developing into a "crush," and liked to be alone with her. Nyoda
could not help seeing this, and with her deep insight into girl
nature knew that the solution of the problem which had worried
her so at first was in her hands.

By and by she slackened the speed of the boat, and calling Gladys
up into the bow with her, she showed her how to steer, and gave
the wheel into her hands. She made no mention of the occurrence
of the afternoon, not being clear in her mind just how to begin.
Gladys finally relieved her of the task by asking: "What was it
Sahwah was saying about me this afternoon when she was talking
with her hands?"

Nyoda eyed her calmly. "She wasn't saying anything about you at
all. She and Hinpoha were playing a game, a very clever and
original game, by the way, having an auction sale in sign
language. Sahwah bought all the figures but one, and then,
wishing a diversion, refused the last one. It just happened to
be the one representing you."

"I see," cried Gladys, breaking into Nyoda's explanation, "she
wouldn't buy me."

Nyoda felt weak inside and tingled with a desire to shake Sahwah,
but she never changed countenance. "I don't believe that ever
occurred to her," she said loyally. "You are so quick to jump at
conclusions, Gladys. Just because you couldn't understand what
they were doing you thought it must be something unpleasant about
you. Your outburst at that time frightened Sahwah so she
probably thought she had done something dreadful. Now Sahwah
feels badly and so do all the girls. You don't want her to go on
feeling that way, do you?"

Gladys said nothing. Nyoda slipped her arm around her and smiled
down at her. "You know that the girls are not trying to make it
unpleasant for you, don't you, now?"

Gladys smiled faintly. It was impossible to withstand Nyoda's
pretty pleading. Nyoda, watching her face, saw that she had
gained her point. "And you'll like Sahwah and let her like you,
won't you?" she said, hugging Gladys to her.

Sahwah was nowhere to be found when Nyoda returned to camp.
Neither did she appear when the supper bugle blew. Hinpoha
drooped visibly without her side partner, but Nyoda refused her
permission to go out and look for Sahwah. When it began to grow
dark Nyoda took her lantern and went into the woods by herself.
She soon found Sahwah crouching on the ground at the foot of a
tree, her face buried in her hands. "Sahwah, dear, look up,"
said Nyoda gently,