ight not pass the exact point.

He was not long in finding the proper spot, and Elwood could see that he
was stooping down and busy at something. While he was closely
scrutinizing him, he suddenly became aware that they stood beside the
river, and the Pah Utah was engaged with his canoe. It occupied him but
a moment, when he turned around, lifted the boy over and laid him down
upon the blanket which was spread over the bottom of the boat, the
remainder was folded carefully around his body, and then the Indian
stood back, as if to command his young friend to go to sleep without any
delay or questioning.

The boy had lain but a short time when he found the blanket so
intolerably warm that he threw a portion from him. It was instantly and
rather roughly replaced--evidence that Shasta meant that his wishes
should be obeyed. At any rate the boy thought so, and dared not repeat
the act.

The great warmth of the blanket caused Elwood to break out into a
copious perspiration from head to foot, and caused him almost to gasp
for breath; but when he seemed only to meditate on relieving himself of
the superabundant clothing, the dusky watcher leaned forward to see
whether he dared violate his implied commands. It looked very much as
though the Pah Utah was acting as a physician to his youthful friend.

CHAPTER XLVII.

STILL WAITING.

Tim O'Rooney and Howard Lawrence, after making their way out of the
range of hills to the river-side, where their canoe lay, waited until
dark, in accordance with their agreement, before venturing out upon the
river. They were quite uneasy, and to prevent their trail revealing them
they dropped a few hundred yards down the shore, where they awaited the
coming of darkness.

"Worrah! worrah!" said Tim with an immense sigh, "this is a bad day when
we came to leave the youngster with the rid gintleman. A fine youngster
was the same--bowld and presumin'. It's a qua'ar failin', Masther
Howard, that comes to me."

"Yes, I am sad enough, too."

"Ah! but it is not exactly that be the towken of another faaling
intirely."

"What is it then?"

"Whin it's yourself that is lost and awandtherin' off by yourself all
alone, and nobody with yees, then I thinks it's yees that I loves more
nor him that stays with me. But now, whin it's Elwood--God bless
him!--that's gone, he's dearer to me than all the rest of the world, not
exceptin' yourself. But," and Tim scratched his head in great
perplexity,