covered without difficulty, and then she began
to tire. Even a vaulting ambition cannot supply a powerful body
on short notice. Her breath grew short and the water began to
run into her throat and choke her. She struggled on valiantly
for some time until Nyoda, seeing that she was going beyond her
strength, reached out and pulled her into the boat. Gladys
crouched in a disconsolate heap in the bottom of the sponson, and
refused to be comforted by the assurance that she had done
wonderfully well, all things considered, and that a number of the
other girls had failed their first test. "I'll do it to-morrow,"
she said, clenching her hands, "or die."

And she did. The old weakness overcame her at the same distance
out, but this time she had the presence of mind to turn over on
her back and rest, and went on again when she had her breath
back. Nyoda noted this manoeuver approvingly. It indicated good
sense. Gladys covered the last twenty-five yards by sheer grit.
Every breath was a gasp, the shore line wavered dizzily before
her, and it seemed that she was pushing against an immovable
wall. Nyoda watched her closely, and saw her rear up her head
and set her teeth and battle on against wind and wave. "She'll
do," she said to herself joyfully, "she has physical courage as
well as the others. She will uphold the honor of the Winnebagos!"

"That will do," she said gently, as the boat grounded noiselessly
on the sloping beach. Gladys's feet struck solid ground and she
opened her eyes in surprise. "Is it all over?" she asked
wonderingly.

"All over," said Nyoda. "Congratulations!"

She was borne back to the dock in triumph, to be praised and
patted on the head by all the girls, like a conquering hero.
Sahwah was particularly pleased at her success. "When you first
came I didn't think you had it in you," she said, "but now I
believe you can do anything you want to!"

"When may I go out in a canoe?" asked Gladys.

"Right this very minute," said Nyoda, and took her out for a ride
in the sailing canoe.

The morning song hour had now become a time of keenest pleasure,
for Gladys threw herself into the work with heart and voice. Her
strong, sure soprano led the girls through many a difficult
passage which they could not have attempted without her help, and
she taught them much about expression. She took great pleasure
in singing solo parts and having the girls hum the accompaniment.
This last arrangement wa