in
the camp, at least, I needn't envy either of those chaps."

"Of course not!"

"Oh, you torment! Your words are all right,--but your emphasis is a
little too strong. Carly, look me straight in the eyes and tell me you
don't care for either of them!"

"Either of your eyes?"

"Silly! Well, yes, then, tell me that!"

The chicory flower eyes looked into the great, dark ones, and for a
moment there was silence. The blue eyes were sweet and true, and they
burned with a strong, deep lovelight. The eyes that gazed into them fell
a little and seemed unable to meet them squarely.

"What is it, Carly? What is it, dear?" he begged.

"Nothing," she said, lightly. "I do l-like you, Peter,--better than any
man I know----"

"Better than Kit Shelby?"

"Yes."

"Better than Gil Blair?"

"Yes."

"They're the ones I most feared. And mostly because I didn't want to go
on a trip with a man I'm jealous of! That would be a fine kettle of
fish!"

"Well, you won't do that. Don't worry about them,--or any one else."

"Oh, you blessed little girl! Carly, dearest, why can't you say yes,
now? Won't you, Carly,--please."

The caressing voice was low and gentle, the pleading blue eyes were very
earnest, but Carlotta still shook her head.

"When you come back," she repeated.

"All right, then," and Peter's face showed one of its masterful looks.
"I'll accept your decree,--as I can't very well help myself, but just as
sure as you're sitting there, Carly Harper, I'm going to kiss you!"

And he did; gathering her into his arms with a gentle insistence and
kissing her squarely on her surprised red lips.

"There!" he said, "I guess you'll remember now that you belong to
me,--whether you call yourself engaged or not! Mad?"

"Yes," she responded, but the one swift glance she gave him belied her
words.

"You'll get over it," he said, cheerfully. "I'd like to kiss you again,
though. May I?"

"When you come back," she said, and Peter waited.

CHAPTER II

The Labrador Wild

It was late in July before Peter Boots marshaled his merry men and let
himself be marshaled by the guide, Joshua, on the trip of exploration
and recreation.

A liner took them as far as Newfoundland, and at St. John's, a smaller
steamer, the _Victoria Lake_, received them for their journey farther
North. This ship belonged to a sealing fleet and also carried mails. It
was not especially comfortable, and neither staterooms nor food were of
the best