his hunger now was not
consuming, but with delicious relish. Manikawan did not eat, but he
presumed that she had already had a like portion.

Shad was able to hobble, though with considerable pain, in and out of
the lodge, and to assist in getting wood for the fire, and so far as
she would permit him to do so he relieved her of the task.

The following morning and for four successive mornings the cup of
broth and the portion of ptarmigan awaited him when he awoke. It was
evident Manikawan had killed them with bow and arrow.

He never saw her eat. It was quite natural that she should have done
so before he awoke of mornings, for he made no attempt at early
rising.

But he noted with alarm that Manikawan was daily growing weaker. She
staggered woefully at times when she walked, like one intoxicated. She
was weaker than he, but this he ascribed to his stronger mentality.

By sheer force of will he put aside the insistent weakness, which he
knew would get the better of him were he to resign himself to it. By
the same force of will he injected into his being a degree of physical
energy. But he was a white man, she only an Indian, and this could not
be expected of her.

Then there came a day when he awoke to find her gone, and no broth or
ptarmigan awaiting him. Later she tottered into the lodge, and
empty-handed laid her bow and arrow aside.

The next morning she was lying prone, and the fire was nearly out, for
the wood was gone.

"Poor girl," he said, "she is tired and has overslept;" and
stealthily, that he might not disturb her, he stole out for the needed
wood.

She was awake when he returned, and she tried to rise, but fell
helplessly back upon her bed of boughs.

"Manikawan is weak like a little child," she said, in a low, uncertain
voice. "But White Brother of the Snow will soon come. The suns are
rising and setting. He will soon come. Let the friend of White Brother
of the Snow have courage."

Shad brewed her some strong tea--a little still remaining. She drank
it, and the hot stimulant presently gave her renewed strength.