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Power, by

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Title: The Greater Power

Author: Harold Bindloss

W. Herbert Dunton

Release Date: August 9, 2009 [EBook#29650]

Language: English



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THE GREATER POWER ***

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THE GREATER POWER

BY SAME AUTHOR

The Cattle Baron’s Daughter Alton Of SomascoDust Of ConflictWinston Of The Prairie

For JacintaDelilah Of The SnowsBy Right Of PurchaseLorimer Of The Northwest



“I am afraid I’m going to lose him, after all.” Page 174

TheGREATER POWER

BY HAROLD BINDLOSS

Author of “The Cattle Baron’s Daughter,”

“By Right of Purchase,” “Lorimer of the

Northwest,”

“Thrice Armed,” etc.



With Frontispiece in Colours by

W. HERBERT DUNTON

NEW YORK

FREDERICK A. STOKESCOMPANYPUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1909, By

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY

All Rights Reserved



September, 1909

CONTENTSCHAPTER PAG

I Overburdened

II The Trail 1

IIIWaynefleet’sRanch

2

IVLauraWaynefleet’sWish

3

V The Flood 4

VIThe Breakingof the Dam

5

Laura Makes



VII a Dress 6VIII By Combat 7

IX

Gordon

Speaks HisMind

8

XThe CallingCañon

9

XIThe GreatIdea

10

XII

Wisbech

MakesInquiries 11

XIII On the Trestle 12

XIV In theMoonlight

13

XVMartial’sMisadventure

14



XVI Acton’sWarning

16

XVIIAn Eventful

Day

17

XVIII Tranquillity 18

XIX NasmythHears the

River

19

XX NasmythGoes Away

20

XXI The Men of the Bush 21

XXII Nasmyth Setsto Work 22

XXIII The Derrick 23

XXIV Realities 25

XXV Nasmyth

Decides26



XXVIOne Night’sTask

26

XXVII Timber Rights 27

XXVIII A PainfulDuty

28

XXIXA Futile

Scheme

29

XXXSecondThoughts

30

XXXI The Last Shot 31

THE GREATER POWER



The Greater Power



CHAPTER I

OVERBURDENED

t was winter in the great coniferous foreswhich rolls about the rocky hills anshrouds the lonely valleys of BritisColumbia. A bitter frost had dried thesnow to powder and bound the frothinrivers; it had laid its icy grip upon th

waters suddenly, and the sound of theiurmoil died away in the depths of throck-walled cañons, until the rugged lanay wrapped in silence under a sky o

ntense, pitiless blueness that seeme



frozen too. Man and beast shrink from thsudden cold snaps, as they call them, ihat country, and the rancher, who ha

sheep to lose, sits shivering in his lohouse through the long forenights with Marlin rifle handy, while the famishedimber wolves prowl about his clearing

Still, it is the loggers toiling in thwilderness who feel the cold snaps mostfor the man who labours under an Arctifrost must be generously fed, or the heaand strength die out of him, and, now anhen, it happens that provisions becom

scanty when no canoe can be poled up th

rivers, and the trails are blocked witsnow.

There were four loggers at work in redwood forest, one January afternoon



rolling a great log with peevies anhandspikes out of a chaos of fallen trunksThe Bush, a wall of sombre green

spangled here and there with frost, anmpressively still, closed in about thittle gap they had made. Not a soun

came out of the shadowy avenues betwee

he tremendous colonnades of towerinrunks, and the topmost sprays of th

cedars and Douglas firs cut motionlesagainst the blue high above. There was nwind, and the men’s breath went straighup, a thin white vapour, into the biting airStill, they were warm and comparativel

well fed, which was a good deal to bhankful for, and three of them toiledcontentedly, with now and then a glance aheir companion, who realized at lengt

hat he was beaten. In fact, it was only b



calling up all the resolution that was ihim that this fourth man, Derrick Nasmythhad held himself to his task since earl

morning, for there is no occupation whicdemands from man more muscular efforand physical courage than logging, as it igenerally carried on in the forest o

Western Canada.asmyth was a tall man, apparently unde

hirty, and leanly muscular, as were hi

companions, for those who swing the axfrom dawn to dusk in that wildernesseldom put on flesh. His bronzed face waalso lean, and a trifle worn. Considerin

his occupation, it was, perhaps, too finelchiselled, and there was a certain elusivsuggestion of refinement in it. He haclear blue eyes, and the hair beneath hi



battered fur cap was brown. For the reshe wore a black leather jacket witseveral rents in it, ragged duck trousers

and long boots. His companions were thusual Bush choppers––simple, strongarmed men of kindly nature––and Nasmytwas quite aware that they had undertake

most of his share in the work during thast few hours.

“Another heave!” said one of th

woodsmen. “Hit her hard, boys, and awashe goes!”

They strained sinewy backs and splendiarms. The great log rolled a trifle farthercanted, as one of them slipped a handspikunder the butt of it, and landed on thskids, which were laid like railwa

sleepers down the slope of a stee



declivity. The snow was ground down andrammed back about the skids, and thworn-out hollow gleamed a faint blue

grey in the shadow of the firs. The memade another strenuous effort as the lostarted, but in another moment it rusheaway, and, like a toboggan, sped

downwards through the forest to the riverce below. The skids screamed beneath ithe snow flew up like smoke, and thehere was a thunderous crash and stillnes

again. Nasmyth gasped heavily, anddropped his handspike.

“Boys,” he said, “I’m used up. I’ll g

along to the shanty and get my time.”He generally expressed himself much ahis comrades did, but now his clea

English intonation was a little mor



noticeable than usual. One of the othernodded sympathetically, as he answered:

“Well, I guess I’ve seen the troublerailing you for quite a while. Got to let up

or play out. It’s one I’ve been up againsmyself.” He made a vague gesture. “A

ittle rough on you.”Then he and one of his comrades took up big crosscut saw, while the other swung gleaming axe. Nasmyth walked bac

wearily through the silent Bush towardhe camp. His back ached, his head ached

and he felt a trifle dazed. The strengtseemed to have gone out of him, and hfancied that he was not very far from physical collapse. He was glad when hreached the shanty, where, after he had

shaken the snow from his dilapidate



boots, he sat down by the glowing stoveand smiled wryly as he looked about himThe shed was rudely built of logs, and

row of bunks packed with swamp-grasand spruce-twigs, from some of whichere hung portions of greasy blankets, ra

down one side of it. It smelt horribly o

acrid tobacco and cookery, but at least, iwas warm, which counted for much, andduring the last few months, Nasmyth hagrown to look on it as home. He knewalso, that it would cost him something teave it now, especially as he had

nowhere else to go.

Lying back listlessly in a lounge angenious chopper had made out of a few

branches and a couple of sacks, Nasmytvaguely recalled the comfort of hi



London chambers and the great pillaresmoking-room of a certain exclusive clubfor he was a man acquainted with th

smoother side of life. He had various giftwhich were apparently of no account iBritish Columbia, and he had enjoyed aeducation that had, it seemed, unfitted hi

for anything strictly utilitarian. There are great many men of his descriptiochopping trees and driving cattle iWestern Canada. Indeed, his story waone which, with slight variations, may bheard frequently in that country. Financiadisaster had overtaken his family. Friend

n high places had regarded him coldlyand he had been too proud to ask fofavours, or to profit by those that wergrudgingly offered him. That was why h

had gone out to Canada and spent severa



years there earning his board, and, nowand then, a few dollars as well, by bodilabour, until he went up into the Bush wit

he loggers.For a time he had somehow contrived thold his own with the other workers

hough logging in heavy timber is one ohe tasks one could almost fancy that mawas never meant for, and the loggerwhose overtaxed muscle fails him for

moment, is very likely to have the lifcrushed out of him by some ponderousslipping trunk. Perhaps, his lack oendurance was due to the excessive strain

or the ill-cooked food, but during the lasfew weeks he had been conscious that slackness was creeping over him. Once owice the handspike or peevie had bee



orn from his grasp, and the lives of hicomrades had been placed in peril. Hhad found it more and more difficult t

drag himself out to his work each morningbut he had held on until that afternoowhen his strength had suddenly failed him

asmyth was half-asleep when the cooand the leader of the gang came in. Thatter, who was a big, gaunt man wit

grizzled hair, stopped close by the stov

and looked at him.“Well,” said the gang leader, “what doyou figure you’re doing here?”

asmyth explained with some difficultyfor in the Bush, men acquire a certaipride in their physical manhood, and it inever a pleasant thing to own onesel

defeated. The logger, however, nodded



comprehendingly. He was a reticent, grimfaced person from Ontario, where thebreed hard men, though some have, also

kindly hearts in them.“That’s quite right. I’ve noticed it myself,he commented. “In fact, I’ve been figurin

on asking you to get out the last week owo.”

asmyth smiled. Like other men of hidescription in that country, he had becom

accustomed to hearing such remarkaddressed to him.

“I wonder,” he answered reflectively

“why you didn’t.”The logger appeared to consider. It wacharacteristic of him and the stock hsprang from that he would never hav



admitted that he had borne with Nasmytas long as possible out of kindness. Thhing would have hurt him.

“Well,” he said, “it seemed to me wemight start you teaming, if I could have goa span or two of oxen in, but I’m mos

afraid I can’t get them at my figure.” Hchanged the subject abruptly. “Where aryou heading for?”

“I don’t quite know, though I shal

probably land in Victoria sooner or latermight strike something a little easier tha

ogging there. Still, it would be most of week’s march before I could reach thrailroad, and there’s not a ranch anywhernear the trail.”

The logger nodded. “Well,” he said, “I’d

head West instead. There’ll be nothing



going on along the railroad just now, andhe mines are running easy, while you

ought to fetch the settlement south of Butt

Lake on the third day. Guess you mighpick up a dollar or two in thaneighbourhood, and, any way, there’s asteamer running down the West Coast to

Victoria. Seems to me quite likely one ohose Bush-ranchers would take you in

while, even if he didn’t exactly want hired man; but they don’t do that kind ohing in the city.”

asmyth smiled. Experience had alreadaught him that, as a rule, the stranger wh

s welcomed in the cities arrives therwith money in his pockets, and that it ihe hard-handed men with the axes fro

whom the wanderer in that country is mos



ikely to receive a kindness. Still, thoughe was naturally not aware of it, a greadeal was to depend upon the fact that h

followed the advice of the logger, whoraced out a diagram on the bench upo

which they sat.

“There’s an Indian trail up the river fohe first four leagues,” said the logger“Then you strike southwest, across thdivide––here––and you come to the Butt

River. She’s running in a little cañon, andyou can’t get over ’cept where prospector or somebody has chopped big fir.”

The log span across a stream is an oldevice, and was probably primitive man’first attempt at bridge-building, though i

s one frequently adopted on the Pacifi



slope, where a giant tree growconveniently close to an otherwismpassable river. It was, however

mportant that Nasmyth should be able tfind the tree.

“You know exactly where that fir is?” he

asked.“Southwest of the highest ridge of thdivide. Once you’re over, you’ll fetch thButte Lake in a long day’s march. When

d’you figure you’ll start?”

“To-night,” said Nasmyth, “after supper. Ihere’s sickness of any kind hanging round

me––and I feel like it––you don’t want mhere, and I dare say they’d take me into thhospital at Victoria. Walking’s easier thanogging, anyway, and it seems wiser to tr

for that fir in daylight.”



The logger nodded as if he concurred ihis, and, taking a little book from hi

pocket, he turned it over, wrinkling hi

brows while Nasmyth watched him with smile.

“Well,” he said at length, “we’ll count yo

full time to-day, but there’s the four dayoff when you got crushed by that redwoodand the week when you chopped your legThen, counting the amount for your board

hat’s thirty-six dollars I’m due to you.”“Not quite,” answered Nasmyth. “Therwas the day or two after I fell through thce and had the shivers. I’d sooner yo

knocked off the few dollars.”

The logger was said to be a hard man, ann some respects this was certainly th

case; but a faint flush crept into his gri



face. Perhaps he had noticed thweariness in Nasmyth’s voice or thhollowness of his cheeks.

“All right,” he said awkwardly. “Jakwill put you up grub for four days, anwe’ll call it square.”

He counted out the money, which Nasmytslipped into the receptacle inside his beltWhen the logger moved away the wearman crossed over to his bunk. Nasmyt

had brought his few possessions up in canoe, and now, knowing that he could noake them all away, he turned them ove

with a curious smile. There were one owo ragged pairs of duck trousers staine

with soil, a few old tattered shirts, and acket of much the same description. H

remembered that he had once bee



fastidious about his tailoring, as hwondered when he would be able treplace the things that he left behind. The

he rolled up some of the garments and hiwo blankets into a pack that could b

strapped upon his shoulders, and, as hdid this, his comrades came trooping in

stamping to shake the snow off theieggings.

There were about a dozen of them––

simple, strenuous, brown-faced Bushranchers for the most part––and they ate ihaste, voraciously, when the abundant burudely served supper was laid out

asmyth had not much appetite, and thgreasy salt pork, grindstone breaddesiccated apples, flavoured molassesand flapjacks hot from the pan, did no



empt him. He preferred to watch hicompanions, and now and then his glancwas a trifle wistful. He had worked an

eaten with them; they had slept about himand he knew he had their rude good-wilWhen his strength had begun to give waysome of them had saddled themselves wit

more than their share of the tasks thewere engaged in, and he knew that it wapossible he might not fall in witcomrades of their kind again. Now that thime had come, he, who had once bee

welcomed at brilliant London functionsfelt that it would cost him an effort to par

with these rough comrades. Perhaps thiwas not so astonishing, for, after allstrenuous, valiant manhood and rudkindliness count for much.



The shanty was cheerfully lighted ancosily warm. Nasmyth had slept soundlhere on the springy spruce-twigs, an

here was at least abundance when thmealtimes came round. Now he was abouo be cast adrift again to face a three days

march in the open, under the bitter frost

and what might await him at the end of ihe did not know. At length, the meal wacleared away, and when the pipes werighted, he told his comrades that he wa

going. They were not demonstrative iheir expressions of regret, but they thrus

upon him little plugs of tobacco, whic

could not well be replaced there, anseveral of them told him that, if he strucnothing he liked better, all he had to dowas to present himself at this ranch or th

other beside blue lake or frothing rive



when they went back in the spring. Whawas more to the purpose, they meant it.

Among those Western pines men arereared who, in point of primitive vigourslow endurance, and the dogged couraghat leads them to attempt, and usually t

accomplish, the apparently impossibleare a match for any in the world, and nwanderer who limps up to their lonelranches is turned away. Those who hav

no claim on them are honoured with theihospitality, and now and then one new tohat country looks with wonder on thei

handiwork. Down all the long Pacifi

coast, from lonely Wrangel, wrapped ihe Northern snow, to Shasta in the Southt is written on hewn-back forest, ren

hillside, and dammed river. Th



nhabitants are subduing savage Naturebut, as time will surely show, theigreatest achievement is the rearing o

fearless men.Though it cost him an effort, Nasmytcontrived to smile as he shook hands wit

he loggers. Then he set his lips tight aswith his pack strapped on his shouldershe opened the door and looked out at thdimly shining snow. It was only natura

hat he hesitated for a moment. After allbrutal as the toil had been, he at leasknew what he was leaving behind, and hiheart sank as he drew the door to. Th

cold struck through him to the bone, thoughere was not a breath of air astir, and th

stillness was almost overwhelming. Thfrost cramped his muscles and drove th



courage out of him, and, as he ploddedown the trail, he heard Jacques, thFrench-Canadian cook, tuning his battere

fiddle. A little burst of laughter brokehrough the twanging of the strings, anasmyth closed one hand hard as h

strode on faster into the darkness. Ther

was as much of the animal in him as thers in most of us, and he longed for th

cheerful light and the warmth of the stovewhile one learns the value of humacompanionship when the Frost King layhis grip on that lonely land. He was oncmore homeless––an outcast––and it wa

almost a relief to him when at length thwanging of the fiddle was lost in thsilence of the pines.

The trees rose about him, towering hig



nto the soft darkness in serried ranks, anhe snow gleamed a cold blue-grey undehem. Not a twig stirred; the tall spire

were black, and motionless, and solemnand he felt that their statelinesemphasized his own feebleness annconsequence. In the meanwhile, thoug

he snow was loose and frost-dried, it wanot much above his ankles, and the traiwas comparatively good. It seemed to hiadvisable to push on as fast as possiblefor he had only four days’ provisions, andhe was not sure of his strength. There wano doubt as to what the result would be i

t failed him in the wilderness that labetween him and the settlement.



CHAPTER II

THE TRAIL

A half-moon rose above the black tops ohe pines, and a faint light, which the snow

flung back, filtered down between thmotionless branches upon the narrow traihat wound sinuously in and out amon

fallen trunks and thickets draped wit

withered fern, for the Siwash Indianpassed that way when the salmon came uhe rivers, and the path an Indian makes i

never straight. Over and over again, a

ndian will go around an obstacle throug



which the Bush-rancher would hew passage. This is essentially characteristiof both, for the primitive peoples patientl

fit their lives to their environment, whilhe white man grapples with unfavourabl

conditions, and resolutely endeavours talter them.

Until daylight Nasmyth made a tolerablpace. He had been troubled with a curiouassitude and an unpleasant dizziness, bu

walking is considerably easier tharolling ponderous logs, and he knew that iwas advisable for him to push on as fasas possible. At length, the dawn brok

high up in a dingy grey sky, and hstopped to build a fire. It did not take lono boil a can of strong green tea, and t

prepare a piece of doughy bread, with



ittle salt pork, for his breakfast. Then hwrapped one of his blankets around hiand took out his pipe. He did no

remember how long he sat there, but iwas clear daylight when he noticed thahe fire was burning out, and, somewhat t

his annoyance, he felt curiously reluctan

o get up again.Though it cost him an effort, he rose, anstood a minute or two shivering in th

bitter wind, which now set the dark firsighing. He could see the trees rolupwards before him in sombre ranks untiheir topmost sprays cut in a thin filigre

very high up against the sky, and he knewhat he must now leave the easy trail an

cross the big divide. When he set out hwas a little annoyed to find that the pack



straps hurt his shoulders, and that one ohis boots galled his foot. Knee-boots arnot adapted for walking long distances

but the only other ones that Nasmytpossessed were so dilapidated that he haeft them behind.

He went up for several hours througwithered fern and matted undergrowthand over horrible tangles of fallen treerunks, some of which were raised hig

above the snow on giant splinterebranches. The term “virgin forestprobably conveys very little to thaverage Englishman, since the woods wit

which he is acquainted are, for the mospart, cleaned and dressed by foresters; bu

ature rules untrammelled in the pinebush of the Pacific slope, and her wast



material lies piled in tremendous ruin untit rots away. There are forests in tha

country, through which a man accustomed

o them can scarcely make a league in day. Still, Nasmyth crossed the dividestruggling against a bitter wind, and thewent down the other side, flounderin

over fallen branches, and smashinhrough thickets of undergrowth an

brakes of willows. He wanted to find thriver, and, more especially, the tree thabridged it, as soon as possible. It washowever, noon when he reached the riverand it frothed and roared a hundred fee

below him in a smooth walled cañonwhich had apparently kept the frost outfor there were only strips of crackling icn the eddies.



t was clearly out of the question for hio get down to the river, even if he had

wished to make the descent, and withou

stopping to make another fire, he ploddealong the bank until the afternoon waalmost spent. There were a good manfallen trees, as he discovered to his cost

since each one had to be painfullclambered over, but none of them spannedhe chasm. Then, as his foot was becomin

very sore, he decided to camp where a bicedar lay across a little ravine that rent thbank. It promised to afford him a partiashelter. He had no axe, but he tore off an

armful or two of the thinner branches, withe twigs attached to them, to form a bedand then, crawling down to the riverfilled his smoke-blackened can and cam

back wearily to make a fire. Man need



very little in those solitudes, but there arwo things he must have, and those ar

food to keep the strength in him, an

warmth, though there are times when hfinds it singularly difficult to make theffort to obtain them. The most unpleasanhour of the long day of persistent toil i

often the one when worn-out muscle anaded intelligence must be forced to thask of providing the evening meal an

shelter for the night.

asmyth ate his supper, so far as it wentvoraciously, but with a prudent checupon his appetite, for he had set out wit

only four days’ provisions, and he couldnot find the tree. When he had eaten, hook out his pipe, and crouched a whil

beside the fire, shivering, in spite of th



blankets wrapped about him. The headies out of the man who has marched fowenty hours, as those who have done i

know. In the meanwhile, darkness crept upfrom the east, and the pines faded intsombre masses that loomed dimly againsa leaden sky. A mournful wailing came ou

of the gloom, and the smoke whirled abouhe shivering man in the nipping wind

while the sound of the river’s turmoil anhe crash of stream-driven ice drifted u

out of the cañon. Nasmyth listenedrowsily, while his thoughts wanderedback to the loggers’ shanty. He could see

he men with bronzed faces sittinsmoking about the snapping stove, two ohree of them dancing, while Jacque

coaxed music full of fire from his battere

fiddle.



Then his thoughts went farther back to thchambers that he had once occupied iLondon, and he saw himself an

Frobisher, who shared them with himsitting at a little table daintily furnishewith choice glass and silver covers. Therwere big candles upon it––Frobisher, who

was a fastidious man, had insisted upohem. After that, the artistically furnished

room faded out of his memory, and hrecalled a larger one in which he had nowand then dined. He could picture the wineand lights, and costly dresses, the smilinfaces of those who had at that tim

expected a great deal from him, and hsaw the girl who usually sat at his sideShe had a delicate beauty and a daintmind, and he had sometimes fancied the

might be drawn closer when he had mad



his mark, which in those days appeared very probable thing. He wonderevaguely what she was doing then, or if sh

ever thought of him. After all, as she hadnot answered the one letter which hwrote, it scarcely seemed likely that shremembered him. Those who fail, h

reflected, are soon forgotten.Then, as he was falling forward into thfire, he roused himself, and smiled wryly

He was once more an outcast, shiveringhalf-asleep in the wilderness, worn outragged, and aching, with a foot that wanow distinctly painful. It is, however

fortunate for such men as he, and otheramong the heavily burdened, that thexhaustion of the body has its deadenineffect upon the mind. Rolling the blanket



haste was imperative now, so he set ofimping, with the pack-straps galling hi

shoulders cruelly. He also felt a littl

dizzy, but he pushed on all that day besidhe river through a haze of snow withou

coming upon the tree. The dusk wacreeping up across the forest when a

ength the river emerged from the cañonand he ventured out upon the ice in slacker pool. The ice heaved and crackleunder him with the pulsations of thstream, but he got across, and rousehimself with difficulty for the effort tmake another fire. He was an hou

gathering fuel, and then, after a sparinsupper, he lay down in his wet clothing.

The snow that eddied about him whitenehis spongy blankets, but he got a littl



sleep, and, awakening, found the fire outHe tried to light it and failed. His fingerseemed useless. He was cramped an

chilled all through, and there was in onhip-joint the gnawing pain that those whsleep on wet ground are acquainted withSometimes it goes away when one get

warmed up, but just as often it does noasmyth, who found it a difficult matter t

straighten himself, ate a little damp breadand then, strapping his pack upon hishoulders, stumbled on into the forest. Hafterwards fancied it did not snow vermuch that day, but he was not sure o

anything except that he fell over manrotten branches, and entangled himselfrequently in labyrinths of matted willows

ight came and he went to sleep without

fire. He contrived to push on next day



walking during most of it half asleepndeed, now and then he would stagge

along for minutes after consciousness o

what he was doing had deserted him, fohere are men in that Bush, at least, wh

know what it is to stop with suddenlopened eyes on the verge of a collapse

and find that they have wandered from thpath––only in Nasmyth’s case there wano path at all.

He was never sure whether it was that daor the next when, floundering through aundergrowth of willows, he came upon break in the forest that was covered wit

sawn-off stumps. As he made for it, he felnto a split-rail fence, some of which h

knocked down until he could climb ovet. There was a faint smell of burning fir



wood in the air, and it was evident to hihat there was a house somewhere in th

vicinity. The snow was not deep in th

clearing, and he plodded through istaggering now and then, until he came ta little slope, and fell down it headlongThis time he did not seem able to get up

again, and it was fortunate that, when hflung the split fence down, the crash madby the falling rails rang far through thsilence of the woods.

While Nasmyth lay in the slushy snow, girl came out from among the firs acroshe clearing, and walked down the littl

rail that led to a well. She was tall, anhere was something in her face and th

way she held herself which suggested thashe was not a native of the Bush, thoug



everything she wore had been made by heown fingers––that is, except the little fucap, whose glossy brown enhanced th

ustre of her hair. This was of a slightlighter tint, and had gleams of ruddy goln it. Her eyes were large and brown, anhere was a reposeful quietness in th

face, which suggested strength. It wasignificant that her hands were a triflhard, as well as shapely, and that hewrists were red.

She came to the top of the slope near thfoot of which Nasmyth, who had nowraised himself on one elbow, lay, and

hough this might well have startled hershe stood quietly still, looking down ohim. Nasmyth raised himself a triflfurther, and blinked at her stupidly, and



she noticed that his face was drawn angrey.

“I heard the rails fall,” she said. “Whaare you doing there?”

t did not appear strange to Nasmyth thashe should speak in well-modulate

English, for there are probably as mannsular English as Canadians in parts ohat country. Besides, he was scarcely in

condition to notice a point of that kind jus

hen.

“I think I upset the fence,” he answered“You see, I couldn’t get over. Then I mus

have fallen down.”t naturally struck the girl as significanhat he did not seem sure of what ha

happened, but the explanation that woul



have suggested itself to anyone fresh froEngland did not occur to her. There wanot a saloon or hotel within eight or nin

miles of the spot.“Can you get up?” she asked.

“I’ll try,” said Nasmyth; but the attempt h

made was not a complete success, foralthough he staggered to his feet, he reelewhen he stood upon them, and probablwould have fallen had she not run dow

he slope and taken hold of him.

“You can rest on me,” she said, laying afirm and capable hand upon his shoulder.

With her assistance, Nasmyth staggered uphe slope, and there were afterwards time

when he remembered the next few minutewith somewhat mixed feelings. Just then



however, he was only glad to havsomeone to lean upon, and her merhuman presence was a relief, since Natur

had come very near to crushing the life ouof him.

“This is your ranch?” he inquired, lookin

at her with half-closed eyes, when aength she moved away from him, a pacor two, and, gasping a little, stood stilbeneath a colonnade of towering firs.

“It is,” she said simply; and a moment owo later he saw a little house of logs hal

hidden among the trees.

They reached it in another minute, andstaggering in, he sank into the neareschair. A stove snapped and crackled in themiddle of the little log-walled room

which in spite of its uncovered, split



boarded floor, seemed to possess daintiness very unusual in the Bush. Hdid not, however, know what particula

objects in it conveyed that impression, fohe whole room seemed to be swinging u

and down; but he was definitely consciouof a comforting smell of coffee and pork

which came from the stove. He sat stilshivering, and blinking at the girl, whilhe water trickled from his tattere

clothing. He fancied from the patter on thshingle roof, that it was raining outside.

“I wonder if you would let me camp in thbarn to-night,” he said.

The girl’s eyes had grown compassionatas she watched him, for there was suggestive greyness in his face. It wa

evident to her that he was utterly worn



out.

“Go in there,” she said, pointing to a door“You will find some dry clothes. Put themon.”

asmyth staggered into a very small roomwhich had a rude wooden bunk in it, an

with considerable difficulty sloughed ofhis wet things and put on somebody else’clothing. Then he came back and sank inta deer-hide lounge at the table. The gir

set a cup of coffee, as well as some porand potatoes, before him. He drank thcoffee, but finding, somewhat to hiastonishment, that he could scarcely eahe lay back in his chair and looked at thgirl deprecatingly with half-closed eyes.

“Sorry I can’t do the supper justice. I thin

’m ill,” he said.



Then his head fell back against the deerhide lounge, and, while the girl watchehim with a natural consternation, he san

nto sleep or unconsciousness. She wanot sure which it was, but he certainlooked very ill, and, being a capabl

young woman, she remembered that withi

he next hour, the weekly mail-carriewould strike a trail which passed within mile of the ranch. Rising, she touche

asmyth’s shoulder.

“Stay there, and don’t try to get up until come back,” she commanded in a kindlone.

asmyth, as she had half-expected, sainothing, and, slipping into another room––here were three in the house––sh

returned, wearing a jacket of coarse fur



and went quietly out into the rain. It wadark now, but she had, as it happened, noong to wait for the mail-carrier.

“I want you to call at Gordon’s ranchDave,” she told the man. “Tell him he is tcome along as soon as he can. There’s

stranger here who seems very ill.”The mail-carrier would have askequestions, but she cut him short.

“How long will it be before you can telGordon?” she asked.

“Well,” answered the man reflectively“I’m heading right back for the settlement

but it’s a league to Gordon’s, anyway. Hecould be here in two hours, if he startright off, and, considering what the trail’ike, that’s blamed fast travelling.”



He disappeared into the darkness, and thgirl went back to the ranch. It wasperhaps, significant that she should fee

sure that the man she had sent for woulobey the summons, but she grew anxiouwhile the two hours slipped by. At last, aman opened the door and walked in, wit

he water dripping from the long outegarment he flung off. He was a young manwith a bronzed face and keen grey eyesand he had swung the axe, as one coulsee by his lithe carriage and the hardnesof his hands, but there was somethinprofessional in his manner as he stoope

down, regarding Nasmyth closely whilhe gripped the stranger’s wrist. Then hurned to the girl.

“He’s very sick,” Gordon said. “Gues



you have no objections to my putting hin your father’s bunk. First, we’ll war he blankets.”

The girl rose to help him, and––for shwas strong––they stripped off most o

asmyth’s garments and lifted him into th

bunk in the next room. Then Gordon senher for the blankets, and, when he hawrapped them round Nasmyth, he sadown and looked at her.

“Pneumonia,” he said. “Anyway, in thmeanwhile, I’ll figure on it as that, thoughere’s what one might call a genera

physical collapse as well. Where did hcome from?”

“I don’t know,” said the girl.

“Your father won’t be back for a week?”



“It’s scarcely likely.”

The man appeared to reflect for a momenor two. Then he made a little expressivgesture.

“Well,” he said, “it’s up to us to do whawe can. First thing’s a poultice. I’ll show

you how to fix it; but while we’re here, guess we might as well run through hihings.”

“Is that needful?” and the girl glanced aasmyth compassionately.

“Well,” said the man with an air oreflection, “it might be. This thing’s quick

Leaves you or wipes you out right awayThere’s very little strength in him.”

He turned out the pockets of Nasmyth’

clothes, which were, however, empty o



anything that might disclose his identity.

“Not a scrap of paper, not a dollar; but guess that wasn’t always the case withim––you can see it by his face,” he saidThen he laughed. “He’s probably like good many more of us––not very anxiou

o let folks know where he came from.”The girl, though he did not notice iwinced at this; but next moment he toucheher shoulder.

“Get some water on,” he said. “Aftewe’ve made the poultice, I’ll take chargof him. We may get Mrs. Custer round in

he morning.”The girl merely smiled and went out withim. She was aware that it was in somrespects an unusual thing which she wa



doing, but that did not greatly trouble herThey are not very conventional people ihat country.



CHAPTER III

WAYNEFLEET’S RANCH

Though he afterwards endeavoured trecall them, Nasmyth had never more thaa faint and shadowy recollection of thnext few days. During most of the time, hfancied he was back in England, and thgirl he had left there seemed to b

hovering about him. Now and then, shwould lay gentle hands upon him, and hesoothing touch would send him off tsleep again; but there was a puzzlin

change in her appearance. He remembere



her as slight in figure––sylph-like he hasometimes called her––fastidious andainty, and always artistically dressed

ow, however, she seemed to have grownaller, stronger, more reserved, and, as he

vaguely realized, more capable, while hegarments were of a different and coarse

fashion. What was still more curious, shdid not seem to recognize her namehough he addressed her by it now anhen. He pondered over the matte

drowsily once or twice, and then ceaseo trouble himself about it. There wer

several other things that appeared at leas

as incomprehensible.After a long time, however, his sensecame back to him, and one evening, as hay languidly looking about him in his rud



wooden bunk, he endeavoured to recalwhat had passed since he left the loggerscamp. The little room was comfortabl

warm, and a plain tin lamp burned upowhat was evidently a home-made tableThere was nothing, except a rifle, upon through log walls, and nothing upon th

floor, which was, as usual, rudely laidwith split boards, for dressed lumber icostly in the Bush. Looking through thopen door into the general living-roomwhich was also lighted, he could see a rewinkle beneath the register of the stove

beside which a woman was sittin

sewing. She was a hard-featured, homelperson in coarsely fashioned garmentswhich did not seem to fit her well, an

asmyth felt slightly disconcerted whe

he glanced at her, for she was not th



woman whom he had expected to seeThen his glance rested on a man, who haalso figured in his uncertain memories

and now sat not far away from him. Thman, who was young, was dressed iplain blue duck, and, though Nasmytnoticed that his hands were hard, and tha

he had broken nails, there was somethinn his bronzed face that suggested menta

capacity.

“I suppose,” the sick man said, “you arhe doctor who has evidently taken care ome?”

He was not quite himself yet, and he spokclean colloquial English, without anrace of the Western accentuation he

usually considered it advisable to adopt

hough, as a matter of fact, the accen



usually heard on the Pacific slope is nounduly marked. The other man naturallnoticed it, and laughed somewha

curiously.“I have some knowledge of medicine ansurgery,” Gordon answered. “Now and

hen I make use of it, though I don’t, as rule, get a fee.” Then he looked rathehard at Nasmyth. “Quite a few of us find iadvisable to let our professions go whe

we come to this country.”asmyth nodded, for this was a thing h

had discovered already. Many of thcomrades he had made there weroutcasts––men outside the pale––and thewere excellent comrades, too.

“Well,” he said, “I have evidently been

very sick. How did I get here? I don



seem to remember.”

“Miss Waynefleet found you lying in thesnow in the clearing.”

“Ah!” said Nasmyth––“a tall girl with quiet voice, big brown eyes, and splendihair?”

Gordon smiled. “Well,” he said, “that’quite like her.”

“Where is she now?” asked Nasmyth; an

hough he was very feeble still, there waa certain expectancy in his manner.

“In the barn, I believe. The working oxe

have to be fed. It’s very probable that youwill see her in the next half-hour. As toyour other question––you were very sicndeed––pneumonia. Once or twice i

seemed a sure thing that you’d slip throug



our fingers. Where were you coming frowhen you struck the clearing?”

asmyth, who had no reason for reticenceand found his mind rapidly growinclearer, briefly related what had led hio set out on his journey through the Bush

and his companion nodded.“It’s very much as I expected,” he said“They paid you off before you left thaogging camp?”

“They did,” said Nasmyth, who wapleased to recall the fact. “I had thirty-twdollars in my belt.”

His companion looked at him steadily“When you came here you hadn’t a belon. There was not a dollar in youpockets, either.”



This was naturally a blow to Nasmyth. Hrealized that it would probably be severaweeks at least before he was stron

enough to work again, and he haevidently been a charge upon thesstrangers for some little time. Still, he dinot for a moment connect any of them wit

he disappearance of his belt. He was towell acquainted with the character of thmen who are hewing the clearings out ohe great forests of the Pacific slope. As

matter of fact, he never did discover whabecame of his belt.

“Well,” he said, “I suppose I forgot to pu

t on, one of those mornings on the marchStill, it’s not very astonishing that the thinshould worry me. I can’t expect to stay oat this ranch. When do you think I can ge



up and set out again?”

“How long have you been out here?”

“Been out?”Gordon laughed. “You’re from the OldCountry––that’s plain enough.”

“Several years.”“In that case I’m not going to tell yowe’re not likely to turn you out until yo

have some strength in you. I believe I’speaking for Miss Waynefleet now.”

asmyth lay still and considered this. Iwas, at least, quite evident that he coul

not get up yet, but there were one or twother points that occurred to him.

“Does the ranch belong to Mis

Waynefleet?” he inquired. “She can’t live



here alone.”

“She runs the concern. She has certainly father, but you’ll understand things morclearly when you see him. He’s away iVictoria, which is partly why Mrs. Custefrom the settlement is now in yonde

room. Her husband is at present building restle on the Dunsmore track. I come uphere for only an hour every day.”

asmyth afterwards discovered that thi

mplied a journey of three or four mileeither way over a very indifferent traibut at the moment he was thinking chieflof Miss Waynefleet, who had given himshelter.

“You practise at the settlement?” heasked.



“Yes,” said his companion dryly“chopping big trees. I’ve a ranch thereStill, I don’t know that you could exactl

call it practising. By this time, I’vacquired a certain proficiency in thhing.”

asmyth fancied that he must have gone tsleep soon after this, for when he openehis eyes again there was no sign of thdoctor, and a girl was quietly movin

about the room. She sat down, when shsaw that he was awake, and looked at hiwith a little smile, and it was only naturahat Nasmyth should also look at her. I

struck him once more that she hawonderful hair. In the lamp-light, iseemed to glow with curious red-golgleams. She had also quiet brown eyes



and a face that was a trifle darkened bsun and wind. He guessed that she waall. She looked so as she moved about th

room with a supple gracefulness that had suggestion of strength in it. That was all hnoticed in detail, for he was chieflconscious of the air of quiet composur

hat characterized her. He was a triflfanciful that night, and, while he lookeher, he felt as he had sometimes felt whehe stood at sunset in the silence of thshadowy Bush, or gazed down into thdepths of some still river pool. Only hegleaming red-gold hair and her full re

ips slightly counteracted this impressionThere was in them at least a hint of firand passion.

“You are much better,” she said, and he



softly modulated voice fell pleasantly ohis ears. He contrived to raise himself rifle.

“I believe I am,” he answered, “In ancase, I know I owe it to you that I’m alivat all. Still”––and he hesitated––“I can

help feeling a bit uncomfortable. You seehave really no claim on you.”

Laura Waynefleet laughed. “Did youexpect me to leave you out in the snow?”

“If you had, I couldn’t have complainedThere wasn’t the least obligation upon yoo look after a penniless stranger.”

“Ah!” said the girl, with a little smilwhich was curiously expressive, “afteall, many of us are in one sense strangern the Bush.”



asmyth pondered over this, for, in viewof what he had noticed in her voice anmanner, he fancied he understood he

meaning.“Well,” he said, “it’s evident that I can donothing in return for all your kindness

except take myself off your hands as sooas possible. That’s partly why I’particularly anxious to get better.”

He stopped a moment, with a faint flush i

his hollow face. “It sounds verungracious, doesn’t it? But, after all, it’sense. Besides, I scarcely feel up texpressing myself very neatly.”

The girl moved across the room, angently pressed him down again on thpillow.



“Go to sleep again at once,” she said.

asmyth did as he was bidden, whichsince he felt that he wanted to lie awakand watch her, was in one way significantAs a matter of fact, what LaurWaynefleet considered advisable wa

usually done. Nasmyth’s head was clearenext morning, and, during the week thafollowed, he grew stronger rapidly, untione night, as he sat beside the stove, h

realized that he could, in all probabilityset out again on his journey in a day owo. While he talked to Laura Waynefleethere were footsteps outside, and she ra

owards the door as a man came into throom. Nasmyth fancied the newcomer waher father, for he was grey-haired andelderly, but he did not look in the leas



ike a Bush-rancher. Beneath the fur coatwhich he flung off when he had kissed hidaughter, he was dressed as one who

ived in the cities, though his garmentwere evidently far from new. He was tallbut his spareness suggested fragility, andhis face, which emphasized thi

mpression, had a hint of queruloudiscontent in it.

“I didn’t expect to get through until to

morrow, but they’ve altered the running ohe stage,” he said. “Wiston drove me upfrom the settlement, and said he’d send mhings across to-morrow. I was glad to ge

out of Victoria. The cooking andaccommodation at the hotel I stayed awere simply disgusting.”

asmyth glanced at the speaker in amuse



astonishment, for the Bush-ranchers of thPacific slope are not, as a rule, particularThey can live on anything, and sleep mor

or less contentedly among dripping fernor even in a pool of water, as, indeedhey not infrequently have to do, when the

go up into the forests surveying, o

undertake a road-making contract. LaurWaynefleet directed her father’s attentiono her convalescent guest.

“This is Mr. Nasmyth,” she said. “Youwill remember I mentioned him in metter.”

Waynefleet made the young man a littlenclination that was formally courteous. “

am glad to see you are evidentlrecovering,” he said. “I hope they hav

made you at home here.” Then he turned t



his daughter. “If you could get me somsupper–––”

Laura busied herself about the stovewhile Waynefleet sat down and talked to

asmyth about generalities. Waynefleeappeared to be a politician, and h

criticized the Government, which, in hiopinion, was neglecting the Bush-ranchershamefully. It was evident that hconsidered it the duty of the Governmen

o contribute indirectly towards thsupport of settlers. Then the supper waaid out. As he ate fastidiously, he made a

few faintly sardonic observations abou

he cookery, and, after the girl had broughn a pot of coffee, he frowned at the cup h

put down.

“There is one place in Victoria where yo



can get coffee, as it ought to be, but this imerely roasted wheat,” he said. “You wilexcuse me from drinking any more of i

As you have probably discovered, Mrasmyth, one has to put up with a goo

deal in this country. It is in many respecta barbarous land.”

asmyth saw the faint flush in LaurWaynefleet’s face, and said nothing. Hefancied that he knew the establishment i

Victoria to which Waynefleet referred, but was not one which he had ever visitedor which the smaller Bush-rancherusually frequented.

Soon after supper, Nasmyth withdrew tohe bed, which he had insisted o

preparing for himself in the loft above th

stables, and it was next day when h



spoke to Laura Waynefleet alone.

“I can’t abuse your kindness any longer,he said. “I must go away.”

The girl looked at him quietly. “You arefar from strong yet, and––it must bmentioned––there was not a dollar in you

pockets.”“That is certainly the case;” and Nasmytflushed a little. “Still, I can get as far a

he settlement, and I dare say somebodywho won’t be too hard on me at first, mawant a hand. I am really rather a goochopper.”

Laura smiled as she glanced at his facebut it was not its hollowness she wahinking of. Nasmyth had not th

appearance of the average chopper.



“Well,” she said, “perhaps you had bettesee my father. I think he has something tosay to you.”

She left him, and, half an hour laterWaynefleet came up to Nasmyth, who wasunning himself outside the ranch-house

Like many other houses in that country, istood beneath a few great firs on the edgof a desolate clearing, round which thprimeval forest rose in an unbroken wall

Behind it, and a little farther back amonhe trees, was the rude barn, built of binotched logs, and roofed with cedashingles. In front there lay some twent

acres of cleared land, out of which roshe fir-stumps, girdled with withered fern

for a warm wind from the Pacific haswept the snow away. Beyond that, i



urn, and outside the split-rail fence, rowof giant trunks lay piled in the tremendouruin usually called the “slashing.” Som

day, these would be sawn up and burntand the clearing driven farther back inthe Bush. The little gap into which th

sunlight shone, however, had been hew

out at the cost of several years ostrenuous labour, and Nasmyth, who waaware of this, felt inclined to smile as thman who owned it strolled up to him. Iwas a little difficult to imagine that he hahad any great share in the making of thaclearing.

Waynefleet was dressed in duck, but iwas whole and unsoiled, and Nasmytmade his own deductions from a glance ahe delicate hands. As a rule



Waynefleet’s expression was discontentedand querulous, but for the time being himanner was gracious. In fact, he wa

generally more or less courteous tasmyth.

“Miss Waynefleet tells me you are

hinking of going away,” said the owner ohe ranch.

asmyth replied that he intended to leavhe ranch, and was explaining that he fel

he had already abused his host’s kindnesswhen Waynefleet cut him short.

“We have been glad to have you here,” he

said; “in fact, I have been wondering iyou might feel disposed to stay. It iprobably evident to you that I cannot dall that is necessary about this place wit

one pair of hands.”



asmyth knew, from what he had seen onother and larger ranches, that one macould do the work, though he felt that i

was more than one could reasonably havexpected from Waynefleet. It washowever, clear that somebody did a greadeal, and he fancied that it was th

rancher’s daughter.“Well,” continued Waynefleet, “I amdisposed to spend a little upon the ranch

They are talking of building a pulp-milnear the settlement. That will make lanmore valuable, and probably lead to demand for produce. With that in view,

wish to raise a larger crop, and I’m opeo hire somebody.” He made a littl

gesture. “My strength scarcely permits mo undertake any severe physical effor



and I may confess that my faculty is rathehat of administration. Now I will mak

you an offer.”

asmyth considered it gravely. As ihappened, he was feeling sorry for thrancher’s daughter, and it was this fac

chiefly which led him to come to termwith the man, since it seemed to him thahere were tasks the girl must shrin

from––tasks of which he could reliev

her. Though he was quite aware that whehis strength came back, he could probablearn more than Waynefleet offered him, heaccepted the chance to stay at the ranch

Moreover, the varied work was likely tobe much easier than logging.

“It’s a bargain. I’ll make a start now, and

haul one or two of those logs out with th



oxen,” he said. “Still, I’m afraid you musnot expect too much from me for a weeor two.”

Waynefleet made no objections. Therewas, as a matter of fact, a great deal to bdone, and Nasmyth went back to his new

quarters over the stable almost too wearo hold himself upright that night. Hehowever, gathered strength rapidly, and afew days later he was chopping a grea

ree, standing on a narrow plank notchento the trunk of it several feet from thground as he swung the axe, when the mawho had instructed Miss Waynefleet how

o nurse him came up the trail. Gordon sadown on a log close by, and looked a

asmyth.

“I was coming round to make sure I wa



quite through with your case, but it’olerably evident you have no more us

for me,” he said. “Stopping here?”

asmyth said he was, and Gordonodded.

“Well,” he said, “in several ways I’m

rather glad. It’s going to make thingeasier for Miss Waynefleet. Guess youunderstand what I meant when I said shran the ranch?”

asmyth said he thought he did, and thenwith a certain diffidence, he changed thsubject.

“You must have spent a good deal of timeooking after men––professionally,” h

said.

Gordon laughed in a somewhat curiou



fashion. “We’ll let that go. In one sense’ve dropped my profession. I had to, ant’s scarcely likely that I shall take it up

again.”“I wonder,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “it’s admissible for me to mention that

had fancied something of the kind. Yousee, in the Bush, I have naturally comacross a good many men who have turneheir backs upon the cities.”

Gordon made a little gesture. “It’s a surhing you’ll hear a good deal about me ahe settlement, where, though the boy

don’t cast it up to me, I’m credited withaving killed somebody back East, and a’ve had an idea that I could hit it rathe

well with you, I’d sooner tell you the thin

myself. Well, I was making my mark in a



big city, several years ago, when I lost mhead. When success comes too quicklyt’s a thing you’re rather apt to do. Th

rouble is that you have usually to face thresults of it.”

He broke off for a moment with a littl

wry smile. “In my case they were seriousThere was a woman of hystericaemperament with a diseased imagination was overworked and a trifl

overwrought, and had a glass of brandoo much at a certain committee lunchThen there was a rather delicate operation a hospital, and though I’m not sure ye

hat I blundered, it was suggested that did, and the thing was complicated bwhat the woman said when the committeook it up. It didn’t matter that the patien



recovered, for when he took action againshe woman, the thing made a sensation ihe Eastern papers.”

He looked at Nasmyth with a question ihis eyes.

“Now,” he said, “you more or les

understand my reasons for ranching hereHow’s it going to affect you?”

asmyth gazed reflectively towards th

East. “I think,” he replied, “there are morof us who have left a good deal behinback yonder. Perhaps it’s fortunate that thehing is possible.”

Then he swung his axe again, and Gordonwho saw Waynefleet approachingstrolled away towards the ranch-owner.



CHAPTER IV

LAURA WAYNEFLEET’SWISH

t was a hot summer evening, and

drowsy, resinous fragrance stole out of thshadowy bush when Nasmyth, who hanow spent six months at Waynefleet’ranch, lay among the wineberries by th

river-side. Across the strip of slidinwater the sombre firs rose in a greacolonnade from the grey rock’s crest, withhe fires of sunset blazing behind thei

wide-girthed trunks. The river was low



and very clear, and the sound of it seemedo intensify the solemn stillness of th

Bush. Nasmyth had come there to fish

after a long day of tolerably arduouabour, but he did not expect muc

success, though the trout rise freely jusafter sunset in those rivers. Indeed, he ha

almost forgotten that the rod and net lanear his side, for his employer’s daughtesat on a fallen cedar not far away frohim.

She had laid her hat aside, and, as ihappened, two humming-birds thaflashed, bejewelled, in a ray of ruddy ligh

hung poised on invisible wings about thclustered blossoms of an arrow-bush thadrooped above her head. She washowever, not looking at them, bu



watching Nasmyth with thoughtful eyesEverything she wore was the work of heown fingers, but the light print dres

became her curiously well.“You have been here six months now,”she said.

“I have,” answered Nasmyth, with a littlaugh. “I almost venture to think I do yo

credit, in view of the state I was in when reached the ranch. If you hadn’t taken m

n hand, two or three days would probablhave been the length of my stay.”

The girl made no disclaimer. She was on

who admitted facts, even when they dinot chime with her wishes, and she stilregarded Nasmyth thoughtfully. Hcertainly did her credit, so far as hi

physical appearance went, for his strengt



had fully come back to him, and, as he laamong the wineberries in an easy posehis thin duck garments displayed the fin

proportions of a figure that had beerained almost to muscular perfection b

strenuous labour. The light of the palinsunset was on his bronzed face, and i

revealed the elusive delicacy thacharacterized it. Nasmyth was certainly well-favoured man, but there werrespects in which his companion was noaltogether satisfied with him. She had, ashe admitted, restored him to bodilhealth, but, after all, that was only goin

so far, and she felt it was possible that shmight accomplish a little more, thoughere was no very evident reason why sh

should wish to do so. Still, she wa

conscious of the wish.



“I was wondering,” she said, “how lonyou would be content to stay.”

asmyth gazed at her in evidenastonishment. “Stay!” he exclaimed. “Ohyou can call it twenty years, if one must bprecise.”

“Ah!” replied Laura, “in one sense, that ian admission I’m not exactly pleased thayou should make.”

The man raised himself slowly, and hiface became intent as he strove to graspher meaning. He was not in the leasastonished that she should speak to him a

she did, for there are few distinctiondrawn between the hired man and thoswho employ him on the Pacific slope, anhe had discovered already that the gir

was at least his equal in intelligence an



education. In fact, he had now and then suspicion that her views of life werbroader than his. In the meanwhile it wa

n one respect gratifying to feel that shcould be displeased at anything he mighhink or do.

“I’m not quite sure I see the drift of that,he said.

“You would be content to continue aranch-hand indefinitely?”

“Why not?” Nasmyth asked, with a smile.

Laura once more looked at him with aalmost disconcerting steadiness, and sh

had, as he was already aware, very fineyes. She, however, noticed the suggestivdelicacy of his face, which had, as ihappened, more than once somewha



displeased her, and a certain languidnesof expression, with which she had alsgrown almost impatient. This man, she ha

decided, was too readily acquiescent.“That,” she continued, “is rather a biquestion, isn’t it?”

“Ah!” said Nasmyth reflectively. “Now begin to understand. Well, I don’t mindadmitting that I once had ambitions and thmeans of gratifying them, as well as a

optimistic belief in myself. That, howeverwas rudely shattered when the meanwere withdrawn, and a man very sooearns of how little account he is i

Western Canada. Why shouldn’t I becontent to live as the ranch-hands doespecially when it’s tolerably evident tha

can’t do anything else?”



“You are forgetting that most of them wereborn to it. That counts for a good dealHave you noticed how far some of th

others drift?” A faint trace of heightenedcolour crept into her cheeks. “Perhaps oncouldn’t blame them when they have oncacquired the whisky habit and a Siwas

wife.”asmyth lay very still for a few moments

resting on one elbow among th

wineberries, for she had, after all, onlsuggested a question that had once owice troubled him. It was, however

characteristic of him that he ha

emporized, and, though he knew it musbe answered some day, had thrust it aside

“Ah!” he exclaimed, “you want to send m

away. Now, I had almost fancied I had



made things easier in various ways foyou, and we have been good comradeshaven’t we? One could call it that?”

“Yes,” agreed Laura slowly; “I think onecould call it that.”

“Then,” returned Nasmyth, “why do yo

want me to go?”t was difficult to answer, and, to begi

with, Laura did not exactly know sh

desired him to leave the ranch––in factshe was willing to admit that there werseveral reasons why she wished him tstay. Still, perhaps because she had

watched over him in his sickness, and, sGordon said, had snatched him back tife again, she had a certain pride in him

and vaguely felt that. In one sense, h

belonged to her. She would not have hi



hrow away the life she had saved, anshe had recognized, as many of his Englisfriends had not, the perilously acquiescen

side of his character. He was, she fearedone who had an unfortunate aptitude fodrifting.

“That,” she said, “is rather more than could explain either to myself or to youbut I will tell you something. They argoing to build the pulp-mill down th

valley, and they are now asking foenders for the construction of the damThe thing, I have heard, is not big enougo interest contractors from the cities, an

most of the men round here have theihands full with their ranches.”

asmyth became a trifle more intent

“Still,” he remarked, “I have never built



dam.”

“You told me you were rather a goodchopper, and I think you are. You havemade roads, too, and know how to handlgiant-powder in the rock-cutting, and howo use the drill.”

“There are shoals of men in this countrwho know considerably more about thoshings than I do.”

Laura made a little impatient gesture“Yes,” she admitted, “there are, but theyare simple Bushmen for the most part; andoes intellect count for nothing at all? Ar

a trained understanding and a quiccomprehension of no use when one builda dam?”

asmyth frowned, though she saw a littl



glow kindle in his eyes. “I’m by no meansure that I possess any of those desirablqualities. Besides, there’s a rather seriou

objection––that of finance.”Then Laura Waynefleet made it clear thashe had considered the question, and sh

favoured the man with a glimpse of thpractical side of her character.

“The stores give long credit, and partiapayments are generally made as a work o

hat kind goes on. Then it is not a verunusual thing for workmen to wait foheir wages until the contract is carriehrough.”

asmyth lay still for at least anotheminute. He had gradually lost his ambitioduring the few years he had wandere

hrough the Bush of British Columbia. Th



aimless life was often hard, but it had itcompensations, and he had learned tvalue its freedom from responsibility an

care. When he did not like a task he haundertaken, he simply left it and went oagain. Still, he had had misgivings nowand then when he noticed how far some o

his comrades had drifted. Presently hrose slowly to his feet.

“Well,” he said, “you’re right, I think, and

f I’m given an opportunity, I’ll undertakhe thing. The credit will be yours if I’successful.”

The girl rose. “Then,” she admonishedwith a faint smile, “don’t tell me that yohave failed.”

She turned away and left him somewha

abruptly, but Nasmyth did not resume hi



fishing, though he could hear the big trousplashing in the pool as the sunset lighfaded off the water. He lay down amon

he wineberries, which were scattereamong the glossy leaves like little dropof blood, to think harder than he hahought for a considerable time. An hou

ago, as he had told Laura Waynefleet, hewould have been well content to stay on ahe ranch, and, though she had roused him

he knew that it would cost him an effort teave it. He was not, he fancied, in lov

with her. Indeed, he now and theadmitted that she would probably look fo

more from the man who won her favouhan there was in him, but thcamaraderie––he could think of no betteword for it––that had existed betwee

hem had been very pleasant to him.



He realized that he was in one sense hero dispose of. She had, in all probability

saved his life, and now she wa

endeavouring to arouse his moraresponsibility. She was sending him out toplay a man’s part in the battle of life. Hadmitted that he had shrunk from it, of late

or, at least, had been content to sink bacamong the rank and file. He had made thmost of things, but that, he was beginnino realize, was, after all, a somewha

perilous habit. Laura Waynefleet evidentlconsidered that a resolute attempt to alteconditions was more becoming than t

accept them, even though one was likely tbe injured while making it. He hearfootsteps, and, looking up, saw Gordon sidown upon the cedar-log.



“I came to look at Wiston’s hand, andwalked across when I heard thaWaynefleet hadn’t been about,” he

explained. “I don’t think you need feel anparticular anxiety about your employer.”

asmyth grinned at this. Waynefleet had

spent part of one day chopping a bibalsam, and was apparently feeling theffects of the very unusual exertion. TheGordon took out his pipe.

“I guess you’re fishing?” he observed.

“I came here to get a trout for breakfast.”

“You look like it.” Gordon smiled. “As i

happened, I saw Miss Waynefleecrossing the clearing. It occurs to me thashe may have said something that set yohinking.”



“I wonder,” said Nasmyth reflectively“what made you fancy that?”

Gordon regarded him with a little twinkln his eyes. “Well,” he replied, “I have the

honour of Miss Waynefleet’acquaintance, and have some littl

knowledge of her habits.”Men make friends with one anothequickly in the Western forests, and

asmyth had acquired a curiou

confidence in his companion, in spite ohe story Gordon had told him. As th

result of this he related part, at least, owhat the girl had said. Gordon nodded.

“It’s quite likely you’ll get that contract iyou apply for it. The folks about thsettlement haven’t sent an offer in,” h

said. “The notion is naturally Mis



Waynefleet’s. It’s the kind of thing thawould appeal to her, and, in a way, it’sfortunate you have fallen into her hands

She’s one of the protesters.”“The protesters?”

“Yes,” answered Gordon; “I can’t think o

a better name for them, though it doesn’exactly convey all I mean. To make thehing a little clearer, we’ll take the othe

kind––in this country they’re best typifie

by the Indians. The Siwash found it wilderness, and made the most of it asuch. They took their toll of the salmonand fed their ponies on the natural prairigrass. If we’d left it to them for centuriet would have remained a wilderness. We

came, and found Nature omnipotent, bu

we challenged her––drove the steel roa



down the great cañon to bring uprovisions in, dyked the swamp meadowsploughed up the forest, and rent the hills

We made our protest, and, quite often, iwas no more than that, for the rivers weroo strong for us, and the Bush crept bac

upon our little clearings. Still, we neve

et go, and it’s becoming evident that whave done more than hold our own.”

He paused, and laughed in a deprecator

fashion before he went on again. “Nowand then I have an outbreak of this kind,he added lightly. “The thing would makan epic, but, if one could write it, i

wouldn’t be worth while. The protest thacounts in this land is made with the axand drill.”

The outbreak was comprehensible, for i



must be remembered that the averagWesterner, either by birth or adoption, isseldom a reticent man. He is, in fact

usually characterized by a darinoptimism, and not infrequently filled toverflowing with the clean pride oachievement. One can hear this new

world enthusiasm bubble over on publiplatforms and at brilliant functions, awell as in second-rate saloons, but it imost forcibly expressed where men toiwaist-deep in icy water building dyke andam, or blast their waggon roads out ohe side of the gloomy cañons. Thei

handiwork is not always beautiful, but onwonders to see what they have made ohat great desolation.

asmyth lay still among the wineberries



for a minute or two, and, though a colgreen transparency had replaced the fireof sunset behind the tall trunks now, and

he trout were splashing furiously in thpool, he forgot all about the rod besidhim as he pondered over a question whichad often occurred to him.

“How is it that Miss Waynefleet is conteno stay here?” he asked.

“You would hardly expect her to leave he

father.”

“No,” said Nasmyth. “Any way, that iscarcely an answer. What keep

Waynefleet here? One wouldn’t fancy heikes living in the Bush.”

“It’s a little curious that you haven’heard. Anyway, somebody is bound to tel



you. Waynefleet had to get out of the OlCountry. Some trouble about trust-moneyHe came out to Victoria and set up in th

and agency business, but it was himisfortune that he couldn’t keep out opolitics. There are folks like that. Whehey can’t handle their own affairs, they’r

anxious to manage those of the communitySomebody found out the story and flung in his face. The man hadn’t the grit in hio live it down; he struck up into the Bus

and bought the half-cleared ranch.”

For the next minute or two Nasmyth gazestraight in front of him with a ver

houghtful face, for he had now a vagurecollection of hearing or reading of thaffair in which his employer had played discreditable part. He had alread



decided that he was not in love with LaurWaynefleet––in fact, it was perhapsignificant that he had done so more tha

once, but he had a warm regard for the girwho had saved his life, and, after all, hideas were not quite so liberal as h

fancied they had become in the Western

forest. It was a trifle disconcerting tdiscover that she was the daughter of swindler.

“It hurts?” inquired Gordon dryly.asmyth rose. “To be frank,” he admitted

“it does. Still, though the subject’s a rathedelicate one, I don’t want you tmisunderstand me. After all, MisWaynefleet is not in the least responsiblefor anything her father may have done.”

“That,” said Gordon, “is a sure thing



Well, I must be hitting the trail homeAren’t you going to try for some of thosrout in the pool?”

“No,” answered Nasmyth, and his smilwas a trifle grim; “I don’t think I am.”

He watched Gordon stride away throug

he undergrowth, and then, in the creepindusk, went slowly back to the ranchWaynefleet was out when he reached itbut Laura was sitting sewing by the lamp

and she looked at him sharply when hcame in. He was unpleasantly consciouhat the light was on his face. Then the giraid down her sewing and turned fullowards him.

“I saw Mr. Gordon cross the clearing. Hhas told you why we are living here?” sh

said.



“I think,” said Nasmyth, with a slowneshat was very expressive, “it was not don

out of unkindness.”

“Oh, no,” and Laura smiled in a rathecurious fashion, “he had probably quitanother motive.” Then she leaned forwar

a little, looking at him steadily. “I knewhat he would tell you.”

asmyth stood still, with his foreheadeeply furrowed, and an unusual gravity i

his eyes. The girl’s courage and serenitappealed to him, and he was consciouhat his heart was beating rapidly. He said

nothing, for a moment or two, anafterwards remembered how still the littlroom was, and how the sweet, resinouscent of the firs flowed in through the ope

window. Then he made a vague gesture.



“There is, perhaps, a good deal one coulsay; but I fancy most of it would savour ompertinence,” he said. “After all, th

hing doesn’t affect you in any way.”Laura glanced down at her hands, an

asmyth guessed what she was thinking

for they were hard, and work-roughenedThe toil that her hands showed was, as hrealized, only a part of her burden.

“I think it affects me a very great deal,

she declared slowly.

Then a curious compassion for heroubled the man. She was young and ver

comely, and it was, he felt, cruelly hard oher that, bearing her father’s shame, shmust lead a life of hard labour at thadesolate ranch. He felt an almos

uncontrollable desire to comfort her, and



o take her cares upon himself, but thawas out of the question, since he wamerely a ranch-hand, a Bush-chopper

who owed even the food he ate and thclothes he wore to her. There is, as hrealized then, after all, very little one cado to lighten another’s load, but in tha

moment the half-formed aspirations thashe had called into existence in his minexpanded suddenly. There was, he felt, noreason why he should not acquire moneand influence, once he made the effort.

“Miss Waynefleet,” he said haltingly, “can only offer you my sincere sympathy

Still”––and perhaps he did not recognizhow clear the connection of ideawas––“I am going down to see about thadam-building contract to-morrow.”



Then Laura smiled, and took up hesewing again. Her burden, as she realizedwas hers alone, but she knew that this ma

would no longer drift. She had called uphis latent capacities, and he would provhis manhood.



CHAPTER V

THE FLOOD

The autumn afternoon was oppressivelhot when Gordon, floundering among thwhitened driftwood piled along the riverbank, came upon Nasmyth, who lay upon slope of rock, with his hands, which werbadly bruised, clenched upon a drill

Another man, who stood upon a plannserted into a crevice, swung a hammerand its ponderous head came ringing dowupon the drill, which Nasmyth jerke

round at every stroke, so many times to th



minute, with rhythmic regularity. Aasmyth was apparently too busil

engaged just then to trouble about him

Gordon sat down on a big log, and takinout his pipe, looked about him when hhad lighted it.

The river had made a gap for itself in thgreat forest that filled the valley, and thsombre firs that rose in serried ranks upots farther bank rolled back up the hillside

streaked here and there with a little thiwhite mist. A mile or so away, and lowedown the valley, there was an opening inheir shadowy masses, out of which ros

he ringing of hammers and a long trail osmoke, for workmen from the cities werbuilding the new wood-pulp mill there. Ihe foreground the river swirled by



frothing at flood level, for a week’s fiercsunshine had succeeded a month oorrential rain, and the snow high up on

distant peak was melting fast.obody about the little settlement at th

head of the deep inlet had seen the wate

quite so high at that season, and Gordonoticed how it frothed and boiled abouh e row of stone-backed piles tha

stretched out from either bank. As h

istened to the hoarse roar of the pent-uporrent, he understood what that partlcompleted dam must have cost NasmythAfter a little time Nasmyth rose, and

stepping on the plank, wearilstraightened his back.

“We’re down far enough,” he announced

“Let me have the two sticks of giant



powder, and then tell the boys to jump focover.”

The other man, who sprang down from hiperch, handed him what appeared to bwo thick sticks of yellow wax, an

Gordon watched him as he carefull

nipped a copper detonator down on ength of snaky fuse, and embedded it ihe plastic material. Then he cautiouslamped the two yellow rolls down into th

drilled-out hole. After that he lighted thfuse, and, clambering down the slope orock, saw Gordon.

“We’ll get out of this. It’s a short fuse,” hesaid.

Gordon, who was acquainted with thaction of giant-powder, had no desire to

stay, and they floundered as fast a



possible over the driftwood and masses oshattered rock until Nasmyth drew hicompanion behind a towering fir. The

here was a sharp detonation, a crash, ana shower of flying stones went smashinhrough the forest and into the river. One

which Gordon fancied must have weighe

about two hundred pounds, drove clospast them, and struck a young cedar, whicsnapped off beneath the impact. Then therwas a sudden silence, and Nasmytstretched out his arms with a suggestivweariness before he sat down and took ouhis pipe.

“No one could have expected that stone tcome this way,” he remarked, with a littlaugh. “It’s an example of how contraryhings can be. In fact, they’ve been abou



as contrary as it’s possible the last montor so. As no doubt you have noticed, onvery seldom gets much encouragemen

when he takes the uphill trail. It’s veryrarely made any easier for him.”

Gordon grinned, though he realized tha

he trail his companion had set out upowas very steep indeed. He had secured thdam-building contract, which was noastonishing, since nobody else appeare

anxious to undertake it, and he had alreadacquired a certain proficiency with thaxe and drill. There is as yet very littlspecialization in that land, which is i

many respects fortunate for those who livn it, and the small rancher cheerfull

undertakes any kind of primitivengineering that seems likely to provid



ndifference he remembered had melteout of it, the lips seemed set more firmlyand the eyes were resolute and keen

asmyth, so Gordon noticed, had growsince he first took up his duties aWaynefleet’s hired hand. Still, though iwas less apparent, the stamp of refinemen

and what Gordon called, for want of better term, “sensibility,” clung to himand it seemed to the trained observer thahe qualities it suggested might ye

handicap his comrade in a country wherhe struggle with primitive forces chiefl

demands from man an unreasoning anima

courage. In that land the small contractoand Bush-rancher must bear the brunt ohis body every day, toiling waist-deep icy waters, or gripping the drill wit

bleeding hands, while each fres



asmyth appeared to consider this. “I doand that’s a fact. For one thing, I’fighting for my own hand, and no doub

hat counts, though, perhaps, it doesn’t gquite far enough. After all, it’s a point youought to know more about than I do.”

His companion smiled. “I can describe thmechanical connection between thhought in a man’s brain and the movemen

of his muscles. It’s comparatively simple

but when you understand that, you’re onlbeginning. There’s much more behind. Toparticularize, if you had done what you’rdoing now when you were logging, i

would, in all probability, have broken youp again.”

asmyth fancied that this was correct

hough, as he had admitted, he could giv



no reason for it. He was only consciouhat he was being constrained by som

new influence, and, under the pressure i

aid upon him, he became almosnsensible to physical weariness. He ha

now a motive for fighting, in place odrifting, that no mere hired hand ca

possess. His indolent content had beerudely dissipated, and something that haain dormant in the depths of his natur

had come uppermost. It was certainlLaura Waynefleet who had given it thefirst impulse, but why he had permitteher to impose her will on him was

matter that was still incomprehensible thim. Seeing that he did not answerGordon changed the subject.

“Some of the boys and I have bee



wondering how you contrived to finanche thing,” he said.

asmyth smiled, though there was just race of darker colour in his face. “Well,”

he replied, “one can get tolerably loncredit from most of the Bush stores, an

Clipton has let me have provisions for thboys on quite reasonable terms. Besidesas it happens, there is money in the familyThere was a time when one might hav

considered it almost the duty of certairelatives of mine to give me a lift, but didn’t offer them the opportunity. I camout here and set about driving cows an

chopping trees instead.”“You felt you’d sooner cut your hand ofhan give them a gentle hint,” remarke

Gordon. “It’s not an uncommon feeling



but, when you give way to it, it clears thother people. Won’t you go on?”

“When I undertook this affair, I laid thopportunity before them, and one––the las

expected anything of that kind from––sent me out a draft. He kindly pointed ou

hat there appeared to be in me certaicapabilities, which he had never supposepossessed, and added that, if I eve

really succeeded in building a dam o

anything else useful, he would be pleaseo take a share in my next venture. In thmeanwhile, he would charge me intereson the amount of that draft. Perhaps I ma

mention that the man in question wanaturally the one the rest of them ratheooked down upon.”

Gordon laughed. “Oh, yes,” he said, “



ike that, naturally. I guess you would havaken their view of him once. Well, since

you can put your pride in your pocket

you’re evidently growing. There’s just onway of putting anything through here, anhat’s to take hold and hang right on, no

matter what it costs. I guess there’s one o

he boys wanting you.”A man stood knee-deep in the rivewaving his hand. Nasmyth rose an

stretched himself.“They seem to want me all the time frosun-up until it’s dark,” he said. “In onway it’s a little curious, since there’reason to believe that most of them know good deal more about what we’re doinhan I do myself. You’ll excuse me.”

Gordon smiled as his comrade strod



away. He was one who had studied humannature, and because he was welacquainted with the Bushman’

capabilities, he knew that there were alsimitations to them. Even in such matter

as the splitting of hard rock and thdriving of massive piles into the river

bed, the higher intelligence of the man ontellect had its effect. Gordon smoked hi

pipe out as he watched Nasmyth floundento the stream among the other men

pushing a little car loaded with brokerock that apparently ran along submerged track. Then he strolled bac

oward the settlement.asmyth toiled on in the river until th

camp-cook hammered upon a suspenderon sheet as a signal that supper wa



volunteered, “I’ll stand watch. I was in thast two nights, and I guess it’s up to me to

see you through. We’re going to have

rouble, if one of those big logs fetches uacross the sluiceway. The river’s full ohem, and she’s risen ’most a foot sinc

sun-up.”

asmyth held up one hand, and both hearhe deep roar of frothing water that camn with the smell of the firs through th

open door. The Bush was very stiloutside, and that hoarse, throbbing notflung back by the rock slope and climbinpines filled the valley. Nasmyth smiled

grimly, for it was suggestive of the greaforces against which he had pitted hipuny strength. Then there was a crashand, a few moments later, a curious thud



and both men listened, intent and strunup, until the turmoil of the river rose alonagain.

“A big log,” said the older man. “She hagone through the run. Guess we’ll get onby-and-by long enough to jamb. Now, i

you’d run out those wing-frames I wastuck on, she’d have took them straighhrough, every one.”

“The trouble was that I hadn’t the money

Mattawa,” said Nasmyth dryly.

His companion nodded, for this was rouble he could understand. “Well,” he

answered, “when you haven’t got it yohave to face the consequences. I’ll rousyou out if a big log comes along.”

Mattawa went out, and soon afterward



asmyth, whose clothes were now partldry, lay down, dressed as he was, in hiwig-packed bunk, with his pipe in hi

hand. It was growing a little colder, and keen air, which had in it the properties oan elixir, blew in, but that was a thin

asmyth scarcely noticed, and th

dominant roar of the river held hiattention. He wondered again why he habeen drawn into the conflict with it, orrather, why he had permitted LaurWaynefleet to set him such a task, and theanswer that it was because he desired thold her good opinion, and, as he ha

said, to do her credit, did not seem to gfar enough. It merely suggested the furthequestion why he should wish to keep hefriendship. Still, there was no disguisin

he fact that, once he had undertaken th



hing, it had got hold of him, and he felt hmust go on until his task was successfullaccomplished or he was crushed an

beaten. It seemed very likely, then, thautter defeat would be his fate. While hpondered, the pipe fell from his hand, anhe river’s turmoil rang in deep pulsation

hrough his dreams. He was awakenesuddenly by a wet hand on his shoulderand, scrambling out of his bunk on thnstant, he saw Mattawa with a lantern i

his hand.

“Log right across the sluice-run,” said thwatcher. “More coming along behind it

They’ll sure get piling up.”asmyth did not remember that he gav

any directions when he sprang, hal

asleep, out of the shanty. The roar o



water had a different note in it, and thclangour of the iron sheet one of the mewas pounding rang out harshly. A half

moon hung above the black pines, andimly-seen men were flitting like shadowoward the waterside. They appeared t

know what it was advisable to do, bu

hey stopped just a moment on the edge ohe torrent, for which nobody could hav

blamed them. The water, streaked witsmears of froth and foam, swirled by, andhere was a tumultuous white seethin

where the flood boiled across the log ihe midst of the stream. The log blocke

he gap left open to let the driftwoohrough, and, as Nasmyth knew, great treeorn up in distant valleys were comin

down with the flood. It seemed to him tha

he could not reasonably have expected t



clear that obstacle with a battalion of logdrivers, and he had only a handful oweary men. Still the men went in

floundering knee-deep in the flood, alonhe submerged pile of stone and clutchin

at the piles that bound it to savhemselves when the stream threatened t

sweep their feet from under them, untihey came to the gap where the great tree

rolling in the grip of the torrent, thrashets grinding branches against the stone.

Then, though it was difficult to see how man of them found a foothold, or kept it ohe heaving trunk, the big axes flashed an

fell, while a few shadowy figures raalong the top of the log to attack the massbutt across the opening. It would havbeen arduous labour in daylight and a



ow-water, but these were men who hadfaced the most that flood and frost couldo. They set about their task in the dark

for that land would have been wilderness still if the men in it had showhemselves unduly careful of either life oimb.

The great branches yielded beneath thglinting blades, and went on down riveagain, but Nasmyth, who felt the axe-haf

slip in his greasy hands, did not try tead. It was sufficient if he could keepace with the rest of the wood-chopperswhich was, after all, a thing most men

reared as he had been, would certainly nohave done. The lust of conflict was upohim that night, and, balancing himselankle-deep in water on the trunk tha



heaved and dipped beneath him, he swunhe trenchant steel. He felt that he wa

pitted against great primeval forces, and

with the gorged veins rising on hiforehead and the perspiration drippinfrom him, man’s primitive pride andpassions urged him to the struggle.

How long it was before they had strippehe tree to a bare log he did not know, buwice, as they toiled on, he saw a ma

splash into the river, and, rising in theddy beneath the submerged dam, crawdripping, out again, and at length he founhimself beside Mattawa, whirling his ax

above a widening notch, and keepinrhythmic stroke. He knew he waacquitting himself creditably then, foMattawa had swung the axe since he coul



ift it, and there are men, and mechanicsoo, who cannot learn to use it as th

Bushmen do in a lifetime; but he als

knew that he could not keep pace with hicomrade very long. In the meanwhile, hheld his aching muscles to their task, anhe gleaming blades whirled high abov

heir shoulders in the pale light of thmoon. As each left the widening gap thother came shearing down.

The other men were now plying peeviand handspike at the butt of the log, and hand Mattawa toiled on alone, two dim anshadowy figures in the midst of the flood

until at last there was a rending of fibresand Mattawa leapt clear.

“Jump!” he gasped. “She’s going.”

asmyth jumped. He went down in four o



five feet of water, and had the sense tostay there while the log drove over himThen he came up, and clutching it, held o

while it swept downstream into a slackeeddy. There were several other figureapparently clinging to the butt of it, anwhen he saw them slip off into the rive

one by one, he let go, too. He was swunout of the eddy into a white turmoil, whichurled him against froth-lapped stones, buat length he found sure footing, ancrawled up the bank, which most of hicompanions had reached before himWhen the others came up, he found that h

was aching all over, and evidently wabadly bruised. He stood still, shivering ittle, and blinked at them.

“You’re all here?” he said. “Where are



hose axes?”

t appeared that most of them were in thriver, which was not very astonishing, foa man cannot reasonably be expected tswim through a flood with a big axe in hihand, and when somebody said so

asmyth made a little gesture oresignation.

“Well,” he said, “the logs will just have tpile up, if another big one comes alon

before the morning.”

This was evident. They were all deaweary, and most of them were badl

bruised, as well, and they trooped back the shanty, while Nasmyth limped into hihut. Nasmyth sloughed off his drippingarments, and was asleep in five minute

after he had crawled into his bunk.



perhaps of having been hurled against thboulders by the rapids through which hhad reached the bank. His physica

condition did not trouble him seriouslyfor he had grown more or less accustomeo muscular weariness, and the crampin

pains which spring from toiling long hour

n cold water, and, although he made grimace, as he raised himself a trifle, iwas the sound outside that occupied mosof his attention.

The door stood open, as he had left it, ana clean, cold air that stirred his bloocame in, with the smell of fir and cedar

but what he noticed was the deeper tone ihe roar of the river that seemed flun

back in sonorous antiphones by thclimbing pines. It had occurred to him o



other occasions when he was in a fancifumood that they were singing a majesti

enedicite, but just then he was uneasil

conscious that there was a new note in thgreat reverberating harmonies. Statelpine and towering cedar had raised theivoices, too, and a wild wailing fel

hrough the long waves of sound from thhighest of them on the crest of the hill. Iwas evident that a fresh breeze wablowing down the valley, and, as it mushave swept the hollow farther up amonhe ranges, which was filled with a deep

blue lake, Nasmyth realized that it woul

drive at least another foot of water into thriver as well as set adrift the giant loghat lay among the boulders. Even thehey were, he fancied, in all probabilit

driving down upon his half-finished dam.



Rousing himself with an effort, hclambered out of his bunk, and thegripped the little table hard, for his hip

pained him horribly as his weight camupon it. Then, as he struggled into hiclothing, there was a heavy thud outsidehat was followed by a crashing an

grinding, and a gasping man appeared ihe door of the shanty.

“Big log across the run,” he cried, “thre

or four more of them coming along.”asmyth, who said nothing, set his lip

ight, and was out of the shanty in anothemoment or two. A glance at the riveshowed him that any effort he could makwould, in all probability, be futile; but hand the others waded out into the floo

and recommenced the struggle. That, a



east, was a thing they owed themselves, and they toiled for an hour owo very much as they had done in th

darkness; only that fresh logs were nowcoming down on them every few minutesand at last they recognized that they werbeaten. Then they went back dejectedly

and Nasmyth sat down to breakfast, thoughe had very little appetite. He felt that alhe strength he had would be needed tha

day.

After breakfast he lay among the bouldergnawing his unlighted pipe and watchinhe growing mass of driftwood that chafe

and ground against the piles of the damothing, he recognized, could save th

dam now. It was bound to go, for the pilewere only partly backed with stone, and



There was a dull crash; the piles that rosabove the flood collapsed, and the mass ogrinding timber drove on across the ruine

dam. Then Nasmyth rose, and, stretchinhimself wearily, went back to his shantyHe felt he could not face the sympathy ohis workmen. He was still sitting there i

a state of utter physical weariness anblack dejection, when, towards the middlof the afternoon, the door was quietlopened, and Laura Waynefleet came inShe looked at him as he remembered shhad done once or twice at the ranch, witcompassion in her eyes, and he was

ittle astonished to feel that, instead obringing him consolation, her pity hurhim. Then he felt the blood rise to hiface, and he looked away from her.



“You have heard already?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the girl softly. “I was at thesettlement, and they told me there. I am ssorry.”

asmyth winced, but he contrived to say“Thank you,” and then glanced round th

untidy shanty, which was strewn witdripping clothes. “Of course,” he added“it is something to know that I have yousympathy; but I must not keep you here.”

t was not a tactful speech, but Laursmiled. “I meant to take you out,” she said“You have been sitting here brooding

since the dam went, and from whaMattawa told me, you haven’t had andinner.”

“No,” said Nasmyth; “now I come to thin



of it, I don’t believe I have. I’m not surt’s very astonishing.”

“Then we’ll go away somewhere anmake tea among the pines.”

asmyth glanced suggestively at his attireHis duck jacket had shrunk with constan

wetting, and would not button across thold blue shirt, which fell apart at hibronzed neck. The sleeves had also drawup from his wrists, and left the backs o

his hands unduly prominent. His handwere scarred, and the fingers werbruised where the hammer-head had falleon them in wet weather as it glanced frohe drill. The girl was immaculate in

white hat and a dress of light flowereprint.

“Do I look like going on a picnic wit



you?” he said. “The few other things possess are in much the same condition.”

Laura had naturally noticed the state of hiattire, but it was his face that troubled hert was haggard and his eyes were heavy

As she had decided long before, it was

face of Grecian type, and she woulsooner have had it Roman. This man, shfelt, was too sensitive, and apt to yield tsudden impulses, and just then her hear

ached over him. Still, she contrived taugh.

“Pshaw!” she said. “I told Mattawa to geme a few things ready.”

asmyth followed her out of the shantyand when he had picked up the basket ankettle somebody had left at the door, sh

urned to him.



“Where shall we go?” she asked.

“Anywhere,” said Nasmyth, “that is, aong as it’s away from the river.”

Laura saw the shrinking in his eyes as hgazed at the swirling flood, and though shwas sorry for him, it roused in her

momentary spark of anger. Then she wenwith him up the hillside beneath thclimbing pines until they reached shadowy hollow near the crest of it, out o

which a little stream trickled down.

“Now light a fire, while I see what thers in the basket,” she said.

She found a splendid trout, a packet of teaand a little bag of self-raising flouramong other sundries, and for the nexhalf-hour she kept Nasmyth busy makin



flapjacks and frying the trout. Then thesat down to a simple meal, and when iwas over, Nasmyth laughed.

“It’s a little astonishing, in view of how felt at breakfast, but there’s nothing left,he sighed. “In one way the admission’s

ittle humiliating, but I almost feel myselagain.”

“It’s supposed to be a very natural one inhe case of a man,” said Laura. “You can

smoke if you like. I want to talk to you.”

asmyth stretched himself out on the otheside of the fire, and Laura, leanin

forward a little, looked at him. Withouknowing exactly why, he felt somewhauneasy beneath her gaze.

“Now,” she said, “I would like to hea



what you are going to do.”

The man made a little rueful gesture. “don’t know. Chop trees again for somrancher, most probably––in fact, I wawondering whether you would have mback as a ranch-hand.”

“Ah!” cried the girl sharply, while a tracof hardness crept into her eyes, “that ivery much what I expected. As it happens

am far from satisfied with the man w

have, but I should not think of replacinhim with you just now.”

asmyth winced, and it was characteristi

of him that he endeavoured to beguile heaway from the object she evidently had iview.

“What’s the matter with the man?” h



asked.

“A diversity of gifts. Among other thingshe appears to possess an extensivacquaintance with Colonial politics, anhe and my father discuss the regeneratioof the Government when they might wit

advantage be doing something else.”asmyth frowned. “I understand. That’

one reason why I wanted to come backAfter all, there is a good deal I could sav

you from. In fact, I get savage now anhen when I think of what you are probabl

being left to do upon the ranch. I venturea hint or two to your father, but he seemedmpervious.” He hesitated for a momen

“No doubt it’s a delicate subject, but it’s aittle difficult quietly to contemplate th

fact that, while those men talk politics



you––”

“I do their work?” suggested Laura with ifting of her arched eyebrows. “After allsn’t that or something like it wha

generally happens when men turn theibacks upon their task?”

asmyth flushed. “I admit that I was tryino break away from mine, but it seems yo

have undertaken to head me off and drivme back to it again.”

“That was more or less what I wished,said Laura quietly.

“Well,” Nasmyth replied, “as I think

you’re a little hard on me, I’ll try to pumy views before you. To begin with, thedam is done for.”

“You are quite sure? You built it so far



once. Is it altogether out of the questiofor you to do as much again?”

asmyth felt his face grow hot. She waooking at him with quiet eyes, which had

however, the faintest suggestion of disdain them.

“The question is why I should want to dt,” he said.

“Ah!” rejoined Laura, “you have n

aspirations at all? Still, I’m not quite surhat is exactly what I mean––in fact, I thinmean considerably more. You are quite

content to throw away your birthright, an

relinquish all claim to the station yowere born in?”

The man smiled somewhat bitterly. “hink you understand that it’s a custom o



his country not to demand from any maan account of what he may have donbefore he came out to it. In my particula

case it was, however, nothing verdiscreditable, and I once had maspirations, or, as you prefer to considet, I recognized my obligations. Then th

blow fell unexpectedly, and I came ouhere and became a hired man––wandering chopper. After all, one learno be content rather easily, which is i

several ways fortunate. Then you instillefresh aspirations––it’s the right word ihis case––into me, and I made anothe

attempt, only to be hurled back againThere doesn’t seem to be much use iattempting the impossible.”

“Then a thing is to be considere



mpossible after one fails twice? Therare men who fail––and go on again––alheir lives long.”

“I’m afraid,” Nasmyth declared in a dulone, “I am not that kind of man. After allo be flung down from the station yo

were born to––I’m using your owwords––and turned suddenly adrift tabour with one’s hands takes a good dea

of the courage out of one. I almost think i

you could put yourself in my place yowould understand.”

Laura smiled in a suggestive fashion, anooked down at the hands she laid upo

her knee. They were capable, as well ashapely, and, as he had noticed more thanonce, the signs of toil were very plain o

hem.



“I never did an hour’s useful work beforcame out West,” she said.

She had produced the effect she probabldesired, for in the midst of his sudden pitfor her Nasmyth was troubled with a sensof shame. This girl, he realized, had bee

reared as gently as he had been himselfand he knew that she now toiled most oevery day at what in the older countrwould have been considered mos

unwomanly tasks. Still, she had bornwith it cheerfully, and had courage tospare for others whose strength was leshan hers.

He sat silent for almost a minute, lookindown between the great pines into thvalley, and, as he did so, he vaguely fel

he influence of the wilderness steal ove



him. The wind had fallen now, and therwas a deep stillness in the climbing foreswhich the roar of the river emphasized

Those trees were vast of girth, and thewere very cold. In spite of whirling snowand gale, and frost, they had grown slowlo an impressive stateliness. In Nature, a

he recognized, all was conflict, and it wahe fine adjustment of opposing forces tha

made for the perfection of grace, anstrength, and beauty. Then it seemed tohim that his companion was like thforest––still, and strong, and stately––because she had been through the stress o

conflict too. These were, howeverfancies, and he turned around again to hewith a sudden resolution expressed in hiface and attitude.



“There’s an argument you might havused, Miss Waynefleet,” he told her. “said I would try to do you credit, and i

almost seems as if I had forgotten it. Wellf you will wait a little, I will try again.”

He rose, and, crossing over, stood clos

beside her, with his hand laid gently oher shoulder, looking down on her with quiet smile. “After all,” he added, “there’a good deal you might have said that yo

haven’t––in fact, it’s one of your stronpoints that, as a rule, you content yourselwith going just far enough. Well, becauseyou wish it, I am somehow going to buil

hat dam again.”She looked up at him swiftly with a glean her eyes, and Nasmyth stooped a little

while his hand closed hard upon he



shoulder.

“You saved my life, and you have tried todo almost as much in a different way sinchen,” he went on. “It is probably easier t

bring a sick man back to health than it is tmake him realize his obligations and t

mbue him with the courage to face thewhen it’s evident that he doesn’t possest. Still, you can’t do things of that kin

without results, and I think you ought t

know that I belong to you.”There was a trace of colour in LaurWaynefleet’s face, and she quivered aittle under his grasp, but she looked a

him steadily, and read his mind in hieyes. The man was stirred by suddenevanescent passion and exaggerate

gratitude, while pity for her had, sh



“After all,” she reminded him, “you wilremember that I expect you to do mcredit.”

She drove away, and Nasmyth walkedback to his camp beside the dam, wherhe men were awaiting the six o’cloc

supper. He leaned upon a pine-stumpooking at them gravely, when he hadcalled them together.

“Boys,” he said, “the river, as you know

has wiped out most of the dam. Now, iwas a tight fit for me to finance the thingand I don’t get any further payment untihe stone-work’s graded to a certain level

Well, if you leave me now, I’ve jusenough money in hand to square off witeach of you. You see, if you go you’re

sure of your pay. If you stay, most of the



money will go to settle the storekeeper’and the powder bills, and should we faiagain, you’ll have thrown your time away

’d like you to understand the thing; buwhether you stay or not, I’m holding on.”

There was silence for half a minute, an

hen the men, gathering into little groupswhispered to one another, until Mattawstood forward.

“All you have to do is to go straigh

ahead. We’re coming along with yousolid––every blame one of us,” he said.

A red flush crept into Nasmyth’s face.

“Thank you, boys. After that I’ve got to puhis contract through,” he answered.



CHAPTER VII

LAURA MAKES A DRESS

The frost had grown keener as darknescrept over the forest, and the towerinpines about the clearing rose in greablack spires into the nipping air, but iwas almost unpleasantly hot in the littlgeneral room of Waynefleet’s ranch

Waynefleet, who was fond of physicacomfort, had gorged the snapping stoveand the smell of hot iron filled the logwalled room. There was also a dryness i

ts atmosphere which would probabl



have had an unpleasant effect upon anyonnot used to it. The rancher, however, didnot appear to feel it. He lay drowsily in

big hide chair, and his old velvet jackeand evening shoes were strangely out oharmony with his surroundingsWaynefleet made it a rule to dress for the

six o’clock meal, which he persisted icalling dinner.

He had disposed of a quantity of potatoe

and apples at the settlement of late, anhad now a really excellent cigar in hihand, while a little cup of the Mochcoffee, brought from Victoria for hi

especial use, stood on the table besidhim. Waynefleet had cultivated tastes, andnvariably gratified them, when it wa

possible, while it had not occurred to hi



hat there was anything significant in thfact that his daughter confined herself the acrid green tea provided by th

settlement store. He never did notice point of that kind, and, if anyone haventured to call his attention to it, hwould probably have been indignant a

well as astonished. As a rule, howevernobody endeavours to impress unpleasanfacts upon men of Waynefleet’s charactern their case it is clearly not worth while.

“Do you intend to go on with thadressmaking much longer?” he askepetulantly. “The click of your scissors ha

an irritating effect on me, and, as you mahave noticed, I cannot spread my paper ohe table. It cramps one’s arms to hold i

up.”



Laura swept part of the litter of fabric ofhe table, and it was only natural that sh

did it a trifle abruptly. She had been bus

with rough tasks, from most of which hefather might have relieved her had hpossessed a less fastidious temperamenuntil supper, and there were reasons wh

she desired an hour or two to herself.“I will not be longer than I can help,” shsaid.

Waynefleet lifted his eyebrowsardonically as he glanced at the scatterestrips of fabric. “This,” he said, “ievidently in preparation for that ridiculoupulp-mill ball. In view of the primitivmanners of the people we shall bcompelled to mix with, I really think I a

exercising a good deal of self-denial i



consenting to go at all. Why you shoulwish to do so is, I confess, altogethebeyond me.”

“I understood that you considered iadvisable to keep on good terms with thmanager,” said Laura, with a trace o

mpatience. “He has bought a good deal oproduce from you to feed his workmewith.”

Her father made a gesture of resignation

“One has certainly to put up with a goodeal that is unpleasant in this barbarouand––in fact, almost everything in it jar

upon one,” he complained. “Youhowever, I have sometimes wondered tonotice, appear almost content here.”

Laura looked up with a smile, but sai

nothing. She, at least, had the sense an



he courage to make the most of whacould not be changed. It was a relief to hewhen, a minute or two later, the hired ma

opened the door.“If you’ve got the embrocation, I guess I’lgive that ox’s leg a rub,” he said.

Waynefleet rose and turned to the girl“I’ll put on my rubber overshoes,” hannounced. “As I mentioned that I mighhave to go out, it’s a pity you didn’t thin

of laying out my coat to warm.”

Laura brought the overshoes, and hpermitted her to fasten them for him and t

hold his coat while he put it on, aftewhich he went out grumbling, and she sadown again to her sewing with a straineexpression in her eyes, for there wer

imes when her father tried her patienc



severely. She sighed as she contemplatedhe partly rigged-up dress stretched out ohe table, for she could not help

remembering how she had last worn it at brilliant English function. Then she habeen flattered and courted, and now shwas merely an unpaid toiler on the lonel

ranch. Money was, as a rule, signallscarce there, but even when there were few dollars in Waynefleet’s possession, iseldom occurred to him to offer any ohem to his daughter. It is also certain tha

nobody could have convinced him that iwas only through her efforts he was abl

o keep the ranch going at all. She nevesuggested anything of the kind to him, bushe felt now and then that her burden waalmost beyond her strength.



She quietly went on with her sewingThere was to be a dance at the new pulpmill, which had just been roofed, and

after all, she was young, and could take certain pleasure in the infrequenfestivities of her adopted countryBesides, the forest ranchers dance wel

and there were men among them who haonce followed other occupations; whilshe knew that Nasmyth would be there–n fact, having at length raised his dam the desired level, he would be to a certai

extent an honoured guest. She was noexactly sure how she regarded him, thoug

t was not altogether as a comrade, ans he felt there was, in one sense, somustice in his admission that he belongeo her. She had, in all probability, saved

his life, and––what was, perhaps, a



much––had roused him from supinacquiescence, and inspired him with sustaining purpose. After the day when sh

had saved him from abject despair ovehis ruined dam, he had acquitted himselvaliantly, and she had a quiet pride in himMoreover, she was aware of a natura

desire to appear to advantage at thapproaching dance.

There was, however, difficulty to b

grappled with. The dress was old, anwhen remade in a later style would bunfortunately plain. The few pairs ogloves she had brought from England wer

stained and spotted with damp, and heeyes grew wistful as she turned over thstock list of a Victoria dry goods storeThe thing would be so easy, if she had



only a little more money, but she sighed ashe glanced into her purse. Then she tooup the gloves and a strip of trimming, an

ooked at them with a little frown, buwhile she did so there were footstepoutside, and the door was opened. A manwhom she recognized as a hired hand fro

a ranch in the neighbourhood, stood in thentrance with a packet in his hand.

“I won’t come in,” he said. “I me

asmyth down at the settlement. He’d juscome back from Victoria, and he asked mo bring this along.”

He went away after he had handed her thpacket, and a gleam of pleasure crept intLaura’s eyes when she opened it. Therwas first of all a box of gloves of variou

colours, and then inside another packet



wonderful piece of lace. The artistidelicacy of the lace appealed to her, fohough she possessed very few daint

hings she was fond of them, and shalmost fancied that she had not seeanything of the kind more beautiful iEngland.

As she unfolded it a strip of paper fell outand the warm blood swept into her face ashe read the message on it.

“Considering everything, I really donhink you could regard it as a liberty,” i

ran. “You have given me a good deamore than this.”

Then for just a moment her eyes grewhazy. In proportion to the man’s means, iwas a costly gift, and, except for him

nobody had shown her much consideratio



since she had left England. She was rifle perplexed, for she did not think ther

was lace of that kind on sale often i

Victoria, and, in regard to the gloves, iwas not evident how he had known hesize. Then she remembered that one of thcotton ones she sometimes wore ha

disappeared some little time before, anonce more the flush crept into her cheeksThat almost decided her not to wear hiace, but she felt that to refrain from doin

so would raise the question as to how thestood with regard to one another, whicwas one she did not desire to think ou

closely then; and, after all, the lace waexactly what she wanted to complete thdress. She rolled it together, and put it andhe gloves away, but she treasured th

ittle note.



t was a week later when her father drovher to the pulp-mill in a jolting waggonand arrived there a little earlier than h

had expected. A dance usually begins witha bountiful supper in that country, buWaynefleet, who was, as a rule, willing toborrow implements or teams from hi

Bush neighbours, would seldom eat withem when he could help it. He wa

accordingly not quite pleased to find thsupper had not yet been cleared away, buLaura, who understood what he wafeeling, contrived to lead him into vacant place at one of the tables. Then sh

sat down, and looked about her.The great room was hung with flags ancedar boughs, and the benches down thong uncovered tables were crowded. Th



men’s attire was motley––broadcloth anduck; white shirts, starched or limp, anblue ones; shoes with the creeper-spike

filed down, and long boots to the kneesThere were women present also, and thewore anything from light print, puogether for the occasion, to treasure

garments made in Montreal or Torontoperhaps a dozen years before, but for alhat the assembly was good to look upon

There was steadfast courage in thbronzed faces, and most of those who saabout the long tables had kindly eyes. Thstamp of a clean life of effort was upo

hem, and there was a certain lithgracefulness in the unconscious poses ohe straight-limbed men. There was n

sign of limp slovenliness about them

Even in their relaxation they were inten



and alert, and, as she watched them, Laurrealized something of their restlesactivity and daring optimism. The

believe in anything that is good enough ihat country, and are in consequenc

cheerfully willing to attempt anythingeven if to other men it would appea

altogether visionary and impossible, ansimple faith goes a long way whesupplemented by patient labour. Laursuddenly became conscious that thmanager of the pulp-mill, a little wirman, in white shirt and store clothes, waspeaking at the head of the table.

“In one way, it’s not a very big thing wehave done, boys,” he said; and Laura waquick to notice the significance of the facwhich was also characteristic of th



country, that he counted himself as one ohem. “We’ve chopped a hole in the

primeval forest, held back the river, and

set up our mill. That’s about all on thface of it, but there’s rather more behindt’s another round with Nature, and we’v

got her down again. It’s a thing you hav

o do west of the Rockies, or she’ll crushe life out of you. There are folks in th

Eastern cities who call her beneficent; buhey don’t quite understand what was lai

on man in Eden long ago. Here he’s upagainst flood and frost and snow. Well, guess we’ve done about all we can, an

now that I’ve paid my respects to thchopper and carpenter-gang, there’another man I want to mention. He toohold of the contract to put us up our dam

and kept hold through the blamedest kin



of luck. There’s hard grit in him and thboys he led, and the river couldn’t wash iout of them. Well, when the big turbine

are humming and the mill’s grinding oumoney for all of you, I guess you’re goino remember the boys who built the dam.”

There was a shout which shook thwooden building, and Laura sat very stilwhen Nasmyth stood up. There was ndoubt that he was a favourite wit

everybody there, and she knew that shhad nerved him to the fight. He did noappear altogether at ease, and she waitewith a curious expectancy for what he ha

o say. It was very little, but shappreciated the tact which made him ushe speech his audience was accustomeo.



“I had a good crowd,” he said. “With thboys I had behind me I couldn’t bacdown.” Then his voice shook a little

“Still, I was mighty near it once or twicet was the boys’ determination to hold

on––and another thing––that put new grin me.”

Without being conscious of what he wadoing, he swept his glance down the lonable until it rested on Laura Waynefleet’s

face. She felt the blood creep into hecheeks, for she knew what he meant, bushe looked at him steadily, and her eyewere shining. Then he spread his hand

out.“I felt I daren’t shame boys of that kind,he said, and hastily sat down.

His observations were certainl



somewhat crude, but the little quiver in hivoice got hold of those who heard himand once more the big building rang wit

cheering. As the sound of heartacclamation died away there was a greaclatter of thrust-back benches througwhich the tuning of a fiddle broke. The

out of the tentative twang of strings roseclear and silvery, the lament of FlorMacdonald, thrilling with melancholy, andhere were men and women there whos

hearts went back to the other wild anmisty land of rock and pine and frothinriver which they had left far away acros

he sea. It may be that the musician desirea contrast, or that he was merely feelinfor command of the instrument, for thplaintive melody that ran from shift to shif

nto a thin elfin wailing far up the sobbin



strings broke off suddenly, and wafollowed by the crisp jar of crashinchords. Then “The Flowers of Edinburgh

rang out with Caledonian verve in it and mad seductive swing, and the gueststreamed out to the middle of the floorThat they had just eaten an excellen

supper was a matter of no account withem.

asmyth, in the meanwhile, elbowed hi

way through the crowd of dancers until hstood at Laura’s side, and as he looked aher, there was a trace of embarrassment ihis manner. She wore his lace, but unti

hat moment her attire had never suggestehe station to which she had been bornow she seemed to have stepped, fres

and immaculate, untouched by toil, out o



he world to which he had once belongedShe was, for that night at least, no longean impoverished rancher’s daughter, but

ady of station. With a twinkle in his eyeshe made her a little formal inclination, anshe, knowing what he was thinkinganswered with an old-world curtsey, afte

which a grinning ox-teamster of habitanextraction turned and clapped Nasmyth’shoulder approvingly.

“V’la la belle chose!” he said. “MamsellLaura is altogether ravissante. Me, I dancwith no one else if she look at me likdat.”

Then Nasmyth and Laura laughed, anglided into the dance, though, in the casof most of their companions, “plunged

would have been the better word for i



English reserve is not esteemed in thaand, and the axemen danced with th

mingled verve of grey Caledonia an

ight-hearted France, while a little mawith fiery hair from the misty Westernsles shrieked encouragement at them, an

maddened them with his fiddle. Eve

asmyth and Laura gave themselves up the thrill of it, but as they swung togethehrough the clashing of the measure, whic

some of their companions did not knowvery well, confused recollections swephrough their minds, and they recalle

dances in far different surroundings. Now

and then they even fell back into old trickof speech, and then, remembering, brokoff with a ringing laughter. They weryoung still, and the buoyancy of th

country they had adopted was in both o



hem.

The dance ended too soon, and, when thmusic broke off with a crash of clanginchords, Nasmyth led his partner out of thpress into a little log-walled room wherhe half-built dynamos stood. It wa

ighted, but a sharp cool air and the fret ohe river came in through a black openinn one wall. Laura sat upon a large dea

case, and Nasmyth, looking down upo

her, leaned against a dynamo. He smiledas he recognized that she grasped thsignificance of the throbbing roar owater.

“It was very pleasant while it lastedbut––and it’s a pity––the music hastopped,” he said. “What we are now

istening to is the turmoil of a Canadia



river.”

Laura laughed, though there was wistfulness in her eyes. “Oh, I understandbut couldn’t you have let me forget it jusfor to-night?” she said. “I suppose thaprivilege was permitted to Cinderella.”

The man felt curiously sorry for her as hremembered how hard her life was at thonely ranch, but he knew she would no

be pleased if he expressed his thoughts.

“Well,” he observed reflectively, “a thingoften looks most attractive when it’forbidden you, or a long way off, and, yo

see, there are always compensations. Ifact, I’m beginning to come across quite few of them.”

He broke off for a moment, and Laura



with the question. She did not think he waaltogether in love with her, but she knewat least, that he did not wish to go awa

while she was left behind in Canada. Iseemed desirable to change the subjecand she touched the lace.

“I have to thank you for this,” she said. “Ihas given me pleasure.” Then––and thwords were wholly unpremeditated––shadded: “I wanted to look well––just fo

once––to-night.”She was sorry, a moment later, when shesaw the quick change in the man’expression, for she remembered that thehad always seemed to understand what thother meant. It was clear that thqualification just for once had not misle

him, but, after all, it seemed to her that h



settling up everything, the interim paymeneft me with about fifteen dollars in hand.”

Laura was not astonished at this, but shwas more than a little perplexed, for shfancied that the lace she was wearing mushave cost a good deal more than fiftee

dollars. Still, she had no wish to make ievident that he had been extravagant; andwhile she considered the matter, a maappeared in the doorway.

“I guess you two have got to come righout,” he said. “What d’you figure yowere asked here for?”

asmyth held his arm out, but when Laurwould have laid her hand upon it, the mabroke in with a grin.

“No, sir,” he said severely, “Mis



Waynefleet’s going right round. Nowyou’re coming along with me, and we’lshow them how to waltz.”

Laura smiled good-humouredly, and hswept her into the dance, while Nasmytwas seized upon by a girl, who drove hi

hrough it much as she did her brother’steers in the Bush.

“A bump or two don’t count for muchWhat you want to do is to hump yoursel

and make things hum,” said Nasmyth’partner, when another couple jostled them

asmyth expressed his concurrence in

gasp, and contrived to save her froanother crash, but when the dance waover, he felt limp, and was conscious thahis partner was by no means satisfied wit

him.



“I’m sorry,” he said. “Still, I really think did what I could.”

The girl regarded him halcompassionately. “Well,” she said, “iwasn’t very much, but I guess you playeyourself out building that blamed dam.”



manhood, and to keep their word, and nowhey danced as determinedly.

There are no cramping conventions anvery few shams––and the shams in thosforests, it must be confessed, are as a rulmported ones. In fact, there was tha

evening, among all those in the pulp-milonly one man who seemed to disassociathimself from the general good-will. Thaman was Waynefleet. He wore his ol

velvet jacket as a cloak osuperciliousness––or, at least, that wahow it seemed to the Bush-ranchers, whrecognized and resented an effete pride i

he squeak of his very ancient lacquereshoes. It is possible that he did not meao make himself in any way offensive, an

merely desired to indicate that he wa



Then he saw the sudden contraction oasmyth’s face, and turned toward him

“Now,” he said, “I want you to understan

his thing. If it would be any comfort ther, I’d let Miss Waynefleet wipe heboots on me, and in one way that’s abouall I’m fit for. I know enough to realiz

hat she’d never waste a moment thinkinof a man like me, even if I hadn’t ianother way done for myself already.”

“Still,” Nasmyth replied quietly, “somwomen can forgive a good deal.”

Gordon’s face hardened, and he seemed tostraighten himself. “Well, there are men––any way, in this country––who have toomuch grit in them to go crawling, brokeno any woman’s feet, and to expect her to

pick them up and mend them. Now yo



when somebody flung a sharp, incredulouquestion at the speaker, he stood fast in thdoorway, with one hand clenched.

“Well,” said the man, with a suggestivegrin, “what I mean’s quite plain. Is therany other girl, round this settlement who’

make up to that dam-builder as she’doing, and slip quietly into his shantalone?”

asmyth never learned what grievanc

against Waynefleet or his daughter hadprompted this virulence, nor did it appeao matter. There was just sufficien

foundation for the man’s insinuation torender it perilous if it was once permitteo pass unchallenged, and Nasmyt

realized that any attempt to handle th

affair delicately was not likely to b



successful. He was afterwards greatlastonished that he could think clearly anmpose a certain command upon himself

but he understood exactly what it wamost advisable for him to do, and he seabout it with a curious cold quietneswhich served his purpose well.

There was a gasp of astonishment froone of the group as he stepped forwarnto the light and looked with steady eye

at the man who had spoken.“Jake,” he said, “you are a d––– liar.”

t was what the others had expected, an

hey rose and stood back a little from thpair, watching expectantly; for therecognized that the affair was seriousand, though Nasmyth had their sympathy

an impartial attitude was the correct on



now. Jake was tall and lean and muscularbut perhaps the dam-builder’s quietnesdisconcerted him, or his bitterness ha

only extended to the rancher.“Now,” Jake growled, “you light out ohis. I don’t know that I’ve anythin

against––you.”asmyth had his back to the door, and h

did not see the grizzled Mattawa, whwas supposed to be one of the stronges

choppers about the settlement, standing ittle behind him, and watching him an

Jake attentively. Still, one of the otherdid, and made a sign to Mattawa that ansupport he might feel disposed to offer hiemployer would not be tolerated in thmeanwhile. Nasmyth, however, realized

hat there was only one course open t



him, and he drew back one hand as he mehe uneasy eyes of the man in front of him.

“You are going to back down on what yousaid?” he asked, with incisive quietness.

“Not a d––– word,” the other man assurehim.

“Then,” said Nasmyth, “you must take thconsequences.”

He swung forward on his left foot, an

here was a thud as his scarred knuckleanded heavily in the middle of th

detractor’s face. He struck with aunexpected swiftness and all the force tha

was in him, for he had learned that thrules of the trial by combat are by nmeans so hard and fast in BritisColumbia as they are in England. As



matter of fact, it is not very frequentlresorted to there; but when men do fighheir one object is to disable thei

opponents as soon as possible and by anmeans available.

Jake reeled backwards a pace or two, an

he spectators said afterwards there wano reason why Nasmyth should havpermitted him to recover himself, as hdid. Two axes which the carpenters had

been using stood against the wall, anJake caught up the nearest of them. Hswung the gleaming blade high, while thblood trickled from his cut lips and th

swollen veins rose on his forehead. Thishowever, was going further than the otherconsidered admissible, and there was protesting shout, while one sturdy fellow



cautiously slid along the wall to get ibehind the man who had the axe.

Still, for a second or two, which mighhave proved fatal to him, Nasmyth haonly his own resources to depend uponand he did the one thing that was possible

The Canadian axe-haft is long, and hsprang straight in at the man. As he did sohe big blade came down, and flashed by

hand’s breadth behind his shoulders. H

felt a burning pain on the outside of hihigh, but that did not seem to matter, andhe was clutching at his opponent’s throawhen he was bodily flung aside. Then, a

he fell against the log wall, he had momentary glimpse of Jake benbackwards in Mattawa’s arms. There waa brief floundering scuffle as the two me



There was a little laugh from the othersand he knew he had done wisely, whehey clumsily expressed their satisfactio

at his escape. He had, at least, discrediteJake, and it was evident that if the mamade any more assertions of a similanature, which was very unlikely, no on

would listen to them.n the meanwhile, nobody else seemed t

be aware that anything unusual was goin

on. All had happened in a minute or twoand the clanging of the fiddle and thpatter of the dancers’ feet had drownedany sound that rose from the dynamo

room. Nasmyth had not long to wait beforGordon stepped in and quietly set abouhis surgical work, after someone hadipped up a little water from the sluice.



“Yes,” said Gordon, “it’s quite a niceclean slice, and I guess it’s not going torouble you much, though you won’t wal

very far for a week or two. As soon as wcan get you to the dam, I’ll put a propedressing on.” Then he looked up sharply“In the meanwhile, I don’t quite see how

you cut yourself like that.”“As a matter of fact, I didn’t,” sai

asmyth, with evident reluctance. “

suppose you will have to be told.” Hooked round at the others. “Boys, particularly don’t want this thing to go anfurther.”

He related what had happened, and one ohe men stood up. “I wouldn’t worry ovehat,” he replied. “We’re not going to talk

and if Jake does, one of us will pound



ittle sense into him. Now I’ll slip out anget Highton’s team.”

After that they gave Nasmyth some ciderand a few minutes later he limped ouhrough the opening in the wall and acroshe plank they laid above the sluice to th

waiting waggon. It was not far to the damand before very long Gordon was bacagain at the mill. It naturally happenedhough he was anxious to avoid her, tha

Laura Waynefleet was the first personwho accosted him.

“Have you seen Mr. Nasmyth?” she asked

“Oh, yes,” said Gordon. “I saw him ittle while ago. You are wanting him?”

Laura laughed. “I believed I promised hianother dance. It’s a little curious h



hasn’t come for it.”

“In one way it’s deplorably bad taste.”

The girl was quick to notice that his gazwas not quite frank, and he winced whefor a moment she laid her hand upon hiarm, for he saw the veiled anxiety in he

eyes.“Something has been going on,” she said“You don’t want to tell me where Mr

asmyth is.”“He has just gone back to the dam. He gohurt––a trifling cut––nothing more thahat. Still, I insisted on tying it up.”

“Ah,” cried Laura sharply, “you evidentldon’t wish me to know how he got it!”

“It is just what I don’t mean to do. Any



way, it’s not worth while troubling aboutasmyth’s injury isn’t in the leas

serious.”

“It doesn’t seem to strike you that I coulask him myself.”

Gordon would have liked to warn her t

keep away from the dam, but he did nosee how it could be done unless he offeresome reason, and that was a thing hshrank from.

“Oh, yes,” he said, “you certainly could.Then he glanced down at her hands“Those are unusually pretty gloves yo

have on.”His answer was, as it happened, almost anjudicious as he could have rendered it

since it left the girl determined to sift th



matter thoroughly. She, however, onlysmiled just then.

“I think there isn’t a nicer pair of gloves iCanada than these,” she said.

Gordon took himself away, wonderinwhat she could have meant by that; an

Laura waited until next day, whenalthough there was, as usual, a good deao be done about the ranch, she went dowo find out what was the matter wit

asmyth.

The injured man was sitting in his shantywith his foot upon a chair, but he ros

when she came in, and stood leaninrather hard upon the table.

“It is very kind of you to come,” he saidaking her hand. He made shift to limp t



he door, whence he called for Mattawa.

“Bring those two chairs out, Tom, and puhem in the sun,” he said.

The old axeman shook his head severely“You sit right down again. What in thename of wonder are you on your legs for

any way?” he asked. Then he saw Lauraand made a little gesture of resignation“Well, I guess it will have to be done.”

The sudden change in his attitude wanaturally not lost upon the girl, but shkept her astonishment to herself, anwaited until Mattawa had made Nasmyt

as comfortable as possible. Then shurned to him.

“I am very sorry you are hurt,” she said. “understand it was an axe cut. How did i



“I almost fancied you were not overjoyeo see me,” she remarked.

asmyth appeared momentarilembarrassed, but his expression suddenlchanged, and Laura felt a faint thrill whehe laid his hand upon her arm.

“That,” he said, “is a fancy you must neveentertain again.”

n one respect Laura was fully satisfied

and, though there was still a great deaupon which she meant to be enlightenedshe talked about other matters for almoshalf an hour, and then rose with a littl

shiver.“I must get back to the settlement, where have left the team,” she said, and glancedown at him for a moment with solicitud



n her eyes. “You will be very careful.”

asmyth let her go, but he did not knowhat she signed to Mattawa, who was the

busy hewing out a big redwood log. Thaxeman strolled after her into the Bushand then stopped to look hard at her as h

uttered an inquiring, “Well?”“Tom,” said the girl, “can’t youunderstand that it would be very mucwiser if somebody told me exactly how

Mr. Nasmyth got hurt?”

The axeman nodded. “Yes,” he admittedwith a wink, “that’s just how it strikes me

and I’m going to. The boss has no morarms and legs than he’s a use for anyway.

Laura gazed at him in bewilderment, buhe man’s expression was perfectly grave



“Now,” he added, “I guess one can talstraight sense to you, and the fact is I canhave you coming round here again. Jus

isten about two minutes, and I’ll try tmake the thing clear to you.”

He did so with a certain graphic force tha

she had not expected from him, and thcolour crept into her cheeks. Then, tMattawa’s astonishment, she smiled.

“Thank you,” she said simply. “But th

other man?”

“Well,” replied Mattawa, “if he goeround talking, somebody will ’most poun

he life out of him.”Then he swung round abruptly, for he washrewd, and had his primitive notions odelicacy; and Laura went on through th



“Ah!” rejoined Gordon, with a look oanxiety, “you probably got hold oMattawa. Well, after all, I guess he ha

done the wise thing.” Then after a paushe observed, “There is very little thmatter with your courage.”

“I fancy,” observed Laura half wistfully“that is, in several respects, fortunate.”

Then she went on again, and thougGordon felt exceedingly compassionate

he frowned and closed one hand.

“It’s a sure thing I’ll have to telWaynefleet what kind of a man he is,” he

said.



CHAPTER IX

GORDON SPEAKS HISMIND

t was a nipping morning, and the clearin

outside the ranch was flecked witpatches of frozen snow, when Waynefleesat shivering in a hide chair beside thstove. The broken viands upon the table i

front of him suggested that he had jusmade a tolerable breakfast, but his poswas expressive of limp resignation, anone could have fancied from the look i

his thin face that he was feeling very sorr



crossed the room to her store-cupboardand took out a can of fruit which she haset aside for another purpose. Wayneflee

watched her open it and made a little sigof impatience.

“You are very clumsy this morning,” he

said.The girl’s hands were wet and stiff witcold, but she quietly laid another platupon the table before she answered him.

“Charly is busy in the slashing, and I don’want to take him away, but there are thosogs in the wet patch that ought to b

hauled out now the ground is hard,” shsaid. “I suppose you don’t feel equal tdoing it to-day?”

“No,” said Waynefleet with querulou



ncisiveness, “it is quite out of thquestion. Do I look like a man who coulreasonably be expected to undertak

anything of that kind just now?”t occurred to Laura that he did not look af there was very much the matter wit

him, and she stood still a minutconsidering. As Gordon had said, it washe who managed the ranch, and shrecognized that it was desirable that th

rees in question should be dragged out ohe soft ground while the frost lasted. Stilhere was the baking and washing, and i

would be late at night before she coul

accomplish half she wished to do, if shundertook the task in question. While shhought over it her father spoke again.

“I wish you would sit down,” he said. “



feel I must have quietness, and yourestless habits jar upon me horribly.”

That decided her, and slipping into heown room, she put on an old blanket coaand went out quietly. She walked throughe orchard to the little log stable wher

he working oxen stood, and, after pattinhe patient beasts, shackled a heavy chaio the yoke she laid upon their brawn

necks. Then, picking up a handspike, sh

ed them out, and for an hour walkebeside them, tapping them with a lonpointed stick, while they dragged the biogs out of the swamp. Now and then i

axed all her strength to lift the thinner enof a log on the chain-sling with handspike, but she contrived to do it untiat length one heavier than the other



proved too much for her. She could heahe ringing of the hired man’s axe acroshe clearing, but there was a great deal fo

him to do, and, taking up the handspikagain, she strained at it.

She heard footsteps behind her, and sh

straightened herself suddenly. She turnedand saw Gordon watching her with curious smile. Tall and straight andsupple, with a ruddy, half-guilty glow o

her face, she stood near the middle of thittle gap in the Bush, the big dappled oxeclose at her side. The wintry sunlightwhich struck upon her, tinted the old

blanket dress a shining ochre, and thoose tress of red-gold hair, which had

escaped from beneath her little fur capstruck a dominant tone of glowing colou



among the pale reds and russets of the firrunks and withered fern.

Gordon shook his head reproachfully. “Sidown a minute or two, and I’ll heave thaog on to the sling,” he said. “This is nohe kind of thing you ought to be doing.”

Laura, who was glad of the excuse, sadown on one of the logs, while the maeaned against a fir and gravely regarde

her.

“The work must be done by somebodyand my father is apparently not very welagain,” she explained. “Charly has hi

hands full in the slashing. We must get icleaned up, if it is to be ploughed thispring.”

“Nasmyth contrived to look after all thes



hings. Why didn’t you keep him? The madidn’t want to go away.”

The colour deepened in Laura’s face, andGordon, who saw it, made a sign ocomprehension. “Well,” he added, “suppose that wasn’t a thing one coul

expect you to tell me, though I don’t quitsee why you shouldn’t think of yourselnow and then. You know it wasn’t on yourown account you sent him away.”

“How does this concern you?” she asked.

Gordon flung one hand out. “Ah,” he said“how does it concern me?” Then h

seemed to lay a restraint upon himself“Well, it does in one sense, anyway. Afterall, I am a doctor, and a friend of yoursand I’m going to warn you agains

attempting things women weren’t meant t



do. If that doesn’t prove efficacious, I’lsay a word or two to Nasmyth, and you’lhave him back here again. It’s a sure thin

your father would be glad to get him.”“If you do, I shall never forgive you,warned Laura, with a flash in her eyes.

She was sorry she had spoken so plainlwhen she saw that Gordon winced. Shhad guessed more or less correctly whahe man felt for her, and she had no wish

o pain him. Except for that, however, thadmission she had made did not greatlmatter, since she fancied that he was quitaware why she had sent Nasmyth awayGordon changed the subject abruptly.

“There are very few of those blankedresses this side of the Rockies,” he said

“You probably got it back East.”



advantage at all?” he inquired. “Have yonone of the ambitions that most womeseem to have?”

“Aren’t you forgetting?” Laura asked witsudden quietness. “My father found iwould not be advisable for him to settle i

Montreal––for the same reason thaafterwards led us to leave Victoria––andwe went West. Perhaps he could havefaced the trouble and lived it down, but

could not leave him alone.”Gordon sat silent a moment or two. Hknew, though she very rarely mentioned ithow heavy was the burden that had beeaid upon her, and he was divided

between a great pity for her and angeagainst her father. Then he rose slowly to

his feet.



“Miss Waynefleet,” he said, “if I havesaid anything that hurt you, I’m sorry, buhere are times when I must talk. I feel

have to. In the meanwhile I’ll heave thosogs up on a skid so that you can slip th

chain round them.”

For the next half-hour he exerted himselsavagely, and when at last he dropped thhandspike, his face was damp witperspiration. He smiled grimly whe

Laura, who had hauled one or two of thogs away, came back tapping thplodding oxen.

“Now,” he said, “I’m going in to see youfather. Custer happened to tell me he wafeeling low again, and it’s going to affordme a good deal of pleasure to prescrib

for him.”



Waynefleet has about enough to doalready.”

He saw Waynefleet raise his eyebrowsand he added: “I guess it’s not wortwhile troubling to point out that it’s not maffair. Now, if you’ll get ahead with you

symptoms.”Waynefleet looked hard at him for amoment. The older man was noaccustomed to being addressed in tha

brusque fashion, and it jarred upon himbut, as a matter of fact, he was not feelinwell, and, as he not infrequently pointeout, he had discovered that one had to puup with many unpleasant things in thabarbarous country. He described hisymptoms feelingly, and was rathe

ndignant when Gordon expressed neithe



astonishment nor sympathy.

“That’s all right,” said Gordon. “Thhing’s quite plain––especially the generaassitude you complain of. The trouble ihat if you don’t make an effort it’s goino become chronic.”

Again Waynefleet looked at him inastonishment, for Gordon’s tone was versuggestive.

“Yes,” added the medical adviser, “it’s acomplaint a good many men, who haven’been raised to work, are afflicted withWell, I’ll mix you up a tonic, and you’l

drive down for it yourself. The thinwon’t be half as efficacious if you senhe hired man. Then you’ll set to ever

morning soon as breakfast’s over, and do

a couple of hours’ smart chopping for a



carefully fixed open. It seemed tWaynefleet almost incredible that suchwords should have been spoken to him

and the suggestion that at the cost of painful effort he should endeavour to makhimself a credit to that barbarouneighbourhood rankled most of all. He ha

felt, hitherto, that he had conferred favour on the community by settling thereHe lay still until his daughter came in anglanced at him inquiringly.

“You have seen Mr. Gordon?” shequeried.

“I have,” answered Waynefleet with finedisdain. “You will understand that if hecomes back here, he must be kept awafrom me. The man is utterly devoid o

refinement or consideration.”



n the meanwhile Gordon was ridingcircumspectly, down the rutted trail, and iwas an hour later when he dismounted a

he shanty of Nasmyth’s workmen, andshared a meal with the gang employed ohe dam. After that he sat with Nasmyth

who still limped a little, in the hut, fro

which, as the door stood open, they coulsee the men stream up into the Bush anout along the dam. The dam now stoohigh above the water-level, for the froshad bound fast the feeding snow upon thpeaks above, though the stream roared anfrothed through the two big sluice-gates

By-and-by, the ringing of axes and thclink of drills broke through the sound ohe rushing waters. Gordon, who stretche

himself out on a deer-hide lounge, smile

at Nasmyth as he lighted his pipe.



self-sufficiency back. The scar the pricmade is always there, but it’s differenwith Waynefleet. He is made of self

closing jelly, and when you take the knifout the gap shuts up again. It’s quite hardo fancy it was ever there.”

asmyth nodded gravely, for there was aelusive something in his comrade’s tonhat roused his sympathy.

“Gordon,” he said, “is it quite impossibl

for you to go back East again?”

Gordon leaned back in his chair, andglanced out across the toiling men upo

he dam, at the frothing river and ruggehillside, with a look of longing in his eyes

“In one way it is, but I want you tunderstand,” he replied. “I might begi



“Ah,” said Nasmyth, “you seem quite surof that?”

“Quite,” declared Gordon, and there wasfor a moment or two, an almosuncomfortable silence in the shanty.

Then he made a little forceful gesture a

he turned to his companion again.“Well,” he said, “after all, what does icount for? Is it man’s one and only

business to marry somebody? Of coursewe have folks back East, who seem to acon that belief, and in your country half ohem appear to spend their time an

energies philandering.”“I don’t think it’s half,” said Nasmytdryly.

“It’s not a point of any importance, and



we’ll let it go. Anyway, it seemperilously easy for a man who gets thwoman he sets his mind upon to sink into

fireside hog in the civilized world. Nowand then, when things go wrong with folkof that kind, they come out here, annobody has any use for them. What ca

you do with the man who gets sick the firsime he sleeps in the rain, and can’t d

without his dinner? Oh, I know all abouhe preservation of the species, but wes

of the Great Lakes we’ve no room for anspecies that isn’t tough and fit.”

He broke off for a moment. “After all, thi

s the single man’s country, and––we––know that it demands from him the beshat he was given, from the grimmest toi

of his body to the keenest effort of hi



brain. Marriage is a detail––an incidenwe’re here to fight, to grapple with thwilderness, and to break it in, and tha

burden wasn’t laid upon us only for thgood of ourselves. When we’ve flung ourestles over the rivers, and blown roo

for the steel track out of the cañon’s side

he oat-fields and the orchards creep uphe valleys, and the men from the cities se

up their mills. Prospector, track-layerchopper, follow in sequence here, andhen we’re ready to hold out our hands the thousands you’ve no use or food fo

back yonder. I’m not sure it matters tha

he men who do the work don’t often sharhe results of it. We bury them beside oubridge trestles and under tons of shattererock, and, perhaps, when their tim

comes, some of them aren’t sorry to hav



done with it. Anyway, they’ve stood up toman’s primeval task.”

He rose with another half-deprecatoraugh, but his eyes snapped. “You don’alk like that in your country––it woul

hurt some of you––but if we sprea

ourselves now and then, you can looround and see the things we do.” Then houched Nasmyth’s shoulder. “Oh, yes

you understand––for somebody has taugh

you––and by-and-by, you’re going to feehe thing getting hold of you.”

He moved towards the doorway, buurned as he reached it. “Talking’s cheap

and I have several dozen blamed big firo saw up, as well as Waynefleet’s tonico mix. He’ll come along for it when tha

prick I gave him commences to heal.”



had pressed them against the bottom of thcraft to obtain a purchase. It was severayears since he had undertaken any sever

manual labour, though he was by no meanunused to it, and he was cramped anaching in every limb. He had plied pole opaddle for eight hours, during which hi

companions had painfully propelled thcraft a few miles into the cañon. Hgasped with relief when Mattawa ran thbow of the canoe in upon the shingle, anhen rose and stretched himself wearily

The four men stepped ashore. Curiouslhey looked about them, for they had ha

ittle opportunity for observation. Thoswho undertake to pole a canoe up thrapids of a river on the Pacific slopusually find it advisable to confine thei

attention strictly to the business in hand.



would be day above for at least twhours, the light was faint in the hollow andimmed by drifting mist. It was a spo

from which a man new to that wilcountry might well have shrunk, and throar of water rang through it iremendous, nerve-taxing pulsations

asmyth and his companions, howeverhad gone there with no particulapurpose––merely for relaxation––though ihad cost them hours of arduous labourand the journey had been a more or leshazardous one. Wheeler, the pulp-milmanager, was waiting for his machinery

and, Nasmyth had finished the dam. Whehey planned the journey for pleasureMattawa and Gordon had gone with theostensibly on a shooting trip. There ar

game laws, which set forth when an



of forgotten instincts, half-conscious lusof adventure, or a mere desire for changehat impels him to make the journey, but i

s at least an impulse with which mosmen who toil in those forests are welacquainted.

asmyth and Mattawa pulled the canoout, and when they sat down and lighteheir pipes, Wheeler grinned as he drew

up his duck trousers and surveyed hi

knees, which were raw and bleedingThen he held up one of his hands that hicomrades might notice the blisters upon itHe was a little, wiry man with dark eyes

which had a snap in them.“Well,” he observed, “we’re here, and guess any man with sense enough to prefe

whole bones to broken ones woul



wonder why we are. It’s most twelvyears since I used to head off into the Bushis way in Washington.”

Gordon glanced at him with a twinkle ihis eyes. “Now,” he observed, “you’ve hihe reason the first time. When you’v

done it once, you’ll do it again. You haveo. Perhaps it’s Nature’s protest againsyour axiom that man’s chief business idollar-making. Still, I’m admitting that thi

s a blamed curious place for Nasmyth tfigure on killing a wapiti in. Say, are yogoing to sleep here to-night, Derrick?”

t was very evident that none of the biwapiti––elks, as the Bushman incorrectlcalls them––could have reached that spotbut Nasmyth laughed.

“I felt I’d like to see the fall––I don’



know why,” he said. “It’s scarcely anothemile, and I’ve been up almost that far witan Indian before. There’s a ravine wit

young spruce in it where we could sleep.”“Then,” announced Wheeler resolutely“we’re starting right now. When I pole

canoe up a place of this kind I want to sewhere I’m going. I once went down a birapid with the canoe-bottom up in front ome in the dark, and one journey of tha

kind is quite enough.”They dumped out their camp gear, andook hold of the canoe, a beautifull

modelled, fragile thing, hollowed out of cedar log, and for the next half-houhauled it laboriously over some sixtyards of boulders and pushed it, walkin

waist-deep, across rock-strewn pools



Then they went back for their wet tentaxes, rifles, blankets, and a bag of flourand when they had reloaded the canoe

hey took up the poles again. It was thhardest kind of work, and demandestrength and skill, for a very small blundewould have meant wreck upon some froth

apped boulder, or an upset into the fiercwhite rush of the river, but at length thereached a deep whirling pool, rounwhich long smears of white froth swung iwild gyrations. The smooth rock rose ouof the pool without even a cranny oncould slip a hand into, and the river fel

umultuously over a ledge into the head ot. The water swept out of a veil of thiwhite mist, and the great rift rang with bewildering din. One felt that the vas

primeval forces were omnipotent there



oward the fall. It also drew a little neareo the middle of the pool, where there wa

a curious bevelled hollow, round whic

he white foam spun. It seemed to Nasmythat the stream went bodily down.

“Paddle,” said Mattawa hoarsely. “Heav

her clear of it.”They drove furiously between the whitestreaked shoot of the fall and that horriblsuggestive whirling; then, as they wen

back towards the outrush from the poolhey made another desperate, gaspin

effort. For several moments it seemed thahey must be swept back again, and thehey gained a little, and, with a few mor

strokes, reached the edge of the rapidThey let the canoe drive down the rapi

while the boulders flashed by them, fo



here was the same desire in all of themand that was to get as far as possible awafrom that horrible pool. At last Mattawa

standing up forward, poled the canoe iwhere a deep ravine rent the dark rock’side, and the party went ashore, wet angasping. Wheeler looked back up th

gorge and solemnly shook his head.“If you want to see any more of it, you’vgot to do it alone. I’ve had enough,” h

declared. “A man who runs a pulp-milhas no use for paddling under that kind ofall. I’m not going back again.”

Mattawa and Gordon set the tent up in thhollow of the ravine, while Wheelehewed off spruce branches with which tmake the beds; but Nasmyth did nothing t

assist any of them. Thinking hard, he sa



on a boulder, with his unlighted pipe inhis hand. The throbbing roar of water ranabout him; and it was then that the grea

project crept into his mind. It was rapidlgrowing dark in the bottom of the grearift, but he could still see the dim whitflashing of the fall and the vast wall o

rock and rugged hillside that ran up ishadowy grandeur, high above his headand as he gazed at it all he felt his hearhrob fast. He was conscious of a curiouhrill as he watched and listened to tha

clash of stupendous forces. The river haspent countless ages cutting out tha

channel, hurling down mighty boulderand stream-driven shingle upon the livinrock; but it was, it seemed to him, withiman’s power to alter it in a few arduou

months. He sat very still, astonished at th



“Well,” said Nasmyth, “I’m afraid I don’either, and I believe one or two of thescañons have puzzled wiser folks than I

You see, the general notion is that therivers made them, but it doesn’t seequite reasonable to imagine a river tiltinat a solid range and splitting it through th

middle. In fact, it seems to me that some ohe cañons were there already, and th

rivers just ran into them. One or twndians have come down from the valle

close to the fall, and they told me the rivewas quite deep there. The rock just holdt up at the fall. It’s a natural dam––

dyke, I think they call it.”“I don’t quite understand what all this ieading to,” observed Wheeler.

asmyth laughed, though there was, as hi



companion noticed, a curious look in hieyes. “I’ll try to make it clearer when wget into the valley. We’re going there to

morrow.”t was almost dark now, and they wen

back together to the little fire that burne

redly among the spruces in the ravineThere Mattawa and Gordon had a simplsupper ready. The others stretchedhemselves out, rolled in their blankets

soon after they had eaten, but Nasmyth lapropped up on one elbow, wide awakeistening to the roar of water until welnto the night. The stream drowned th

faint rustling of the spruces in a greadominant note, and he set his lips as hrecognized its depth of tone and volumeHe had once more determined to pit all hi



strength of mind and body against thriver. Still, he went to sleep at last, andawakening some time after it was dawn o

he heights above, roused his comradesWhen breakfast was over he started withem up the ravine to cross the range.

t was afternoon before they accomplishehe climb, though the height was not greaand a ravine pierced the crest, and thehad rent most of their clothes to tatter

when they scrambled down the slope inthe valley. Those pine-shrouded hillsideare strewn with mighty fallen trees, amiwhich the tangled underbrush grows tal

and rank, and, where the pines are leshickly spaced, there are usually matte

groves of willows, if the soil is dampThey pitched camp on the edge of th



valley, and Gordon and Nasmyth preparedsupper, while Wheeler cut firewood andMattawa went out to prospect for th

racks of feeding deer. The axeman camback to say there were no signs of anwapiti, though the little Bush deer werevidently about, and it was decided to tr

for one that night with the pitlight, a modof shooting now and then adopted whehe deer are shy.

They ate their supper, and afterwards ladown with their blankets rolled abouhem, for it grew very cold as darknes

crept up the valley. Like most of the othe

valleys, this one was walled in by steepsided, pine-shrouded hills; but in this cashere were no trees in the bottom of i

which, while very narrow, appeared



several miles long. It was also nearlevel, and the river wound through it i

deep, still bends. There are not man

valleys in that country in which heavimber fails to grow, and those withi

reach of a market have been seized uponfor all ranch produce is in excellen

demand, and the clearing of virgin foress a singularly arduous task. In fact, ther

was only one reason why this strip onatural prairie had not already beeclaimed. Most of it was swamp. Nasmythwho was quieter than usual, watched thfilmy mist creep about it as the sof

darkness rolled down the hillsides.Gordon rose and hooked a pitlight into hihat. This pitlight consists simply of a littlopen miner’s-lamp, which has fixe



beneath it a shield cut out of anconvenient meat-can. The lamp is fillewith seal oil. Once a man has fastened i

upon his head, the light is cut off from hiperson, so that he stands invisible, and thittle flame appears unsupported. Deer o

any kind are endued with a

nquisitiveness which frequently leads their destruction, and when they notice thwinkling light flitting through the air the

approach it to ascertain the reason fosuch an unusual thing. Then the rancheshoots, as soon as their shining eyebecome visible.

The party divided. Gordon and Nasmythwho kept near each other, fell oveseveral rotting trees, and into whaappeared to be crumbling drains. The



floundered knee-deep through withereimothy, which is not a natural grass. Fo

an hour or two nobody saw any deer. The

Gordon, who was cautiously skirtinanother drain, closed in on Nasmyth untihe touched his comrade. Nasmyth heard crackling rustle among the withered grass

Gordon made a little abrupt movement.“If we both blaze off, we double the oddon our getting it,” he said.

asmyth only just heard him, for his hearwas beating with excitement; but as hstood knee-deep in the grass, with bothands ready to pitch the heavy rifle up, iseemed to him that Mattawa could nohave been correct when he said that therwere only the Bush deer about. Judging b

he noise it was making, the approachin



beast, he thought, must be as big as wapiti. Then he saw two pale spots oight, which seemed curiously high abov

he ground.“I’m shooting,” he said, and in anothemoment the butt was into his shoulder.

He felt the jar of it, but, as usual in succases, he heard no detonation, though thpale flash from Gordon’s rifle was almosn his eyes. He, however, heard the thud o

he heavy bullet, and a moment or twater, a floundering amidst the grass.

“That can’t be a Bush deer!” he cried.

“It sounds ’way more like an elephant,said Gordon, with a gasp.

They ran forward until they stopped a few

yards short of something very big an



shadowy that was still struggling in thgrass. Gordon cautiously crept up a littlnearer.

“Those aren’t deer’s horns, anyway,” hannounced. “Plug it quick. The blamehing’s getting up.”

asmyth flung the rifle up to his shoulderand twice jerked a fresh cartridge into thchamber, but this time there was silencwhen the crash of the heavy Marlin die

away among the woods. They crepforward a little further circumspectlyuntil Gordon stopped again with a gasp oconsternation.

“Well,” he said, “I guess it couldn’t beeither a Bush deer or a wapiti.”

They were still standing there when thei



comrades came running up, and Mattawawho took down his light, broke into great hoarse laugh.

“A steer!” he said, and pointed to a maron the hide. “One of Custer’s stock. Gueshe’ll charge you quite a few dollars fo

killing it.”asmyth smiled somewhat ruefully, for h

was by no means burdened with wealthbut he was, after all, not greatl

astonished. Few of the small ranchers cafeed their stock entirely on their littlpatches of cleared land, and it is not aunusual thing for most of the herd to rualmost wild in the Bush. Now and thenhe cattle acquire a somewhat perilou

fondness for wrecking road-makers’ and

prospectors’ tents, which explains why a



steer occasionally fails to be found ansome little community of axemen iprovided with more fresh meat than ca

well be consumed.“I’m afraid it’s rather more than likely I’lhave to pay a good price,” said Nasmyth

“Do you feel anxious for any morshooting to-night, Wheeler?”

“No,” said the pulp-miller, with a grin, ahe surveyed his bemired clothes. “Gues

t’s going to prove expensive, and I’vhad ’most enough. I don’t feel like polinhat canoe any farther up-river, either

What’s the matter with camping righwhere we are until we eat the steer?”

There was, however, as Mattawa pointedout, a good deal to be done before the

could make their first meal off the beast



and none of them quite relished the taskespecially as they had only an axe and couple of moderately long knives. Still, i

was done, and when they carried a portioof the meat out of the swamp, and hagone down to wash in the icy river, thewent wearily back to their tent among th

firs.



CHAPTER XI

THE GREAT IDEA

The night was cold, and a frost-ladewind set the fir branches sighing a

asmyth and his comrades sat about snapping fire. The red light flickered upoheir faces, and then grew dim againeaving their blurred figures indistinc

amid the smoke that diffused pungenaromatic odours as it streamed by anvanished between the towering treerunks.



The four men were of widely differenype and training, though it wa

characteristic of the country that they sa

and talked together on terms of perfecequality. Two of them were exiles, byfault and misfortune, from their naturaenvironment. One had forced himsel

upwards by daring and mechanical geniunto a station to which, in one sense, h

did not belong, and Mattawa, the chopperalone, pursued the occupation which haalways been familiar to him. Still, it waas comrades that they lived together in thwilderness, and, what was more, had the

come across one another afterwards in thcities, they would have resumed theintercourse on exactly the same footing

After all, they were, in essentials, ver

much the same, and, when that is the case



he barriers men raise between themselvedo not count for much in the West, at leastWheeler, the pulp-mill builder, who had

once sold oranges on the railroad cars, leup to a conversation that gave Nasmyth aopportunity for which he had beewaiting.

“You and Mattawa are about through withhat slashing contract,” he said. “You wil

not net a great pile of money out of it,

suppose?”“My share is about thirty,” answered

asmyth, with a little laugh. “My partnedraws a few dollars more. He got in week when the big log that rolled on mcut leg lamed me. I seem to have particularly unfortunate habit of hurtin

myself. Are you going back to Ontario



when we get that money, Mattawa?”

“No,” the big axeman replied slowly“anyway, not yet, though I was thinking ot. The ticket costs too much. They’v

been shoving up their Eastern rates.”

“You ought to have a few dollars in

hand,” remarked Nasmyth, who was quitaware that this was not exactly hibusiness. “Are you going to start a ranch?

Mattawa appeared to smile. “I have onhalf cleared back in Ontario.”

“Then what d’you come out here for?Gordon broke in.

“To give the boy a show. He’s quitesmart, and we were figuring we mighmake a doctor or a surveyor of him. Tha

costs money, and wages are ’way highe



here than they are back East.”

t was a simple statement, made verquietly by a simple man, but it appealeforcibly to those who heard it, for thecould understand what lay behind it. Lovof change or adventure, it was evident

had nothing to do with sending the grizzleMattawa out to the forests of the West. Hehad, as he said, merely come there that hison might be afforded opportunities that h

had never had, and this was characteristicfor it is not often that the secongeneration stays on the land. Thougeamsters and choppers to the manner bor

are busy here and there, the Canadiaprairie is to a large extent broken and thforest driven back by young men from thEastern cities and by exiled Englishmen



Their life is a grim one, and when themarry they do not desire their children tcontinue it. Yet, they do not often marry

since the wilderness, in most cases, woulcrush the wives they would choose. Thmen toil on alone, facing flood, androught, and frost, and some hate th

silence of the winter nights during whichey sit beside the stove.

“Then,” inquired Wheeler, “who runs th

ranch?”“The wife and the boy. That is, when thboy’s not chopping or ploughing fosomebody.”

There were reasons why Nasmyth wastirred by what he had heard, and with hipipe he pointed to Mattawa, as th

flickering firelight fell upon the ol



axeman’s face.

“That,” he said, “is the man who didnwant his wages when I offered them thim, though he knew it was quite likely hwould never get them afterwards unless built the dam. He’d been working for m

wo or three months then, in the flooderiver, most of the while. Now, is there anysense in that kind of man?”

Mattawa appeared disconcerted, and hi

hard face flushed. “Well,” he explained“I felt I had to see you through.” Hhesitated for a moment with a gesturwhich seemed deprecatory of his point oview. “It seemed up to me.”

“You’ve heard him,” said Gordon dryly“He’s from the desolate Bush back East

and nobody has taught him to expres



himself clearly. The men of that kind arhandiest with the axe and drill, but it haalways seemed to me that the nations ar

going to sit round and listen when they geup and speak their mind some day.”

He saw the smile in Nasmyth’s eyes, and

urned to Wheeler, who was from the Statof Washington. “It’s a solid fact that youat least, can understand. It’s not so veryong since your folks headed West acros

he Ohio, and it’s open to anyone to sewhat you have done.” Then he flung hihand out towards the east. “They fancback yonder we’re still in the leading

strings, and it doesn’t seem to strike thehat we’re growing big and strong.”

t was characteristic that Wheeler did no

grin, as Nasmyth certainly did. Wha



Gordon had said was, no doubt, a triflflamboyant, but it expressed the views oothers in the West, and after all it wa

more or less warranted. Mattawahowever, gazed at them both as if sucmatters were beyond him, and Wheelerwho turned to Nasmyth, changed th

subject.“Well,” he said, “what are you going tostrike next?”

asmyth took out his pipe, and carefullfilled it before he answered, for he knewhat his time had come, and he desire

greatly to carry his comrades along withim.

“I have,” he said quietly, “a notion in mymind, or, anyway, the germ of one, for the

hing will want some worrying out. It’



quite a serious undertaking. To begin with’ll ask Gordon who cut these drain

we’ve been falling into, and what he did i

for?”“An Englishman,” Gordon answered“Nobody knew much about him. He wa

probably an exile, too. Anyway, he sawhis valley, and it seemed to strike him thahe could make a ranch in it.”

“Why should he fix on this particula

valley?”

“The thing’s plain enough. How manyears does a man usually spend choppin

a clearing out of the Bush? Isn’t there demand for anything that you can eat froour miners and the men on our railroadand in our mills? Why do we brin

carloads of provisions in? Can’t you ge



hold of the fact that a man can starranching right away on natural prairie, ihe can once get the water out of it?”

“Oh, yes,” assented Nasmyth. “The poins that one has to get the water out of it.

would like Mattawa and Wheeler t

notice it. You can go on.”“Well,” said Gordon, “that man pitchedright in, and spent most of two yearcutting four-foot trenches through an

dyking up the swamp. He went on everday from sun-up to dark, but every timhe floods came they beat him. When h

walked over the range to the settlementhe boys noticed he was getting kind o

worn and thin, but there was clean grit ihat man. He’d taken hold of the contract

and he stayed with it. Then one day



prospector went into the valley after a bifreshet and came across his wreckeshanty. The river had got him.”

Wheeler nodded gravely. “It seems to mhis country was made by men like that,

he commented. “They’re the kind the

ought to put up monuments to.”There was silence for a moment or twafter that, except for the sighing of thwind among the firs and the hoars

murmur that came up, softened by thdistance, from the cañon. It was not aunusual story, but it appealed to those whoheard it, for they had fought with rock anriver and physical weariness, and thecould understand the grim patience anunflinching valour of the long struggle tha

had resulted, as such struggles sometime



do, only in defeat. Still, the men who takhose tasks in hand seldom capitulate

Gordon glanced at Nasmyth.

“Now,” he said, “if you have anything tosay, you can get it out.”

asmyth raised himself on one elbow

“That Englishman put up a good fight, buhe didn’t start quite right,” he said. “want to point out that, in my opinion, thriver has evidently just run into the cañon

t’s slow and deep until you reach the fallwhere it’s merely held up by the ridge orock the rapid runs across. Well, we’lcall the change of level twelve to sixteefeet, and, as Gordon has suggested, a bistrip of natural prairie is apt to make particularly desirable property, once yo

run the water out of it. You can get rid of a



ot of water when you have a fall osixteen feet.”

“How are you going to get it?” askeWheeler.

“By cutting the strip of rock that holds thriver up at the fall. I think one could do i

with giant-powder.”Again there was silence for a fewmoments, and Nasmyth looked at hi

comrades quietly, with the firelight on hiface and a gleam in his eyes. They sat stiland stared at him, for the daring simplicitof his conception won their admiration

Mattawa slowly straightened himself.“It’s a great idea,” he declared. “Seesomething quite like it in Ontario; I guest can be done.” He turned to Nasmyth



“You can count me in.”

Wheeler made a sign of concurrence. “Iseems to me that Mattawa is right. In general way, I’m quite open to take share in the thing, but there’s a point yohave to consider. Most of the work could

be done only at low water, and a mamight spend several years on it.”

“Well?” said Nasmyth simply.

Wheeler waved his hand. “Oh,” he said“you’re like that other Englishman, but yowant to look at this thing from a businespoint of view. Now, as you know, the men

who do the toughest work on this Pacifislope are usually the ones who get theast for it. Well, if you run the rive

down, you’ll dry out the whole valley, and

you’ll have every man with a fancy fo



ranching jumping in, or some d––– lanagency’s dummies grabbing every rod ot. It’s Crown land. Anybody can locate a

ranch on it.”“You have to buy the land,” said Nasmyth“You can’t pre-empt it here.”

“How does that count?” Wheelepersisted. “If you started clearing a Busranch, you’d spend considerably more.”

asmyth smiled. “I fancy our viewcoincide. The point is that the Crowagents charge the usual figure for land thadoesn’t require making, which is not th

case in this particular valley. Well, beforecut the first hole with the drill, they wileither have to sell me all I can take up ospecial terms, or make me a grant for th

work I do.”



Gordon laughed. “Are you going thammer your view of the matter into thCrown authorities? Did you ever hear o

anyone who got them to sanction proposition that was out of the usual run?”

“Well,” said Nasmyth, “I’m going to try. I

hey won’t hear reason, I’ll start syndicate round the settlement.”

Wheeler, leaning forward, dropped a handon his shoulder. “Count on me for

housand dollars when you want thmoney.” He turned and looked at Gordon“It’s your call.”

“I’ll raise the same amount,” said Gordon“though I’ll have to put a mortgage on thranch.”

Mattawa made a little diffident gesture



“A hundred––it’s the most I can do––buhere’s the boy,” he said.

asmyth smiled in a curious way, for hknew this offer was, after all, a mucmore liberal one than those the others hamade.

“You,” he said severely, “will be onwages. Yet, if we put the thing throughyou will certainly get your share.”

He looked round at the other two, anafter they had expressed their approvahey discussed the project until far into th

night, and finally decided to recross th

range, and look at the fall again, early nexmorning. It happened, however, thaMattawa, who went down to the river fowater, soon after sunrise, found a Siwas

canoe neatly covered with cedar branches



This was not an astonishing thing, sinche Indians, who come up the rivers in th

salmon season, often hew out a canoe o

he spot where they require it, and leave ihere until they have occasion to use i

again. After considering the matter abreakfast, the four men decided to g

down the cañon. They knew that one owo Indians were supposed to have madhe hazardous trip, but that appeare

sufficient, for they were all accustomed thandling a canoe, and an extra hazard owo is not often a great deterrent to me

who have toiled in the Bush.

They had a few misgivings when the hillclosed about them as they slipped into thshadowy entrance of the cañon. No ray osunlight ever streamed down there, and th



great hollow was dim and cold and fillewith a thin white mist, though a nippinwind flowed through it. For a mile or tw

he hillsides, which rose precipitouslabove them, were sprinkled here and therwith climbing pines, that on their fasummits cut, faintly green, against a littl

patch of blue. By-and-by, however, thecanoe left these slopes behind, and driftento a narrow rift between stupendou

walls of rock, though there was a narrowstrip of shingle strewn with whitenedriftwood between the side of the cañoand the river. Then this disappeared, and

here was only the sliding water and thsmooth rock, while the patch of skseemed no more than a narrow riband oblue very high above.



Fortunately, the river flowed smoothlbetween its barriers of stone, andsounding with two poles lashed together

he men got no bottom, and as the riveswept them on, they began to wondeuneasily how they were to get bacupstream. Once, indeed, Wheele

suggested something of the kind, but nonof the others answered him, and he wenon with his paddling.

At last a deep, pulsating roar that had beesteadily growing louder, swelled suddenlnto a bewildering din, and Mattaw

shouted as they shot round a bend. Ther

was a whirling haze of spray into whiche white rush of a rapid led close in fron

of them, and for the next minute thepaddled circumspectly. Then Mattawa ra



a moment until Nasmyth suddenly moveforward.

“We came here to look at the fall, and I’mgoing on,” he said.

They went with him, stumbling over thshingle, and now and then flounderin

among the boulders, with the stream thafrothed about their thighs almost dragginheir feet from under them. Each of the

gasped with sincere relief when h

scrambled out of the whirling pool. Thereached a strip of uncovered rock thastretched across part of the wider hollowabove the fall, and stood there drencheand shivering for several minutesscarcely caring to speak as they gazed ahe channel which the stream had cu

hrough the midst of it. Wheeler droppe



his hand on Nasmyth’s shoulder.

“Well,” he said––and Nasmyth could jushear him through the roar of the fall––“iseems to me the thing could be done if yohave nerve enough. Still, I guess if they leyou have the whole valley afterwards

you’d deserve it.” Then he seemed taugh. “I’ll make my share one thousanfive hundred dollars. In the meanwhile, iyou have no objections, we’ll get bac

again.”



CHAPTER XII

WISBECH MAKESINQUIRIES

A little pale sunshine shone down into th

opening between the great cedar trunkwhen Laura Waynefleet walked out of theshadowy Bush. The trail from thsettlement dipped into the hollow of

splashing creek, just in front of her, and yoke of oxen, which trailed along a rudumper-sled, plodded at her side. The sle

was loaded with a big sack of flour and

smaller one of sugar, among othe



sundries which a rancher who livefarther back along the trail had brought upfrom the settlement in his waggon

Waynefleet’s hired man was busy thamorning, and as her stores were runninout, Laura had gone for the goods herselfOther women from the cities have had t

accustom themselves to driving a span ooxen along those forest trails.

The beasts descended cautiously, for th

slope was steep, and Laura was half-wadown it when she saw that a man, who saon the little log bridge, was watching herHe was clearly a stranger, and, when sh

ed the oxen on to the bridge, tapping thbrawny neck of one with a long stick, hurned to her.

“Can you tell me if Waynefleet’s ranch is



near here?” he asked.

Laura glanced at him sharply, for therwas no doubt that he was English, and shwondered, with a faint uneasiness, whahis business was. In the meanwhile thbig, slowly-moving beasts had stoppe

and stood still, blowing through theinostrils and regarding the stranger witmild, contemplative eyes. One of theurned its head towards the gir

nquiringly, and the man laughed.“One could almost fancy they wonderewhat I was doing here,” he remarked.

“The ranch is about a mile in front oyou,” said Laura in answer to his question“You are going there?”

“I am,” said the man. “I want to see Mis



Waynefleet. They told me to ask for her ahe store.”

Laura looked at him again with somastonishment.

He was a little man, apparently about fiftyplainly dressed in what appeared to b

English clothing. Nothing in hiappearance suggested that he was a persoof any importance, or, indeed, of muceducation, but she liked the way in whic

he had laughed when the ox had turneowards her.

“Then,” she replied, “as that is my name

you need not go any further.”The man made a little bow. “Mine’Wisbech, and I belong to the Birminghadistrict, England,” he explained. “



walked over from the settlement to make few inquiries about a relative of mincalled Derrick Nasmyth. They told me a

he store that you would probably knowwhere he is, and what he is doing.”

Laura was conscious of a certai

resentment against the loquacioustorekeeper. It was disconcerting to feehat it was generally recognized that sh

was acquainted with Nasmyth’s affairs

especially as she realized that the facmight appear significant to his Englisrelative. It would scarcely be advisableshe decided, to ask the stranger to walk o

o dinner at the ranch, since such anvitation would probably strengthen an

misconceptions he might have formed.

“Mr. Nasmyth is expecting you?” sh



“I have,” answered Wisbech. “It is rathea long time since I have walked as muchand I found it quite far enough. A man i

bringing a horse up to take me back, but am by no means at home in the saddleThat”––and he laughed––“is, I suppose, agreat an admission in this country as

have once or twice found it to be ahome.”

Laura fancied she understood exactly wha

he meant. Most of her own male friends iEngland were accustomed to both horseand guns, and this man certainly did nobear the unmistakable stamp that was upo

his nephew.“Then my father and I would be pleased iyou will call at the ranch and have dinne

with us,” she said, and continued a trifl



hastily: “Anyone who has business at ranch is always expected to wait until thnext meal is over.”

Wisbech, who declared that it waevidently a hospitable land, and that hwould be very pleased, went on with her

but he asked her nothing about Nasmyth ahey walked beside the plodding oxennstead, he appeared interested i

ranching, and Laura, who found hersel

alking to him freely and naturallysupplied him with considerablnformation, though she imagined once owice that he was unobtrusively watchin

her. He also talked to Waynefleet and thehired man, when they had dinner togetheat the ranch, and it was not until the twmen had gone back to their work that h



referred to the object he had in hand.

“I understand that my nephew spent somime here,” he said.

Laura admitted that this was the case, anwhen he made further inquiries, relatebriefly how Nasmyth had first reached th

ranch. She saw the man’s face grow intenas he listened, and there was a puzzlinook in his eyes, which he fixed upon her.

“So you took him in and nursed him,” hsaid. “I wonder if I might ask why you dit? He had no claim on you.”

“Most of our neighbours would have don

he same,” Laura answered.

“That hardly affects the case. I presume hwas practically penniless?”



“I wonder why you should seem so sure ohat. As a matter of fact, he had rathe

more than thirty dollars in his possessio

when he set out from the logging camp, buon the journey he lost the belt he kept thmoney in.”

A queer light crept into Wisbech’s eyes“That is just the kind of thing one woulexpect Derrick Nasmyth to do. You see, a

pointed out, he is my nephew.”

“You would not have lost that belt?”

Wisbech laughed. “No,” he said, “certainly would not. What I meant t

suggest was that I am naturally more oess acquainted with Derrick Nasmyth’habits. In fact, I may admit I was a littlastonished to hear he had contrived t

accumulate those thirty dollars.”



Laura did not know exactly why she felmpelled to tell him about the building ohe dam, but she did so, and made rather

stirring story of it. She was, at leastdetermined that the man should realize thahis nephew had ability, and it is possiblhat she told him a little more than she ha

ntended, for Wisbech was shrewd. Thet suddenly flashed upon her that he ha

deliberately tricked her into setting forthis nephew’s strong points, and wapleased that she had made the most ohem.

“The dam seems to have been rather a

undertaking, and I am glad he contrived tcarry it through successfully,” hcommented. Then he looked at her with winkle in his eyes. “I do not know ye



where he got the idea from.”

The girl flushed. This was, she feltregrettable, but she could not help it, fohe man’s keenness was disconcerting, an

she was, also, a little indignant with himShe had recognized that Derric

asmyth’s character had its defects, bushe was by no means prepared to admit io his relatives.

“Then it didn’t occur to you that an idea o

hat kind was likely to appeal to younephew?” she said.

“No,” declared Wisbech, “to be candid, i

didn’t.” He smiled again. “After all, don’t think we need trouble about thapoint, especially as it seems he haacquitted himself very well. I, however

can’t help feeling it was in some respect



n spite of that fact, she felt that she likehim. There was a candour in his mannewhich pleased her, as his good-humoured

shrewdness did, though she would havpreferred not to have the shrewdnesexercised upon herself. It may be that hguessed what she was thinking, for h

smiled.“Miss Waynefleet,” he said, “I almosfancy we should make excellent friends

but there is a point on which I should likyou to enlighten me. Why did you take throuble to make me understand that yo

were doing nothing unusual when yo

asked me to dinner?”Laura laughed. “Well,” she said, “if onemust be accurate, I do not exactly know.

may have been a little unwise i



endeavouring to impress it on you. Whdid you consider it worth while to explaiyou had very seldom been in the saddle?”

Wisbech’s manner became confidential“It’s a fact that has counted against mnow and then. Besides, I think you notice

my accent––it’s distinctly provincial, andnot like yours or Derrick’s––as soon as old you I was a relative of his. You see,

know my station. In fact, I’m almos

aggressively proud of it.” He spread ouhis hands in a forceful fashion. “It’s useful one.”

He reached out, and, to the girl’s surpriseook up a bowl from the table, an

appeared to weigh it in his hands. It wamade of the indurated fibre which i

frequently to be met with in the Bus



ranches.

“This,” he said, “is, I suppose, the kind ohing they are going to turn out at tha

wood-pulp mill. You have probablyobserved the thickness of it?”

“I believe it is, though they are going t

make paper stock, too.”“Well,” pursued Wisbech; “it may meehe requirements of the country, but it is

very crude and inartistic production. I masay that it is my business to makenamelled ware. The Wisbech bowls andcups and basins are justly celebrated–

ight and dainty, and turned out toresemble marble, granite, or the mosartistic china. They will withstand anheat you can subject them to, an

practically last for ever.”



He broke off for a moment with a chuckle“I can’t detach myself from my business asome people seem to fancy one ought t

do. After all, it is only by marriage thaDerrick Nasmyth is my nephew.” Himanner became grave again. “I marriehis mother’s sister––very much against th

wishes of the rest of the family. ADerrick has lived some time here, thatter fact will probably not astonish you.”

Laura said nothing, though she understooexactly what he meant. She was becominmore sure that she liked the man, but shrealized that she might not have done s

had she met him before she came out tCanada, where she had learned trecognize the essential points in characterThere were certainly respects in which hi



manner would once have jarred upon her.

Her expression was reassuring when hurned to her again.

“I was a retail chemist in a little potterown when I discovered the properties o

one or two innocuous fluxes, and how t

make a certain leadless glaze,” he said“Probably you do not know that therwere few more unhealthy occupations thahe glazing of certain kinds of pottery.

was also fortunate enough to make a goodeal of money out of my discovery, and a

extended its use, I eventually started big enamelling works of my own. Aftehat I married; but the Nasmyths neve

quite forgave me my little idiosyncrasieand some of my views. They dropped m

when my wife died. She”––his fac



Laura said it would afford her and hefather pleasure, and she did not smilwhen he went out and scramble

awkwardly into his saddle. The man whhad brought the horse up grinned broadlas he watched Wisbech jolt across thclearing.

“I guess that man’s not going to make thsettlement on that horse. He rides ’mosike a bag of flour,” he remarked, wit

evident enjoyment of the stranger’s poohorsemanship.



unless one is accustomed to it, particularly wearying thing to walk andistance along a Western railroad track

since local ticket rates are usually high ohe Pacific slope, and roads of any othe

kind are not always available, the smalleranchers and other impecunious traveller

frequently tramp miles upon the ties.Wisbech, however, had not very far to goand, though it entailed an occasiona

stumble, he endeavoured to look abouhim. He was progressing along the side ohe wonderful Fraser gorge, which is th

great channel clearly provided by Natur

for the commerce of the mountaiprovince, and he was impressed by thspectacle upon which he gazed. In front ohim rose great rocky ramparts, with her



and there a snow-tipped peak cuttincoldly white against the glaring blueBeneath these the climbing pines rolle

down in battalions to the brink of a vashollow, in the black depths of which thriver roared far below. Wisps of gauzymist clung to the hillside, and out of the

he track came winding down, a sinuougleaming riband that links the nations wita band of steel. There were, as he knewfleet steamers ready at either end of it, iVancouver Inlet, and at Montreal, twohousand four hundred odd miles away

for this was the all-British route roun

half the world from London to Yokohamaand Hong-Kong.

That fact had its effect on Wisbech as hplodded painfully along the ties. He ha



significant hint of what they can bear ando. They buried mangled men in roarincañon and by giddy trestle, but the rail

crept always on.Wisbech came to the brink of a gorgwhich rent the steep hillside. He could no

ell how deep it was, but it made hidizzy to look down upon the streak ofrothing water far below. The gorge waspanned by the usual Western trestle

bridge, an openwork fabric of timber juswide enough to carry the single tracrising out of the chasm on tapering pierhat looked ethereally fragile in tha

wilderness of towering trees anremendous slopes of rock. The chunk o

axes and ringing of hammers jarrehrough the roar of the stream, and h



could see men clinging in mid-air to littlstages slung about the piers, and movinamong the pines below. A man in a ragged

duck suit strode by him with an axe on hishoulder, and Wisbech half-diffidentlventured to inquire if he could tell wherDerrick Nasmyth could be found. Th

man, who paid no attention to himstopped close by, and shouted to some ohis comrades below.

“You ought to get that beam fixed beforehe fast freight comes through, boysThere’s no sign of her yet,” he called in oud voice.

Somebody answered him, and the maurned to Wisbech.

“Now, sir,” he replied tardily, “you were

asking for Nasmyth?”



Wisbech said he wished to see Derricasmyth, and the man nodded.

“Well,” said he, “you’ll have to wait afew minutes, I guess he’s busy. There’s aog they want to put into the trestle beforhe train comes along. It’s not hi

particular business, but we’re ratheanxious to get through with our contract.”

“Ah,” returned Wisbech, “then I fancy know who you must be. In fact, I’m rathe

glad I came across you. You are evidentlyhe man who looked after my nephew

when he was ill, and from what MisWaynefleet told me, Derrick owes you agood deal.”

Gordon looked at Wisbech with a littlsmile, as he recalled what Nasmyth ha

said about the man who had sent him th



know that the Bush-bred ox can travel at headlong pace up and down hills anamidst thickets a man would cautiousl

climb or painfully crawl through. As theyapproached the level at the foot of thslope, the man who drove them ran backand slipping his handspike under it, swun

he butt of the log round an obstacleWisbech gazed at his nephew witastonishment when Nasmyth came up withe beasts again. His battered wide ha

was shapeless, his duck trousers werbadly rent, and the blue shirt, which waall he wore above the waist, hung ope

half-way down his breast. He was flusheand gasping, but the men upon the trestlwere evidently urging him to fresexertion.



“Oh, hit her hard!” shouted one of themand a comrade clinging to a beam higabove the river broke in: “We’re waiting

Get a hump on. Bring her right along.”t was evident that Nasmyth was alread

doing all that reasonably could have bee

expected of him, and in another moment owo, four more men, who ran out of thBush, fell upon the log with handspikes, ahe beasts came to a long upward slope

They went up it savagely, and Wisbechwas conscious of a growing amazement ahe watched the floundering oxen angasping men.

“Do you always work––like this?” hasked.

Gordon laughed. “Well,” he answered, “i

sn’t the bosses’ fault when we don’t. A



t happens, however, a good many of uare putting a contract through, and the boywant to get that beam fixed before the fas

freight comes along. If they don’t, it’quite likely she’ll shake it loose or pitcsome of them off the bridge. It has stood few years, and wants stiffening.”

“A few years!” said Wisbech. “There arebridges in England that have existed sinche first railways were built. I believ

hey don’t require any great stiffening yet.“Oh, yes,” said Gordon. “It’s quite whaone would expect. We do thingdifferently. We heave our rails down andfill up the country with miners and farmerwhile you’d be worrying over youparliamentary bills. We strengthen ou

rack as we go along, and we’ll have iro



bridges over every river just as soon ahey’re wanted.”

Wisbech smiled. It seemed to him thahese men would probably get exactl

what they set their minds upon in spite oevery obstacle.

“Why don’t they stop the train while theget the beam into place?” he inquired.

“Nothing short of a big landslip i

allowed to hold that fast freight up,Gordon replied. “It’s up to everdivisional superintendent between herand Winnipeg to rush her along as fast a

possible. Half the cars are billed througo the Empress liner that goes out tomorrow.”

n the meanwhile the men and oxen ha



conveyed the big log up the slope, andwhile Nasmyth drove the beasts bacalong the skidded track, it swung out ove

he chasm at the end of a rope. Meeaning out from fragile stages clutched a

and guided it, and when one of theshouted, Nasmyth cast the chain to whic

he rope was fastened loose from his oxenThen little lithe figures crawled out alonhe beams of the trestle, and there was

ringing of hammers. Gordon, who gazeup the track, swung his arm up in warning

“You’ve got to hump yourselves, boys,”he admonished.

The faint hoot of a whistle came ringinacross the pines, and a little puff of whitsmoke broke out far up the track fro

among their sombre masses. It grew



rapidly larger, and the clang of thhammers quickened, while Wisbecwatched the white trail that swept alon

he steep hillside until there was a suddeshouting. Then he turned and saw hinephew running across the bridge.

“Somebody has forgotten a bolt or a bispike,” said Gordon.

Wisbech felt inclined to hold his breath ahe watched Nasmyth climb down the fac

of the trestle, but in another minute or twhe was clambering up again with severaother men behind him. There was anothehoot of the whistle, and, as Wisbecglanced up the track, a great locomotivbroke out from among the pines. It waveiled in whirling dust and flyin

fragments of ballast, and smoke that wa



grey instead of white, for the track ledown-grade, and the engineer hahrottled the steam. The engine was a hug

one, built for mountain hauling, and thfreight cars that lurched out of the foresbehind it were huger still. Wisbech couldsee them rock, and the roar which the

made and which the pines flung back grewdeafening. Most of the cars had beecoupled up in the yards at Montreal, anwere covered thick with the dust that hawhirled about them along two thousanfour hundred miles of track, and they werstill speeding on through the forests of th

West, as they had done through those ofar-off Ontario.

t seemed to Wisbech as he gazed at thcars that they ran pigmy freight trains i



t was in most respects a fortuitoumoment for Wisbech’s nephew to meehim, and the older man smiled as Nasmyt

strode along the track to grasp hioutstretched hand.

“I’m glad to see you, Derrick,” sai

Wisbech, who drew back a pace andooked at his nephew critically.

“You have changed since I last shookhands with you in London, my lad,” h

continued. “You didn’t wear blue duckand you hadn’t hands of that kind then.”

asmyth glanced at his scarred finger

and broken nails.“I’ve been up against it, as they say heresince those days,” he replied.

“And it has done you a world of good!”



asmyth laughed. “Well,” he said“perhaps it has. Any way, that’s not apoint we need worry over just now

Where have you sprung from?”Wisbech told him, and added that therwere many things he would like to tal

about, whereupon Nasmyth smiled in deprecatory manner.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to wait an hour owo,” he said. “You see, there are severa

more big logs ready for hauling down, anhave to keep the boys supplied. I’ll be a

iberty after supper, and you can’t get baco-night. In the meanwhile you might liko walk along to where we’re getting thogs out.”

Wisbech went with him and Gordon, and

was impressed when he saw how they an



he oxen handled the giant trunks. Hehowever, kept his thoughts to himself, andquietly smoking, sat on a redwood log,

ittle, unobtrusive, grey-clad figure, untiGordon, who had disappeared during thast hour, announced that supper wa

ready. Then Wisbech followed Nasmyt

and Gordon to their quarters, which thehad fashioned out of canvas, a few sheetof corrugated iron, and strips of bark, foras their work was on the hillside, theived apart from the regular railroad gang

The little hut was rudely comfortable, anhe meal Gordon set out was creditabl

cooked. Wisbech liked the resinous scenof the wood smoke that hung about thspot, and the faint aromatic odour of thpine-twig beds and roofing-bark. Whe

he meal was over, they sat a whil



beneath the hanging-lamp, smoking andiscussing general topics, until Nasmytndicated the canvas walls of the hut an

he beds of spruce twigs with a wave ohis hand.

“You will excuse your quarters. They’re

rather primitive,” he said.Wisbech’s eyes twinkled. “I almost think shall feel as much at home as I did wheyou last entertained me at your club, an

’m not sure that I don’t like your newfriends best,” he said. “The others were rifle patronizing, though, perhaps, the

didn’t mean to be. In fact, it was rather plucky thing you did that day.”

A faint flush crept into Nasmyth’s bronzedface, but Wisbech smiled reassuringly a

he glanced about the hut.



“The question is what all this is leadino,” he observed with inquiry in his tone.

Gordon rose. “I’ll go along and talk to thboys,” he announced. “I won’t be back foan hour or two.”

asmyth glanced at Wisbech before h

urned to his comrade.“I would sooner you stayed where yoare,” he said. Then he answered Wisbech

“In the first place, if we are reasonablfortunate, it should lead to the acquisitioof about a couple of hundred dollars.”

“Still,” said Wisbech, “that will not go

very far. What will be the next thing wheyou have got the money?”

“In a general way, I should endeavour to

earn a few more dollars by pulling out fir



o remove a wrong impression concerninhimself.

“Well,” resumed Wisbech, seeing he didnot answer, “if you care to go back andake up your profession in England again, hink I can contrive to give you a fair start

You needn’t be diffident. I can afford itand the thing is more or less my duty.”

asmyth sat silent. There was no doubhat the comfort and refinement of the ol

ife appealed to one side of his nature, anhere were respects in which his presen

surroundings jarred on him. It is alsprobable that, had the offer been made hibefore he had had a certain talk witLaura Waynefleet, he would have profitedby it, but she had roused something tha

was latent in him, and at the same tim



endued him with a vague distrust ohimself, the effect of which was largelbeneficial. He had realized then hi

perilous propensity for what she hacalled drifting, and, after all, men of hikind are likely to drift fastest wheeverything is made pleasant for them. I

was characteristic that he lookenquiringly at Gordon, who nodded.

“I think you ought to go, if it’s only for

year or two,” said Gordon. “It’s the lifyou were born to. Give it another triaYou can come back to the Bush again iyou find it fails.”

asmyth appeared to consider this, anhe two men watched him intently

Wisbech with a curious expression in hi

shrewd eyes. Then, somewhat to thei



surprise, Nasmyth broke into a little harsaugh.

“That there is a possibility of my failinseems sufficient,” he said. “Here I musfight. I am, as we say, up against it.” Hurned to Wisbech. “Now if you wil

isten, I will tell you something.”For the next few minutes he described hiproject for running the water out of thvalley, and when he sat silent again ther

was satisfaction in Wisbech’s face.

“Well,” said Wisbech, “I am going to giveyou your opportunity. It’s a thing I insis

upon, and, as it happens, I’m in a positioo do it more or less effectually. I havetters to folks of some importance i

Victoria––Government men amon

others––and you’ll go down there and liv



as you would have done in England just aong as appears advisable while you try t

put the project through. It is quite eviden

hat you will have to get one of the lanexploitation concerns to back you, and ndoubt a charter or concession of somkind will have to be obtained from th

Crown authorities. The time you spenover the thing in Victoria should make iclear where your capacities lie––if it’handling matters of this kind in the citiesor leading your workmen in the Bush. purpose to take a share in your ventureand I’m offering you an opportunity o

making sure which is the kind of lifyou’re most fitted for.”

“I guess you ought to go,” remarkeGordon quietly.



asmyth smiled. “That,” he agreed, “is mown opinion.”

“Then we’ll consider it as decided,” saiWisbech. “It seems to me I could spend month or two in this province versatisfactorily, and we’ll go down to

Victoria together, as soon as you havecarried out this timber-cutting contract.”

They talked of other matters, while nowand then men from the railroad gan

dropped in and made themselves pleasano the stranger. It must be admitted thahere are one or two kinds of wanderin

Englishmen, who would not have founhem particularly friendly, but the littl

quiet man with the twinkling eyes wavery much at home with them. He ha

been endued with the gift o



comprehension, and rock-cutter anaxeman opened their minds to him. In fache declared his full satisfaction with th

entertainment afforded him before he ladown upon his bed of springy sprucwigs.



CHAPTER XIV

IN THE MOONLIGHT

There was a full moon in the clear bluheavens, and its silvery light streamed inthe pillared veranda where Nasmyth sat

cigar in hand, on the seaward front oJames Acton’s house, which stood abouan hour’s ride from Victoria on th

Dunsmer railroad. Like many othesuccessful men in that country, Acton hadbegun life in a three-roomed shanty, andnow, when, at the age of fifty, he was in

possession of a comfortable competence



and wide verandas, justified her tasteActon reserved one simply furnished roon it for himself, and made no objection

when she filled the rest of it witmiscellaneous guests. Wisbech hadbrought him a letter from a person oconsequence, and he had offered th

Englishman and his nephew the freedoof his house. He would not have done thio everybody, though they are a hospitabl

people in the West, but he had recognizedn the unostentatious Wisbech one or tw

of the characteristics that were somewhamarked in himself, and his wife, as i

happened, extended her favour to Nasmytas soon as she saw him. She had beequick to recognize something she founcongenial in his voice and manner, thoug

none of the points she noticed would in al



probability have appealed to her husbandActon leaned upon the veranda balustradewith a particularly rank cigar in his hand

a gaunt, big-boned man in badly-fittinclothes. It was characteristic of him thahe had not spoken to Nasmyth since hstepped out from one of the windows fiv

minutes earlier.“It’s kind of pretty,” he said, indicating thprospect with a little wave of his hand.

asmyth admitted that it was prettndeed, and his concurrence was justified

Sombre pinewoods and rocky heightwalled in the wooden dwelling, but ifront of it the ground fell sharply awayand beyond the shadow of the tall crags blaze of moonlight stretched eastward

athwart the sparkling sea.



“Well,” said Acton, “it’s ’most as good aplace for a house as I could find anywherhe cars could take me into town, an

hat’s partly why we raised it here.”Then he glanced down at the little whitsteamer lying in the inlet below. “That’

one of my own particular toys. You’recoming up the coast with us next week fohe salmon-trolling?”

asmyth said that he did not know wha

his uncle’s intentions were, but he waalmost afraid they had trespassed on theihost’s kindness already. Acton laughed.

“We have folks here for a month quiteoften––folks that I can’t talk to and whdon’t seem to think it worth while to talo me. Now I can get along with you

uncle; I can mostly tell that kind of ma



when I see him. You have got to let himstay some weeks yet. It would be in onway a kindness to me. What makes th

hing easier is the fact that Mrs. Acton haaken to you, and when she gets hold o

anyone she likes, she doesn’t let him go.”

asmyth was content to stay, and he felhat it would be a kindness to his hostActon appeared willing to fall in with thviews of his wife, but Nasmyth fancie

hat he was now and then a little lonely ihis own house.

“Both of you have done everything yocould to make our stay pleasant,” Nasmytdeclared.

“It was quite easy in your case,” and winkle crept into his host’s eyes. “You

uncle’s the same kind of a man as I am



and one can see you have been up against since you came to this country. That’

one of the best things that can happen t

any young man. I guess it’s not our faulwe don’t like all the young men they senus out from the Old Country.” He glanceddown at his cigar. “Well, I’ve pretty wel

smoked this thing out. It’s the kind of cigawas raised on, but I’m not allowed t

use that kind anywhere in my house.”

n another moment Acton swung roundand stepped back through an opewindow. He generally moved abruptlyand was now and then painfully direct i

conversation, but Nasmyth had been lonenough in that country to understand and tike him. He was a man with a grip o

essential things, but it was evident that h



could bear good-humouredly with thviews of others.

asmyth sat still after Acton left himThere were other guests in the house, anhe row of windows behind him blaze

with light. One or two of the bi

casements were open, and music and odbursts of laughter drifted out. Somebodyt seemed, was singing an amusing song

but the snatches of it that reached Nasmyt

struck him as pointless and inane. He habeen at Bonavista a week, but, after hisimple, strenuous life in the Bush, he felat times overwhelmed by the boisterou

vivacity with which his new companionpursued their diversions. There are nomany men without an occupation in thWest, but Mrs. Acton knew where to lay



her hands on them, and her husbansometimes said that it was the folks whhad nothing worth while to do who alway

made the greatest fuss. But Nasmyth fount pleasant to pick up again the threads ohe life which he had almost come to th

conclusion that he had done wit

altogether. It was comforting to feel thahe could sleep as long as he liked, anhen rise and dress himself in whole, dr

garments, while there was also a certaisatisfaction in sitting down to a daintilaid and well-spread table when h

remembered how often he had dragge

himself back to his tent almost too worout to cook his evening meal. On thwhole, he was glad that Acton had urgedhim to remain another week or two.



Then he became interested as a girstepped out of one of the lighted windowsome little distance away, and, withou

noticing him, leaned upon the verandbalustrade. The smile in her eyes, hfancied, suggested a certain satisfaction ahe fact that what she had done ha

rritated somebody. Why it should do sohe did not know, but it certainly conveyedhat impression. In another minute a ma

appeared in the portico, and the manner iwhich he moved forward, after he haglanced along the veranda, was morsuggestive still. The girl who leaned o

he balustrade no doubt saw him, and shwalked towards Nasmyth, whomapparently, she had now seen for the firsime. Nasmyth thought he understood th

reason for this, and, though it was no



exactly flattering to himself, he smiled ahe rose and drew forward another chairHe believed most of Mrs. Acton’s guest

were acquainted with the fact that he waan impecunious dam-builder.

The girl, who sat down in the chair h

offered, smiled when he flung his halfsmoked cigar away, and Nasmyth laughedas he saw the twinkle in her eyes, for hhad stopped smoking with a half

conscious reluctance.“It really was a pity, especially as wouldn’t have minded in the least,” shobserved.

asmyth glanced along the veranda, ansaw that the man, who had discovered thahere was not another chair available, wa

standing still, evidently irresolute



Probably he recognized that it would bdifficult to preserve a becoming ease omanner in attempting to force his compan

upon two persons who were not anxioufor it, and were sitting down. Nasmytooked at the girl and prepared t

undertake the part that he supposed sh

desired him to play. She was attired iwhat he would have described amodified evening dress, and her arms anneck gleamed with an ivory whiteness ihe moonlight. She was slight in form, an

curiously dainty as well as pretty. Hehair was black, and she had eyes tha

matched it, for they were dark and softwith curious lights in them, but, as shsettled herself beside him in the palmoonlight it seemed to him that “dainty

did not describe her very well. She wa



rather elusively ethereal.

“I really don’t think you could expect mo make any admission of that kind abou

my cigar, Miss Hamilton,” he said. “Stillt would perhaps have been excusable

You see, I have just come out of the

Bush.”Violet Hamilton smiled. “You are noaccustomed to throw anything away uphere?”

“No,” answered Nasmyth, with an air oreflection; “I scarcely think we areCertainly not when it’s a cigar of the kind

Mr. Acton supplies his guests with.”He imagined that his companion satisfieherself that the man she evidently desireo avoid had not gone away yet, before sh



urned to him again.

“Aren’t you risking Mrs. Acton’displeasure in sitting out here alone?” shnquired. “You are probably aware thahis is not what she expects from you?”

“I almost think the retort is obvious.” And

asmyth wondered whether he had gonfurther than he intended, when he saw thmomentary hardness in his companion’eyes. It suggested that the last thing he

hostess had expected her to do was tkeep out of the way of the man who hafollowed her on to the veranda. Haccordingly endeavoured to divert heattention from that subject.

“Any way, I find all this rathebewildering now and then,” he said, an

ndicated the lights and laughter and musi



n the house behind him with a littlmovement of his hand. “This is a verdifferent world from the one I have bee

accustomed to, and it takes some time tadapt oneself to changed conditions.”

He broke off as he saw the other ma

slowly turn away. He looked at the girwith a smile. “I can go on a little longer it appears worth while.”

Violet Hamilton laughed. “Ah,” she said

“one should never put one’s suspicionnto words like that. Besides, I almoshink one of your observations was a littl

misleading. There are reasons fobelieving that you are quite familiar withe kind of life you were referring to.”

t was clear to Nasmyth that she had bee

observing him, but he did not realize tha



she was then watching him with keenhalf-covert curiosity. He was certainly well-favoured man, and though hi

conversation and demeanour did not diffegreatly from those of other young men shwas accustomed to; there was alssomething about him which she vaguel

recognized as setting him apart from threst. He was a little more quiet than mosof them, and there were a certaisteadiness in his eyes, and a faint hardnesn the lines of his face, which roused henterest. He had been up against it, as the

say in that country, which is a thing tha

usually leaves its mark upon a man. Iendues him with control, and, above alwith comprehension.

“Oh,” he said, “a man not burdened wit



money is now and then forced to wanderHe naturally picks up a few impressionhere and there. I wonder if you find i

chilly sitting here?”The girl rose, with a little laugh. “That,she said, “was evidently meant to affor

me an opportunity. I think I should like togo down to the Inlet.”

asmyth, who understood this as anvitation, went with her, and, fiv

minutes later, they strolled out upon thcrown of the bluff, down the side of whica little path wound precipitously. Nasmytheld his hand out at the head of it, and thewent down together cautiously, until thestood on the smooth white shingle closby where the little steamer lay. The gir

ooked about her with a smile o



appreciation.

A lane of dusky water, that heavedanguidly upon the pebbles, ran inlan

past them under the dark rock’s side, andt was very still in the shadow of th

climbing firs. On the further shore a floo

of silvery radiance, against which the darbranches cut black as ebony, streameddown into the rift, and beyond the rockgateway there was brilliant moonlight o

he smooth heave of sea. The girl glanceat it longingly, and then, though she saidnothing, her eyes rested on a littlbeautifully modelled cedar canoe that la

close by. In another moment Nasmyth hadaid his hands on it, and she noticed how

easily he ran it down the beach, as she hanoticed how steady of foot he was whe



she held fast to his hand as they camdown the bluff. With a curious little smilhat she remembered afterwards, h

glanced towards the shadowy rocks whicshut in the entrance to the Inlet.

“Shall we go and see what there is ou

yonder beyond those gates?” he asked.“Ah,” replied the girl, “what could therbe? Aren’t you taking an unfair advantagn appealing to our curiosity?”

asmyth made a whimsical gesture as hanswered her, for he saw that she could bfanciful, too. “Unsubstantial moonligh

glamour, mystery––perhaps other things awell,” he said. “If you are curious, whshouldn’t we go and see?”

She made no demur, and helping her into



he canoe, he thrust the light craft off, andwith a sturdy stroke of the paddle, drove iout into the Inlet. It was a thing he wa

used to, for he had painfully driven rudecraft of that kind up wildly-frothing riversand the girl noticed the powerful swing ohis shoulders and the rhythmic splash o

his paddle, though there were other thinghat had their effect on her––the languiapping of the brine on shingle, and th

gurgle round the canoe, that seemed to bsliding out towards the moonlight througa world of unsubstantial shadow. Shadmitted that the man interested her. H

had a quick wit and a whimsical fancy thaappealed to her, but he had also hardworkman’s hands, and he managed thcanoe as she imagined one who ha

undertaken such things professionall



would have done.

When the shimmering blaze of moonlighay close in front of them, he let his paddlrail in the water for a moment or two

and, turning, glanced back at the house ohe bluff. Its lower windows blinke

patches of warm orange light against thdusky pines.

“That,” he said, “in one respect typifieall you are accustomed to. It stands for th

hings you know. Aren’t you a little afraidof leaving it behind you?”

“I think I suggested that you wer

accustomed to them, too!”asmyth laughed. “Oh,” he said, “I wa

urned out of that world a long while agoWe are going to see a different one



ogether.”

“The one you know?”

“Well,” returned the man reflectively“I’m not quite sure that I do. It’s the one ive in, but that doesn’t go very far afte

all. Now and then I think one could live i

he wilderness a lifetime without reallknowing it. There’s an elusive somethinn or behind it that evades one––th

mystery that hides in all grandeur an

beauty. Still, there’s a peril in it. Like themoonlight, it gets hold of you.”

The girl fancied that she understood him

but she wondered how far it wasignificant that they should slide out inthe flood of radiance together when h

once more drove the light craft ahead.



The smooth sea shimmered like moltesilver about the canoe, and ran isparkling drops from the dripping paddle

The bluff hung high above them, remendous shadowy wall, and the swee

scent of the firs came off from it with thittle land breeze. They swung out over th

smooth levels that heaved with a slowrhythmic pulsation, and Nasmytwondered whether he was wise when hglanced at his companion. She sat stilooking about her dreamily, very dainty––

almost ethereal, he thought––in thasilvery light, and it was so long since h

had talked confidentially to a woman oher kind, attired as became her stationLaura Waynefleet’s hands, as heremembered, were hard and sometime

red, and the stamp of care was plain o



her; but it was very different with VioleHamilton. She was wholly a product ouxury and refinement, and the mer

artistic beauty of her attire, which seemea part of her, appealed to his imagination.

He did not remember how she set hi

alking, but he told her whimsical, annow and then grim, stories of his life ihe shadowy Bush, and she listened wit

quick comprehension. She seemed t

endow him with that quality, too, since, ahe talked, he began to realize, as he hanever quite comprehended before, thsomething that lay behind the tens

struggle of man with Nature and all thstrenuous endeavour. Perhaps hexpressed it in a degree, for now and thehe girl’s eyes kindled as he told of som



heroic grapple with giant rock and roarinriver, gnawing hunger, and loneliness, andhe beaten man’s despair. He found he

attention gratifying. It was certainlpleasant, though he had not consciousladopted the pose, to figure in the eyes osuch a girl as one who had known most o

he hardships that man can bear anplayed his part in the great epic strugglfor the subjugation of the wilderness. As ihappened, she did not know that thoswho bear the brunt of that grim strife arfor the most part dumb. Their share iconfined to swinging the axe and grippin

he jarring drill.t was an hour after they left the Inlet whehe land breeze came down a little fresher

and swinging the canoe round, he drove i



back over a glittering sea that commenceo splash about the polished side of thight craft. Then both of them cease

alking until, as they approached thshadowy rift in the rock, the girl lookeback with a laugh.

“It is almost a pity to leave all thabehind,” she said softly.

asmyth nodded as he glanced up at thighted windows of the house. “In on

sense it is. Still, it’s rather curious that hink I never appreciated it quite so muc

before.” He let his paddle trail as hwondered whether he had gone too far. “suppose you are going up the coast witMrs. Acton in the steamer?” he inquired.

“Yes,” answered Violet Hamilton, with an

air of reflection; “I was not quite sur



whether I would or not, but now I almoshink I will.”

asmyth was sensible of a little thrill osatisfaction, for he knew it waunderstood at Bonavista that he was goinoo. He decided that he could certainly go

He dipped his paddle strongly, andaughed as they slid forward into thshadow.

“Now,” he said, “you are safely back i

your own realm again.”

“You called it a world a little while ago,”said the girl.



“I did,” replied Nasmyth. “Still, I almoshink the word I substituted is justifiable.”

Violet Hamilton said nothing as theclimbed the bluff, but she wondered howfar the change he had made wasignificant. All the men at Bonavista wer

her subjects, but until that night, at leastasmyth had in that sense stood aparfrom them, and it is always more or lesgratifying to extend one’s sovereignty.



CHAPTER XV

MARTIAL’SMISADVENTURE

There was not a breath of wind, and th

night was soft and warm, when Nasmytay stretched upon the Tillicum’s deckwith his shoulder against the salooskylights and a pipe in his hand. The littl

steamer lay with her anchor down under ong forest-shadowed point, behind whic

a half-moon hung close above the greablack pines. Some distance astern of her,

schooner lay waiting for a wind with th



oose folds of her big mainsail flappinblack athwart the silvery light, and heblinking anchor-light flung a faint track o

brightness across the sliding tide. Therwas only the soft lap of the water alonhe steamer’s side and the splash of thittle swell upon the beach to break th

stillness, for the sea was smooth as oil.

The Tillicum would not have comparefavourably with an English steam-yach

She had been built for the useful purposof towing saw-logs, and was sold cheapwhen, as the mill she kept supplied grewarger, she proved too small for it. Acton

however, was by no means a fastidiouperson, and when he had fitted her with ittle saloon, and made a few primitiv

alterations below, he said she was quit



good enough for him. For that matteranyone fond of it might navigate the landocked waters of Puget Sound and th

Straits of Georgia in an open whaleboawith satisfaction in summer-time. Therare islands everywhere, wonderful rockwalled inlets that one can sail into

beaches to which the primeval forescomes rolling down, and always abovhe blue waters tower tremendou

ramparts of never-melting snow.

On the evening in question, Acton was noon board. He had taken his wife anguests ashore that morning for a

excursion to a certain river where therwas excellent trout-fishing, and, as a hotehad lately been built for the conveniencof sportsmen visitors, it was uncertai



whether they would return that nighasmyth had not made one of the part

because there was scarcely room fo

everybody in the gig, and six miles, whicwas the distance to the river mouth, warather far to row in the dinghy. Anotheguest called Martial also had been lef

behind, and afterwards had been roweashore to visit a ranching propertsomewhere in the neighbourhood. He wahe man who had followed Miss Hamilto

out on to the veranda one night, anasmyth, who did not like him

understood that he was connected with

big land exploitation agency.asmyth felt more or less contented wit

everything, as he lay upon the Tillicum’

deck listening to the faint murmur of th



swell upon the boulder beach. He hamade certain propositions to the Crowands authorities, which he believed the

would look into, and while he waited hfound the customs and luxuries ocivilization pleasant. He found the societof Violet Hamilton more pleasant still

and the demeanour of the man, Martiawas almost the only thing that ruffled himMartial had constituted himself MisHamilton’s special attendant, and thoug

asmyth fancied Mrs. Acton connived ahis, it was by no means as evident that th

girl was pleased with it. Indeed, h

surmised that she liked the man as little ahe did. Martial was brusque in marinerand, though that is not usually resented iBritish Columbia, he now and then wen

even further than is considere



“Juss so!” he rejoined. “You’ve been upagainst it in the Bush. Anybody couldfigure on that by the look of you and th

way you use your hands. A city man takeholds of things as if they were going thurt him. That’s kind of why I froze on toyou.”

asmyth took this as a compliment, ansmiled his acknowledgment, for Georgwas a privileged person, and most of hi

recent companions held democrativiews. He, however, said nothing, andGeorge went on again.

“Mrs. Acton’s a mighty smart woman, bushe plays some fool tricks,” hcommented. “Where’s the blame use iaking a boatload of folks after trout whe

none of them but the boss knows how t



fish?” Then he chuckled. “You’d havegone with the rest this morning if shwanted you to. Guess the gig would hav

carried another one quite nicely.”asmyth fancied that this was possible

hough he naturally would not admit it t

his companion. The fact that his hosteshad somewhat cleverly contrived to leavhim behind had its significance, since iseemed to indicate that she recognized tha

Miss Hamilton regarded him with certain amount of favour.

“Well,” said George reflectively, “theboss is quite smart, too! Mrs. Actocrowded you out of the gig. The boss saynothing, but he knocks off that blamMartial. That makes the thing even, and

unless he does it, none of them gets an



fish. Now, it kind of seems to me that for girl like Miss Hamilton to look at a maike Martial is a throwing of herself away

guess it strikes you like that, too?”This was rather too pointed a question fo

asmyth to answer, but, so far as it went

he could readily have agreed with thskipper. As a matter of fact it suggestedhe query why he should object to Mis

Hamilton throwing herself away.

“Well,” he observed, “I’m not quite surehat it’s any concern of mine.”

George’s grin was expressive of good

natured toleration. “Oh!” he replied, “guess that’s plain enough for me. You’renot going to talk about the boss’s friendsStill, one man’s as good as another in thi

country, and, if I wasn’t way better tha



Martial, I’d drown myself. That’s the kindof pernicious insect a decent man has nuse for. What’s he come on board for with

hree bags ram full of clothes, when mana better man humps his outfit up and dowhe Bush in an old blanket same as yo

have done? It’s a sure thing that no ma

with a conscience wants to get into thand agency business. It’s an institution fo

selling greensuckers ranching land that’rock and gravel and virgin forest. Besides

heard the blame insect telling MisHamilton that nobody not raised in thhog-pen could drink my coffee.”

t seemed to Nasmyth that there was ittle reason in the skipper’s observationshough he thought that Martial’s stricture

upon the coffee accounted for most o



hem.

“I guess it might have been wiser iMartial had kept on good terms with thskipper,” he laughingly rejoined.

George chuckled softly. “Well,” hedeclared, “when anyone up and says m

coffee’s only fit for the hog-pen, I’m goino get even with him. I kind of feel I havo. It’s up to me.”

He said nothing further for some littlime, and Nasmyth, who fancied that hwould sooner or later carry out hiamiable intentions, lay prone upon th

deck smoking placidly. Nasmyth was onwho adapted himself to his environmenwith readiness, and on board the Tillicum

he environment was particularl

comfortable. Through Acton’s hospitality



he was brought into contact with thuxuries of civilization without the gallin

restraints. Miss Hamilton had bee

gracious to him of late. That was a causfor satisfaction in itself. The days when hswung the heavy axe, or, drenched witcy water, stood gripping the drill had

slipped far away behind him. For the timeat least, he could bask in the sunshine witears stopped against the shrill trumpet-calo action that he had heard in the crash o

rent trees and the turmoil of the wilflood.

A faint cry came from the shore out of th

stillness of the woods, and Georgistened carefully.

“That can’t be the boss. Guess he’

stopping at the hotel,” he said. “It’s quit



ikely it’s that blame insect Martiacoming back. Those ranchers he has beerying to freeze off their holding have n

use for him.”The cry rose again, a trifle louder, andGeorge nodded complacently.

“Oh, yes,” he exulted, “it’s Martial sureWe’ll let him howl. Any way, he can walkdown the beach until he’s abreast of usWhen anybody expects me to hear him, h

has got to come within half a mile.”

t seemed to Nasmyth that Martial woulnot have a pleasant walk in the dark, fo

most of the beach lay in the black shadowof the pines, and beneath highwater marwas covered with the roughest kind oboulders. Above the tide-line, a ragged

mass of driftwood interspersed wit



undergrowth separated the water from thangled Bush. Both George and Nasmyt

were aware that one could readily tea

one’s clothes to pieces in an attempt tstruggle through such a labyrinth. Judginby the shouts he uttered at intervalsMartial appeared to be floundering alon

he beach, and presently Nasmyth laughed“He appears to be getting angry,” he said“After all, it’s only natural that he doesn’

want to sleep in the woods all night.”George filled his pipe, apparently witquiet satisfaction, but, some time later, hstood up suddenly with an exclamation.

“The blame contrary insect meanswimming off,” he announced.

asmyth, glancing shorewards, saw a di



white object crawling on all-fourowards the water where the moonligh

streamed down upon a jutting point, and i

was then that the idea which had resulthat neither of them anticipated firs

dawned on the skipper, who broke into hoarse chuckle.

“I guess he wouldn’t want Miss Hamiltoo see him like that,” he said. “Some folkook considerably smarter with thei

clothes on.”“How’s she going to see him when shsn’t here?”

George grinned again. “Her dresses areso’s her hat and her little mandolin. If yowere pulled in tight you’d have quite figure.”



t was clear to Nasmyth that the schemwas workable, though he was quite awarhat the thing he was expected to do was

rifle discreditable. Still, he had lived fosome time in the Bush, where hicomrades’ jests were not particularlydelicate, and Martial once or twice ha

been aggressively unpleasant to him. Whawas more to the purpose, he felreasonably sure that Miss Hamilton woulbe by no means sorry to be free oMartial, and it was probable that theivictim would never relate hidiscomfiture, if their scheme succeeded.

As the result of these reflections he wendown with George to the little saloon. Thskipper, who left him there a few minutescame hack with an armful of feminin



apparel. They had no great difficulty iying on the big hat with the veil, but wheasmyth had stripped his jacket off ther

was some trouble over the nexproceeding. Indeed, Derrick did not feequite comfortable about appropriatinMiss Hamilton’s garments, but he had

committed himself, and it was quite cleahat his companion would not appreciat

his reasons for drawing back.

“Hold your breath while I get this blamhook in,” said the skipper.

asmyth did so; but he could not continuo hold it indefinitely, and in a few

moments there was a suggestive crackand George desisted in evident dismay.

“Come adrift from the stiffening quite

strip of it,” he said. “Well, I guess I can



somehow fix the thing up so as nobodwill notice it. It should be easier thaputting a new cloth in a topsail, and I’ve

mending outfit in the locker.”asmyth was by no means sure o

George’s ability to make the damag

good, but he permitted the skipper to tion the loose skirt, and then to hang thberibboned mandolin round his neckWhen this was done George surveyed hi

with a grin of satisfaction.“Well,” said George, “I guess you’ll do

ow you’ll keep behind the skylights, anonly get up and bang that mandolin wheMartial wants to come on board. Gueswhen he sees you he’ll feel ’most likumping right out of his skin. Mis

Hamilton’s not going to mind. I’ve see



her looking at him as if she’d like to stica big hatpin into him.”

They went up, and Nasmyth, who felguilty as he crouched in the shadow, couldsee a black head and the flash of a whitarm that swung out into the moonlight an

disappeared again. Martial was swimminpluckily, and the tide was with him, fohis head grew larger every minute, anpresently the gleam of his skin becam

visible through the pale shining of thbrine. His face dipped as his left ar came out at every stroke, and the watefrothed as his feet swung together like

flail. He paddled easily while the tidswept him on until he reached thTillicum. Then his voice rose, breathlesand cautious.



“Anchor watch,” he called. “Anybodelse on board?”

George, who kept out of sight, did noanswer. Martial called again.

“Don’t let anybody out of the companiowhile I get up,” he commanded.

The Tillicum had a high sheer forwardand he could not reach her rail, but as thide swept him along he raised himself t

clutch at it where it was lower abreast ohe skylights.

“Now,” said George softly, “you can playhe band.”

asmyth rose and swept his knife-hafacross the strings of the mandolin. For moment he saw something like horror i

Martial’s wet face, and then the man, who



Martial crawling up the schooner’s cableand in another few moments whaappeared to be a howl of terror rose fro

he vessel. It was not repeated, and shortlafterwards Nasmyth went to sleep.

Martial remained on board the schoone

hat night, and Nasmyth was not surprisewhen he failed to appear next morningActon had come back with his party whea man dropped into the boat astern of th

schooner, and pulled towards the Tillicumeisurely. Everybody was on deck whe

he slid alongside, and, standing up in hiboat, laid hold of the rail.

“I’ve a message for Mr. Acton,” he saidholding up a strip of paper.

Acton, who took the paper from him, wa

a trifle perplexed when he glanced at it.



“It seems that Martial didn’t stay at tharanch last night as I thought he had done,he remarked.

Mrs. Acton, who sat next to MisHamilton, looked up sharply. She was all woman with an authoritative manner.

“Where is he?” she inquired.“Gone back to Victoria,” said hehusband, who handed her the note. “It’

kind of sudden, and he doesn’t worrabout saying why he went. There’s a littlremark at the bottom that I don’t quitike.”

George naturally had been listening, anasmyth saw his subdued grin, but he saw

also Mrs. Acton’s quick glance at MisHamilton, which seemed to suggest tha



schooner, who still gripped the rail.

“How did you come to get this note?” hasked.

“The man who came off last night gave io the skipper,” said the schooner’s deck

hand with a very suggestive grin.

“How’d he come off?” Acton asked. “Didyou go ashore for him?”

“We didn’t!” said the man. “He must have

swum off and crawled up the cable. Anway, when he struck the skipper he hadn’any clothes on him.”

There was a little murmur of astonishmentand Mrs. Acton straightened herselsuddenly, while Nasmyth saw a gleam oamusement creep into Acton’s eyes. The

schooner man evidently felt that he had a



nterested audience, for he leaned upon thrail as he began to tell all he knew abouhe incident.

“I was asleep forward, when the skippehowled as if he was most scared out of hiife,” he said. “I got up out of the scuttl

ust as quick as I could, and there he wacrawling round behind the stern-houswith an axe in his hand, and the mate flaup against the rail.

“‘Shut that slide quick,’ says the skipperShut it. He’s crawling up the ladder.’

“‘I guess you can shut it yourself if yo

want it shut.’ He asked for whisky. ‘Tellhim where it is,’ says the mate.”

There was no doubt that the listeners wernterested, and the man made a



mpressive gesture. “It was kind oscaring. There was a soft flippety-flogoing on in the stern-house, and I slippe

out a handspike. Then the skipper sees me“‘There’s a drowned man crawling roundhe cabin with water running off him,’ he

says.“Then a head came out of the scuttle and wet arm, and a voice that didn’t sounquite like a drowned man’s says, ‘O

you–––’”

Acton raised his arm restrainingly, and thnarrator made a sign of comprehension.

“He called us fools,” the man explained“and for ’most a minute the skipper wagoing to take the axe to him. Then he hovt at the mate for being scared instead, an



hey all went down together, and I heardhem light the stove. After that I went back

and dropped off to sleep, and the skippe

sent me off at sun-up to fetch the stranger’clothes. We set him ashore as soon ahe’d got some breakfast into him.”

The man rowed away in another minute owo, and, as he had evidently told history with a relish, Nasmyth wonderewhether Martial had contrived to offen

him by endeavouring to purchase hisilence. There are, of course, men one caoffer a dollar to on that coast, but such aact requires a certain amount o

circumspection.Acton’s eyes twinkled, and the men whowere his guests looked at one anothe

meaningly.



“Well,” answered one of them, “I gueshere is an explanation, though I didn’hink Martial was that kind of man.”

asmyth said nothing, but he saw MrsActon’s face flush with anger and disdainand surmised that it was most unlikely tha

she would forgive the unfortunate MartiaThe women in the party evidently felt that would not be advisable to say anythin

further about the matter, and when Georg

broke out the anchor the Tillicum steameaway.

t was after supper that night, and therwas nobody except the helmsman on deckwhen Miss Hamilton approached thforward scuttle where Nasmyth sat withis pipe in his hand. Nasmyth rose an

spread out an old sail for her, and she sa



down a little apart from him. The Tillicum

was steaming northwards at a leisurely siknots, with her mastheads swayin

rhythmically through the soft darkness, ana deep-toned gurgling at her bows. Byand-by Nasmyth became conscious thaMiss Hamilton was looking at him, and

on the whole, he was glad that it was todark for her to see him very well.

“I wonder if you were very muc

astonished at what you heard about MrMartial?” she asked.

“Well,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “in onway at least, I certainly was. You see, did not think Martial was, as our frienobserved, that kind of man. In fact, I maadmit that I feel reasonably sure of i

still.”



“I suppose you felt you owed him that?”

“I didn’t want to leave you under misapprehension.”

There was silence for half a minute, anhen Nasmyth turned towards the gir

again.

“You are still a little curious about theaffair?” he suggested.

“I am. I may mention that I found a certai

dress of mine, which I do not remembeearing, had evidently been repaired b

somebody quite unaccustomed to that kinof thing. Now there were, of course, onl

he skipper and yourself on board whilwe were away.”

asmyth felt his face grow hot. “Well,” he

replied, “if it’s any consolation to you,



am quite prepared, in one respect at leasto vindicate Martial’s character. In any

case, I think I shall have an interview wit

Mrs. Acton to-morrow.”His heart beat a little faster, for the giraughed.

“It really wouldn’t be any consolation aall to me,” she admitted.

“Ah,” said Nasmyth, “then, although yo

may have certain fancies, you are nodreadfully vexed with me?”

Violet Hamilton appeared to reflect“Considering everything, I almost thin

you can be forgiven.”

After that, they talked about other matterfor at least an hour, while the Tillicum

with engines throbbing softly, crept o



hrough the darkness, and Acton, whohappened to notice them as he loungeunder the companion scuttle with a ciga

n his hand, smiled significantly. Actonhad a liking for Nasmyth, and though hwas not sure that Mrs. Acton would havbeen pleased had she known where Mis

Hamilton was, the matter was, hreflected, after all, no concern of his.



CHAPTER XVI

ACTON’S WARNING

t was with somewhat natural misgivingshe next afternoon, that Nasmyth strolle

forward along the Tillicum’s deck towarhe place where Mrs. Acton was sittingmmaculately dressed, as usual, sh

reclined in a canvas chair with a book

which she had been reading, upon heknee. As Nasmyth approached her hbecame conscious that she was watchinhim with a curious expression in her keen

dark eyes. The steamer had droppe



anchor in a little land-locked bay, andasmyth had just come back in the dinghy

after rowing one or two of the part

ashore. Mrs. Acton indicated with movement of her hand that he might siupon the steamer’s rail, and then, turninowards him, looked at him steadily. Sh

was a woman of commanding personalityand imperiously managed her husband’social affairs. If he had permitted it, shprobably would have undertaken, also, took after his commercial interests.

“I wonder why you decided not to visit thndian settlement with the others?” sh

nquired.asmyth smiled. “I have been in man

places of the kind,” he answered

“Besides, there is something I think I ough



o tell you.”

“I almost fancied that was the case.”

“Then I wonder if you have connected mwith Martial’s disappearance?”

“I may admit that my husband evidentlhas.”

“He told you, then?” And Nasmytrealized next moment that the fainastonishment he had displayed was no

altogether tactful.“No,” said Mrs. Acton, with a smile, “hdid not. That was, I think, what made m

more sure of it. James Acton can maintaina judicious silence when it appearadvisable, and there are signs that hrather likes you.”



asmyth bowed. “I should be verpleased to hear that you shared his viewn this respect,” he observed.

“I am, in the meanwhile, somewhanaturally rather uncertain upon the point,she returned.

“Well,” confessed Nasmyth humbly, “believe I am largely responsible for youguest’s sudden disappearance. It was, ocourse, almost inexcusable, and I coul

not complain if you were very angry witme.”

“I should, at least, like to know exactl

what you did.”“That,” said Nasmyth, “is a thing I woulsooner you did not urge me to explainAfter all, I feel I have done Martia



sufficient injury, and I do not think hwould like you to know. There are,” hadded somewhat diffidently, “one or two

other reasons why I should prefer not tsay anything further, but I would like toassure you that the explanation one of youfriends suggested is not the correct one.

ventured to make this, at least, clear tMiss Hamilton.”

Mrs. Acton regarded him with

suggestive smile. “Mr. Martial was noeffusively pleasant to you. The affair wapremeditated?”

“My one excuse is that the thing was donon the spur of the moment. I should nevehave undertaken it if I had reflected.

asmyth made a gesture of submission. “

am in your hands.”



Mrs. Acton sat silent for perhaps a minutgazing at the woods that swept round thresides of the little bay. Great cedars and

pines and hemlocks rolled down to thwater’s edge, and the stretch of smootgreen brine between them and the steameflashed like a mirror.

“Well,” she said, after a long pause, “must admit that at first I was angry wityou. Now”––and her eyes grew a bi

scornful––“I am angry with Martianstead. In fact, I think I shall wash mhands of him. I have no sympathy with man who allows himself to be placed in

udicrously painful position that reflectupon his friends.”

“Especially when he has the privilege o

your particular favour,” added Nasmyth.



Mrs. Acton laughed. “That,” she returned“was a daring observation. It, at least, laia certain obligation on Martial to prove i

warranted, which he has signally failed tdo. I presume you know why he took somittle pains to make himself unpleasant t

you?”

asmyth fancied that she was really angrwith Martial, and that he understood heattitude. She was a capable, strong-wille

woman, and had constituted herself thally of the unfortunate man who habrought discredit on her by permittinhimself to be shamefully driven from th

field. It was also evident that she resentehe fact that a guest from her husband’

yacht should have been concerned in anproceedings of the nature that th



schooner’s deck-hand had described.

“I think I suspect why he was not cordiao me,” Nasmyth admitted. “Still, thnference is so flattering that one woul

naturally feel a little diffident aboubelieving that Martial’s suppositions wer

correct.”“That,” replied Mrs. Acton, “was tactfullexpressed.” She looked at the young mafixedly, and her next remark wa

characterized by the disconcertinfrankness which is not unusual in thWest. “Mr. Nasmyth,” she said, “unlessyou have considerable means of your ownt would be wiser of you to put any idea

of the kind you have hinted at right out oyour head.”

“I might, perhaps, ask you for one or tw



reasons why I should adopt the course yosuggest.”

“You shall have them. Violet Hamilton ia lady with possessions, and I look upoher as a ward of my own. Any way, hefather and mother are dead, and they wer

my dearest friends.”“Ah,” agreed Nasmyth, “that naturallrenders caution advisable. Well, I am inpossession of three or four hundre

dollars, and a project which I would liko believe may result to my advantag

financially. Still, that is a thing I cannot bvery sure about.”

Mrs. Acton gazed at him thoughtfully“Your uncle is a man of means.”

“I believe he is. He may put three or fou



housand dollars into the venture mention, if he continues pleased with meThat is, I think, the most I could expec

from him.”Mrs. Acton sat silent a while, and, thoug

asmyth was not aware of it, favoure

him with one or two glances of carefuscrutiny. He was, as she had naturallnoticed, a well-favoured man, and thflannels and straw hat he wore wer

becoming to him. What was more to thpurpose, there was a certain gracefueasiness in his voice and manner whicwere not characteristic of most of he

husband’s friends. Indeed, well-bredpoise was not a characteristic of her ownhough she recognized her lack. The polishat she coveted suggested a



acquaintance with a world that she had noas yet succeeded in persuading hehusband to enter. Acton was, from he

point of view, regrettably contented withis commercial status in the new ancrudely vigorous West.

“Well,” she remarked thoughtfully, “noneof us knows what there is in the future, anhere are signs that you have intelligenc

and grit in you.” Then she dismissed th

subject. “I think you might take me for row,” she said.

asmyth pulled the dinghy alongside, anrowed her up and down the bay, but hintelligence was, after all, not sufficien

for him to recognize the cleverness witwhich she led him on to talk about hi

uncle and England. He was not aware tha



he had been particularly communicativebut when he rowed back to the yacht MrsActon was in possession of a great deal o

nformation that was more or lessatisfying.

The Tillicum steamed away again whe

he remainder of the party arrived, and shwas leisurely swinging over a little frothflecked sea that night, with the spray flyinat her bows, when Acton came upo

asmyth leaning on the rail.“I wasn’t quite certain what view MrsActon might take of Martial’disappearance,” said Acton. “Just nowhowever, I think that she is rather pleasedwith you.”

“The fact,” replied Nasmyth, “is naturall

a cause for satisfaction.”



Acton appeared amused. “Well,” he said“to some extent it depends upon whaviews she has for you. Mrs. Acton is

capable woman.”Acton strolled forward, leaving Nasmythoughtful. The hint was reasonably plain

but the younger man was not quite surhat he would be willing to fall in with thstrong-willed woman’s views. There wano doubt that Violet Hamilton attracted

him––he admitted that withouhesitation––for she had grace and wit anbeauty, but she had, also, largpossessions, which might prove a seriou

obstacle. Besides, he was sensible of enderness for the woman who had give

him shelter and a great deal more than than the lonely Bush. Laura, however, wa



still in the wilderness, and Miss Hamiltonwhose society he found very pleasant, wahen on board the Tillicum, facts that ha

heir significance in the case of a maiable to be swayed by the impulses of th

moment. By-and-by, he started, for whilhe thought about her, Miss Hamilton cam

out of the little companion-way, and stoodooking round her, with her long ligh

dress rustling in the breeze, until shmoved forward as her eyes rested on him

asmyth fancied that there was particular significance in the fact that shappeared just then. He walked to meet her

and, drawing a low canvas chair into thshelter of the skylights, sat down with hiback against them close at her feet. He dinot remember what they talked about, an



t was in all probability nothing vermaterial, but they had already discoverehat they had kindred views and likes, an

hey sat close together in the shelter of thskylights with a bright half-moon abovhem, while the Tillicum lurched on over

glittering sea. Both of them were surprise

o discover that an hour had slipped bwhen their companions came up on deckand Nasmyth was once more thoughtfubefore he went to sleep that night.

ext day the Tillicum brought up off ittle mining town, and George, who wen

ashore, came back with several letters

Among the letters was a note for Nasmytfrom a man interested in land exploitationThis man, with whom Nasmyth had been communication, was then in the minin



own, and he suggested that Nasmytshould call upon him at his hotel. Nasmytshowed Acton the letter.

“I understand these folks are straight?” thyounger man remarked with inquiry in hione.

Acton smiled dryly. “Any way,” he said“they’re as straight as most. It’s not business that’s conducive to unswervinrectitude. Hutton has come up here to se

you about the thing?”

“He says he has some other business.”

“Well,” replied Acton, “perhaps he has.”

Then he turned to Wisbech, who sat closby. “I’ll go ashore with Nasmyth. Will yocome along?”

“No,” said Wisbech; “I almost think I’l



stay where I am. If Derrick can hold ouany reasonable prospect of making intereson the money, it’s quite possible I may pu

hree or four thousand dollars into thhing, but I go no further. It’s his affair. He

must handle it himself.”

Acton nodded. “That’s sensible, in onway,” he declared, and one could havfancied there was a certain suggestivenesn the qualification.

Wisbech appeared to notice it, for hooked hard at Acton. Then he made a

abrupt gesture.

“It’s my nephew’s affair,” he said.“Oh, yes!” returned Acton, significantly“Any way, I’ll go ashore with him, asoon as George has the gig ready.”



Acton and Nasmyth were rowed ofogether half an hour later, and the

walked up through the hot main street o

he little colliery town. It was not aattractive place, with rickety plansidewalks raised several feet above thstreet, towering telegraph-poles, woode

stores, and square frame houses crackeby the weather, and mostly destitute of anadornment or paint. Blazing sunshine beadown upon the rutted street, and aunpleasant gritty dust blew along it.

There was evidently very little going on ihe town that afternoon. Here and there

man leaned heavy-eyed, as iunaccustomed to the brightness, on thbalustrade in front of a store, and raucouvoices rose from one or two second-rat



saloons, but there were few other signs oife, and Nasmyth was not sorry when the

reached the wooden hotel. Acton stopped

a moment in front of the building.“Hutton’s an acquaintance of mine, and iyou have to apply to men of his kind, he is

perhaps, as reliable as most,” he said“Still, you want to remember that in thicountry it’s every man for himselfespecially when you undertake a deal i

and.” He smiled suggestively. “And nowwe’ll go in and see him.”

They came upon a man who appeared ittle older than Nasmyth. He was sittin

on the veranda, which was spacious, anhad one or two wooden pillars with crudscroll-work attached to them in front

Acton nodded to the stranger.



“This is Mr. Nasmyth,” he said. “He camup with me. Doing much round here?”

The question was abrupt, but the masmiled.

“Oh,” he answered, “we endeavour to da little everywhere.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it, and look rounagain by-and-by. I guess I may as welmention that Mr. Nasmyth is coming bac

with me.”Acton looked hard at Hutton, who smileagain. “Oh, yes,” replied Hutton, “understand that. It’s quite likely we’l

have the thing fixed up in half an hour oso. A cigar, Mr. Nasmyth?”

asmyth took a cigar, and went wit

Hutton to the little table which had bee



set out, on the inner side of the verandawith a carafe of ice-water and a couple obottles. They sat down at it, and Hutto

ook out two letters and glanced at them.“Now,” he said, “we’ll get to work. understand your proposition is to run th

water out of the Cedar Valley. What’s thearea?”

“About four thousand acres available foranching land, though it has never bee

surveyed.”

“And you want to take up as many acrebeforehand as you can, and can’t quit

raise the capital?”asmyth said that was very much the stat

of affairs, and Hutton drummed his fingeron the table. He was a lean-faced man



dressed quietly and precisely, in citfashion, but he wore a big stone in a rinon one hand, which for no very eviden

reason prejudiced his companion againshim.

“Well,” he averred, “we might conside

going into the thing and finding part of thcapital. It’s our business, but naturally wwould want to be remunerated for the riskt’s rather a big one. You see, you would

have to take up the whole four thousanacres.”

“Then,” replied Nasmyth, “what’s youproposition?”

“We’ll put up what money you can’t raiseand our surveyor will locate land apresent first-class Crown land figure

We’ll charge you bank rate until the land’s



made marketable when you have run thwater out. In a general way, that’s my ideaof the thing.”

asmyth laid down his cigar and lookeat him. “Isn’t it a little exorbitant? You gehe land at cost value, and a heavy charg

on that, while I do the work?”Hutton laughed. “Well,” he said, “it’money we’re out for, and unless you takt all up, your claim’s no good. Anybody

else could jump right in and buy a fewhundred acres. Then he could locate waterights and stop you running down thriver, unless you bought him out.”

“The difficulty is that the Crowauthorities haven’t been selling lanately, and would sooner lease. They see

nclined to admit that this is a somewha



exceptional case; in fact, they havgranted me one or two privileges.”

“What you would call a first option?”

asmyth remembered Acton’s mannewhen he had mentioned his acquaintancwith his companion, and one or two thing

he had said.“No,” he said, “not exactly that. I merelmentioned certain privileges.”

“Then, what’s to stop me or anybodgoing right down to Victoria and buyinhe whole thing up to-morrow?”

“I’m inclined to fancy you would discoveone or two things that would make idifficult,” answered Nasmyth dryly. “Foanother thing, I hardly think you would ge

any of the regular rock-cutting or mine



sinking people to undertake the worabout the fall at a figure that wouldnmake the risk too big. It’s not a place tha

ends itself to modern methods or the usof machinery. Besides, after approachinyou to a certain extent in confidence, iwouldn’t be quite the thing.”

Hutton waved the hand which bore thring. “Well,” he said, “we’ll get back toour original offer. If it isn’t good enough

how much more do you want?”asmyth explained his views, and the

discussed each proposition point by pointgradually drawing nearer to an agreemen

asmyth was quite aware that in a matteof this kind the man who provides thcapital usually takes the lion’s share, but

after all, the project was his, and h



naturally wanted something for himself. Aength Hutton leaned forward with bot

elbows on the table, and a certai

ntentness in his lean face.“Now,” he said, “I’ve gone just about afar as I can. You have either got to close

with my proposition or let it go.”asmyth said nothing, and there wa

silence for almost a minute while he laback in his chair gazing at the weather

cracked front of the store across the streetand thinking hard. There was, he waquite aware, a very arduous task in fronof him––one that he shrank from at timesfor it could only be by strenuous toil thahe could succeed in lowering the level ohe river, and it was clear that if h

accepted Mutton’s offer, his share of the



proceeds would not be a large one. Stillhe must have more capital than he coulsee the means of raising, and once o

wice he was on the point of signifying hiconcurrence. His face grew grimmer, andhe straightened himself a trifle, but he dinot see that the man who could supply th

money was watching him with a smile.Then it seemed to Nasmyth that he heard footstep in the room behind him, but it wa

not particularly noticeable, and Huttoouched his arm.

“Well,” said the promoter, “I’ll just runover our terms again.” He did so rapidlyand added: “If that doesn’t take you, we’lcall it off.”

asmyth made a gesture which wa

vaguely expressive of resignation, and i



another moment would have closed thbargain, but the footsteps grew plainerand, as he turned round, Acton appeared a

he open window close behind them. Hstood still, looking at them witamusement in his shrewd eyes, and thenstepping out, dropped heavily into th

nearest chair.“Not through yet? I want a drink,” he said

t was probably not often that Hutton wa

disconcerted, but Nasmyth saw his fingerclose sharply on his cigar, whiccrumpled under them, and that appearesignificant to him. Acton looked roundagain as he filled his glass.

“When you’re ready we’ll go along,” hsuggested. “You can worry out anything

Hutton has put before you to-night. Whe



’ve a matter of consequence on hand, generally like to sleep on it.”

asmyth rose and turned to Hutton. “don’t want to keep Mr. Acton, and I’mafraid I can’t decide just yet,” he said“I’ll let you know when I make up m

mind.”Hutton made a sign of concurrence, buhere was a suggestive frown on his face

when he leaned upon the balustrade, a

asmyth and Acton went down thstairway together. When they were halfway down the street, Acton looked a

asmyth with a dry smile.

“Well,” he commented, “you have still gomost of the wool on you?”

asmyth laughed, but there was relief i



his voice.

“I was very nearly doing what I thinwould have been an unwise thing,” hsaid. “It was fortunate you came alonwhen you did.”

Acton waved his hand. “I’m open to admi

hat Hutton has a voice like a boring bit. Iwould go through a door, any way. It’s ahing he ought to remember.”

“There is still a point or two I am not verclear upon;” and Nasmyth looked at histeadily.

Acton smiled again. “The fact is, Mrs

Acton gave me some instructionconcerning you. She said I was to see yohrough.” He made an expressive gesture

“She seemed to figure it might b



advisable.”

“Well,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “fancy she was right.”

They said nothing further, but Nasmytwas unusually thoughtful as theproceeded towards the water-front.



CHAPTER XVII

AN EVENTFUL DAY

t was about eleven o’clock on a cloudyunsettled morning when Nasmyth stooknee-deep in a swirling river-pooholding a landing-net and watching MisHamilton, who stood on a neighbourinbank of shingle with a light trout-rod i

her hand. The rod was bent, and the thiine, which was drawn tense and rigidripped through the surface of the poowhile there was also a suggestion o

ension in the pose of the girl’s figure. Sh



was gazing at the moving line, with a fincrimson in her cheeks and a brightness iher eyes.

“Oh,” she cried, “I’m afraid I’m going tose it, after all.”

asmyth smiled reassuringly. “Keep th

butt well down, and your thumb upon threel,” he continued. “You have only tokeep on a steady strain.”

A big silvery object broke the surface dozen yards away, and then, while the reeclinked, went down again; but the line wamoving towards Nasmyth now, and, i

another minute or two, he flung a sharpwarning at the girl as he made a sweepwith the net. Then he floundered ashoredripping, with the gleaming trout, whic

he laid at her feet.



“You ran that fish very well,” he told her“In fact, there were one or two momentwhen I never expected you to hold it.”

The colour grew a little plainer in hicompanion’s face, though whether thiwas due to his commendation or to elatio

at her own success was a question. As shhad just caught her first big fish, it wasperhaps, the latter.

“Oh,” she said complacently, “it isn’t so

very difficult after all. But I wonder whacan have become of the others of ouparty?”

t was at least an hour since Nasmyth haast seen their companions considerablower down the river. He and Mis

Hamilton had pushed on ahead of the

nto the Bush, which was a thing they ha



fallen into the habit of doing. The girl sadown on a boulder and seemed to bistening, but there was nothing to indicat

he presence of any of the party. Excepfor the murmur of the river and the sighinamong the pine-sprays high overhead, thBush was very still, but it seemed t

asmyth that there was more wind thahere had been.

“I suppose we had better go back t

hem,” observed the girl. The manner iwhich she spoke conveyed the impressiohat she would have been more or les

contented to stay where she was with him

but next moment she added: “After allhey have the lunch with them, and it mus

have been seven o’clock when wbreakfasted.”



“Yes,” said Nasmyth, “I think it was. Stilluntil this minute I had quite forgotten it.”

“I certainly hadn’t,” said Violet Hamilton“I don’t think I ever had breakfast at seveo’clock in my life until this morning.”

The fact had its significance to Nasmyth. I

was one of the many little things thaemphasized the difference between his lifand hers, but he brushed it out of his mindand they went back together down th

waterside. Their progress was slow, fohere was no trail at all, and while theaboriously plodded over the shingle, o

crept in and out among the thickets, thwail of the breeze grew louder. Half ahour had passed when the faint hoot of thTillicum’s whistle reached them amon

he trees.



remembered, was also lying well out frohe beach.

“We had better get off at once,” he said“The breeze is freshening, and this dinghsn’t very big.”

He helped the girl into the boat, and whe

he had thrust the little craft off sent heflying down the riband of sheltered waterbut he set his lips and braced himself foan effort when they slid out past a point o

froth-lapped shingle. There was already white-topped sea running, and the sprafrom the oar-blades and the dinghy’s bowblew aft into his companion’s face istinging wisps as he drove the plungincraft over it. Now and then an odbucketful of brine came in and hit him o

he back, while Miss Hamilton, wh



commenced to get very wet, shivered andrew her feet up as the water gatheredeeper in the bottom of the boat.

“I’m afraid I must ask you to throw somof that water out,” he said. “There is a cao scoop it up with.”

The girl made an attempt to do so, but iwas not surprising that in a few minuteswhen the dinghy lurched viciously, she lehe can slip from her fingers. Nasmyth se

his lips tighter, and his face was anxiouas he glanced over his shoulder. The sewas white-flecked between him and thTillicum, which lay rolling wildly farthedown the beach, at least half a mile awayt already taxed all Nasmyth’s strength to

drive the dinghy off shore, and every se

hat broke a little more sharply than th



rest splashed into the boat. He held on foanother few minutes, glancing over hishoulder and pulling cautiously, for it wa

evident that he might fill the dinghy up oroll her over if he failed to swing neatlover the crest of some tumbling comber. Ispite of his efforts, a wave broke o

board, and sitting ankle-deep in water, hwaited until there was a slightly smoothepatch in front of him, and then swung thdinghy round.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to make for thbeach,” he announced.

He would have preferred to head for thnlet, but that would have brought the littl

white seas, which were rapidly gettinsteeper, dangerously on her beam, and th

hrust of one beneath her side probabl



would have been sufficient to turn thdiminutive craft over. He accordinglpulled straight for the beach before th

wind, and the perspiration dripped frohis set face as he strove to hold the dinghstraight, when, with the foam boilinwhite about her, she swung up on the cres

of a comber. Once or twice Nasmythglanced at Violet Hamilton reassuringlybut she sat, half-crouching, against thransom, gazing forward, white in face

with her wet hair whipping about herasmyth had not noticed it before, but he

hat had evidently gone over. Speech wa

out of the question. He wanted all hibreath, and recognized that it was noadvisable to divert his attention for moment from his task, for it depends ver

argely upon the man at the oars whether



diminutive dinghy keeps right siduppermost in any weight of breeze. Oncor twice he risked a glance at th

approaching land.Sombre forest rolled down to the water’edge, and he could see that there wa

already a broad ribbon of frothy whitenesbeneath it, while so far as he had noticehat beach consisted of rock ledges an

very large boulders. It was about the las

place he would have chosen to make anding on, in a light and fragile dinghy.

After that, he looked resolutely asterover his companion’s shoulders as shswung up between him and the sea withe slate-green ridges and tumbling whitops of the combers behind her. At length

a hazarded glance showed him that the



were close inshore, and he wondered foa moment whether he could swing thdinghy round without rolling the boa

over. He did not think it could be doneand set his lips as he let her go, careerinon a comber’s crest, with at least half heength out of the water.

Then there was a white upheaval closalongside, and for a moment a black masof stone appeared amidst the leapin

foam. They swept by it, and he gaspewith relief as he looked at Miss Hamilton

“Get hold of me when she strikes,” hsaid.

The dinghy swung round, twistinbroadside-on with the brine pouring inther in spite of all that he could do; an

while he tore at one oar, another white se



hat curled menacingly rose up astern. Ibroke right into the boat, and in anothemoment there was a crash, and Nasmyth

who let the oars drop, stretched out hiarms to the girl. He jumped when shclutched him, and found himself standinamid the swirling froth on what seemed t

be a ledge of very slippery stone, witboth arms about her, while the crushed-idinghy swept up among the foam-lappeboulders. He sprang down from the stonas another sea came in, and floundereashore waist-deep with it, after which hset his dripping companion down upon th

beach.“I’m afraid you’re rather wet,” he saidwhen he got his breath again. “Still, really couldn’t help it. There was a goo



deal more sea than I had expected.”

Miss Hamilton, who sat down on boulder with the water dripping from heskirt, looked ruefully at him and thdinghy, which was rolling over in the surf

“How are we going to get off?” sh

nquired.“Not in that dinghy, any way,” answered

asmyth. “She has knocked all one bilg

n. They’ll probably send the Tillicum’gig ashore for us by-and-by.”

“But she’s going away!” said the girl, wita gasp of consternation.

asmyth, who turned round, saw that thiwas certainly the case. A cloud of steamblew away from beside the yacht’s funnel

and in another moment the shriek of



whistle reached him.

“I don’t think we need worry about that,he remarked. “They evidently watched uget ashore. You see, with the breezefreshening she couldn’t very well liwhere she was. Still, if I remember

here’s an inlet a couple of leagues or soaway along the coast where she’d finshelter.”

“But why didn’t they send for us first?”

“The trouble is that there is really a nastsea, and they couldn’t very well take uoff if they knocked a big hole in the gig.

fancy the wisest thing would be to walowards that inlet along the beach.”

They set off, when Nasmyth had pulled thdinghy out, but the beach was strewn wit



driftwood which was difficult to floundeover, as well as very rough. They made nogreater progress when they tried the Bush

Fallen trees lay across one another, andhere were thorny thickets in between

while, here and there, the undergrowtseemed as impenetrable as a wall. By

and-by it commenced to rain, and for ahour or two they plodded on dejectedlhrough the pitiless deluge. It rain

exceedingly hard in that country. At lashe girl sat down on a fallen tree. She ha

already lost her hat, and the water soakeout of Nasmyth’s jacket, which he had tied

by the arms about her shoulders. Hedrenched skirt clung about her, rent tatters, and one of her little shoes wa

caked with mire. The other gaped open.



“How far have we gone?” she asked.

“About a league,” answered Nasmytquietly. “I think we could make the inlet inanother two hours. That is, if the beacsn’t very much rougher.”

The girl leaned against a branch wearily

“I’m afraid I can’t go a step further,” shreplied with trembling lips.

The rain beat upon them, and Nasmyt

stood still a moment looking at her.“Well,” he said, “we really can’t stayhere. Since there seems no other way, hink I could carry you.”

His diffidence was evident, and Violesmiled. “Have you ever carrieanybody––a distance––before?” sh

asked.



“No,” said Nasmyth, “I certainly haven’t.”

“Then I don’t think there would be mucuse in trying. You couldn’t carry me fomore than four or five minutes. Thawouldn’t be worth while, would it?”

asmyth said nothing for a minute or two

for he felt compassionate as well as rifle confused. He had, in fact, alread

discovered that there are occasions whea young woman is apt to show greate

self-possession and look facts in the facmore plainly than a man. Then he set twork furiously with a branch which hore from the fallen tree, ripping off roug

slabs of bark, and in the course of half ahour had constructed a shelter about thbase of a cedar. It, at least, kept the rai

off when Violet sat under it.



“It might be as well if I pushed on for thnlet and brought George or Acton bac

with me,” he suggested. “We could make

something to carry you in, if there was tomuch sea for the gig.”

A flush crept into the girl’s face, and she

ooked at him reproachfully.“How could I stay here alone?” she asked“Don’t say those foolish things. Come iout of the rain.”

The bark shelter would just hold the twof them, and Nasmyth, dripping, sat dowclose beside her. She looked very forlorn

“I’m sorry for you,” he said awkwardly.

The girl showed faint signs of temper“You have told me that before. Why don’

you do something? You said you had lived



n the Bush, and now you have only been few hours in it. It was seven o’clock whewe had breakfast. Can’t you even make

fire?”“I’m afraid I can’t,” answered Nasmytdeprecatingly. “You see, one has usually

an axe and some matches, as well as a fewother odds and ends, when one lives in thBush. A man is a wretchedly helplesbeing when he has only his hands.”

The fact was borne in upon Violet forciblas she glanced out at the wet beachumbling sea, and dreary, dripping Bush

The Bush rolled back, a long successioof straggling pines that rose one behind thother in sombre ranks, to the rugged hillhat cut against the hazy sky. There was

no doubt, all that man required to provid



him with warmth and food and shelter ihat forest, but it was certain that it wa

only by continuous and arduous toil that h

could render it available. Indeed, since hcould not make himself an axe or a saw oa rifle, it was also evident that his effortwould be fruitless unless backed by th

oil of others who played their part in thgreat scheme of human co-operation.

t is, however, probable that Violet did

not concern herself with this aspect of thmatter, but she had led a sheltered lifeand it was curiously disconcerting to finherself brought suddenly face to face wit

primitive realities. She was wet througand worn out, and although evening wanot far away, she had eaten nothing sincseven o’clock that morning. Th



momentary petulance deserted her.

“Oh!” she cried, “they mayn’t be able tsend off for us for perhaps a day or two.”

“It is quite likely that the breeze will dropat sunset,” Nasmyth replied cheerfully“These westerly breezes often do

Anyway, the rain seems to be stoppingand I may be able to dry my matches. Ihe meanwhile I might come acros

something to eat. There are oysters o

some of these beaches.”

Violet glanced at the Bush apprehensivelyand once more it was evident that she di

not wish him to leave her. This sent a littlhrill of satisfaction through him, analthough he half-consciously contrasteher with Laura Waynefleet, it was no

altogether to her disadvantage. It is



curious fact that some men, and probablwomen, too, feel more drawn to thpersons upon whom they confer a benefi

han to those from whom they receive oneLaura Waynefleet, he realized, wouldhave urged him to make some attempt treach the Tillicum, and in all probabilit

would have insisted on taking a share in iwhile his companion desired only to leaon him. After all, Laura’s attitude wamore pleasant to the subconscious vanithat was in his nature, and in this respec

he probably differed but little from mosof his fellows.

“You won’t be very long away?” she saidasmyth reassured her upon this poin

and floundered down to the beach, wher

he carefully laid out to dry the little bloc



of sulphur matches that he carried. Thehe crawled among the boulders near lowwater mark, and, since oysters ar

olerably plentiful along those beachessucceeded in collecting several dozen ohem. After that he sat down and gazed

seaward for a minute or two. There wa

no sign of the Tillicum, only a strip odingy, slate-green sea smeared witstreaks of froth, which shone whitbeneath a heavy, lowering sky. Close infront of him the sea hove itself up in rowof foam-crested ridges, which fell upohe boulders and swirled over them an

among them a furious white seething. Hfancied that it was near sunset, and it waclear that the breeze was a little lighter. Iseemed to him just possible that fou

capable seamen might keep the gig afloa



close enough to the beach for one to wadout to her, though there would be a certaiperil in such a proceeding. Still, ther

were not four capable seamen on boarhe Tillicum!

Gathering up his matches, which ha

dried, Nasmyth went back to the barshelter. He was pleasantly conscious ohe relief in Miss Hamilton’s eyes whe

he reached it, and fancied that she was to

overwrought and anxious to care whethehe noticed it or not; but he set aboumaking a fire, and she helped him tcollect brittle undergrowth and falle

branches. Then they sat down and ate thoysters that he had laid among the embersHe thought they were not in season, anhey were certainly burnt and shrivelled



as well as somewhat gritty; but one is glao eat anything after a long day of exertion

and Nasmyth watched his companion wit

quiet appreciation as she handled through shells daintily with little delicatfingers. Her evident reliance upon him hats effect.

He carried an armful of branches to thbeach, and started another fire where icould be seen from seawards, after whic

he went back and sat outside the sheltenear Miss Hamilton, while darkness crepup from the eastwards across the Bush. Igrew dim and solemn, and the dolefu

wailing of the pines was curiouslmpressive. The girl shivered.

“The wind is very chilly,” she said, with

remor in her voice. “You will stay here



where I can see you. You won’t goaway?”

“Only to keep up the fire on the beach,asmyth answered reassuringly.

She crept into the shelter, and he could seher dimly when the flickering light blaze

up, but he could never remember howmany journeys he made to the fire upon thbeach before his eyes grew heavy as hsat amid the whirling smoke. H

endeavoured to keep awake, anresolutely straightened himself once owice, but at last his eyes close

altogether, and he did not hear the shrieof the Tillicum’s whistle ring far acroshe shadowy Bush. Indeed, he did no

waken when Acton and Wisbech came

floundering into the light of the fire; an



he two men looked at each other whehey stopped beside it and saw him lyinhere, and then discovered the girl insid

he shelter. Acton raised his handwarningly, while a faint twinkle crept intohis eyes.

“I guess there’s no reason why anybodyelse should hear of this,” he said. “Iseems to me that Miss Hamilton would bust as well pleased if we were not aroun

when she awakens.”He stooped and shook Nasmyth’s shouldeas Wisbech disappeared among thshadows.

“Get up,” said Acton. “Wait until I geaway, and then waken her.”

t was a minute before Nasmyth, wh



stood up stiffly, quite understood him, andhen the blood rose to his face as he crepnto the shelter and touched the girl. Sh

sprang to her feet with a little cry anclutched his arm. Then she suddenly leher hand fall back, and her cheeks flushecrimson.

“The steamer’s close by,” said Nasmytreassuringly. “They have sent for us aast.”

They went out together, and it was minute or two later when they came upoWisbech and Acton in the Bush. Nasmythentered into confused explanations as theproceeded towards the beach. The skwas a little lighter when they reached iand standing near the sinking fire, the

could dimly see the gig plunging amids



down the rough beach with her. Hcontrived to keep his footing when frothing sea broke against him, and

floundering through the seething waterreached the lurching boat. George seizehis burden, and gently deposited it in onof the seats. Scrambling on board

asmyth groped for an oar, and in anotheminute or two they laboriously drove thgig out towards the blinking lights of thTillicum.



CHAPTER XVIII

TRANQUILLITY

The afternoon was very hot when Nasmytplodded down a steep hillside through thhick red dust of the waggon trail. A fire

had swept the undergrowth away, andhere was no shade among the trees which

stripped of their branches, towered abou

him, great charred and blackened columnsClose ahead the primeval Bush rose in aunbroken sombre mass, and Nasmyth, whquickened his pace a trifle, sat down wit

a gasp of satisfaction when he reached th



first of the shadow. It was fresh and coohere. The Bush was scented with th

odours of pine and cedar, and filled wit

he soft murmur of falling water, while hknew that just beyond it Bonavista stooabove the sparkling sea.

He was on his way from the railroadepôt. It was just a fortnight since he haeft the Tillicum at the little mining town

on the day after the one he and Viole

Hamilton had spent on the beach, and hhad not seen her before he went. Now hfancied that a welcome awaited him, anhe felt sincerely pleased to be back again

As he sat beneath a great cedar filling hipipe, it seemed to him only appropriathat he should approach Bonavista throughat belt of cool, sweet-scented Bush. I



upon Mrs. Acton, sitting half asleep on secluded strip of veranda. She rouseherself and smiled when she saw him.

“So you have come back at last. We havebeen expecting you all the past week,” shsaid.

“That,” returned Nasmyth, “waremarkably good of you. In fact, I havwondered now and then, with sommisgivings, whether you have not seen to

much of me already.”

Mrs. Acton laughed. “You needn’t worryyourself on that point. We have all ou

ittle hobbies. My husband’s is thacquisition of dollars and the opening omines and mills. Mine is the amusing omy friends, or, rather, the permitting them

o amuse themselves, which is why I ha



Bonavista built. I make only onstipulation––it is that when you stay witus, you are amused.”

With a little sigh of content, Nasmytsettled himself in a canvas chair, andglanced out between the slender pillars o

he cool veranda at the wall of duskforest and the flashing sea.

“Ah,” he replied, “can you doubt it, mdear lady? After logging camp and min

and city, this is an enchanted land. I thint is always summer afternoon a

Bonavista.”

Mrs. Acton smiled at him graciously“That,” she observed, “was quite nice oyou. Things haven’t gone just as yowould have liked them to go, in the city?”



“They haven’t,” admitted Nasmytwhimsically. “As a matter of fact, thevery seldom do. Still, I wouldn’t like yo

o think that was the only reason I am glao get back.”

Mrs. Acton’s eyes twinkled. “I imagine

am acquainted with the other. You wererather tactful in going away.”

“I went because Mr. Acton handed me aetter which said that a business man i

Victoria would like a talk with me.”

“In any case, Miss Hamilton seems to bunder the impression that it was nice o

you.”“Nice of me to go away?” and Nasmyth’one was mildly reproachful.

“One would not resent a desire to sav



one any little embarrassment.”

“Still,” observed Nasmyth, with an air oreflection, “the trouble is that I couldn’contrive to keep out of her sighcontinually even if I wanted to, and”––howered his voice confidentially––“as i

happens, I don’t.”Mrs. Acton laughed. “I don’t know of anparticular reason why you should do thaViolet has probably quite recovered he

equanimity and decided on her attitudowards you.” Then she changed th

subject abruptly. “I wonder if I may poinout that there has been a change in yousince my husband brought you here. Foone thing, you are much more amusingEven your voice is different.”

asmyth bowed. “But not my hands,” h



said; and as he held up one hand, shnoticed the scars on it and the coarsenesof his nails. “That tells a tale, I think. M

dear lady, I scarcely think you quitrealize all that you have given me. Youhave never seen how we lived in thonely logging camps––packed like cattl

n a reeking shed––and you do not knowhe grim side of our life in the Bush. I

would be no great use to tell you that have now and then limped for dayogether over the ballast of a railroarack, wondering where my next dolla

was to come from. These are the thing

one could not expect you to understand.”Mrs. Acton’s face softened a little. “Still

think my husband does,” she repliedThen she smiled at him. “It almost seem



o me that you need never go back to thaife again unless you like it. I mean, o

course, that, for one thing, your uncle ha

his views concerning you. He has to somextent taken Mr. Acton into hiconfidence.”

asmyth made no comment, and MrsActon sank down a little further into heong chair. “The others are down on th

beach,” she announced drowsily. “I reall

hink I was going to sleep when you madyour appearance.”

asmyth could take a hint, and he strolleaway down the veranda stairway anaround the edge of the wide clearing in thshadow of the Bush, until he stood lookindown upon the sea from the crown of th

bluff. Then he felt a little thrill, for som



wenty or thirty feet beneath him was patch of something white in the shadow ohe shrubbery. He went down quietly unti

he stopped, and, stooping, touched VioleHamilton’s shoulder. She looked aroundwith a start, and a faint trace oembarrassment crept into her face at th

sight of him.“Oh,” she said, “I thought you were iVictoria.”

asmyth stretched himself out upon edge of rock near her feet. “Mrs. Acto

was good enough to imply that she habeen expecting me more or less anxiouslfor several days,” he rejoined in a tone oreproach. “In fact, she used the plurapronoun, which led me to believe tha

somebody else must have shared he



anxiety. She did not, however, point ouwho it was that she meant.”

“Her husband, in all probability. Shcould, at least, speak for him.”

asmyth appeared to ponder over thishough his heart was beating faster tha

usual, for the suggestion of confusiowhich he had noticed in the girl’s mannehad its significance for him.

“Well,” he conceded, “it may have beenActon, but I almost ventured to believshe meant somebody else. In any case, shouldn’t like to think you wer

displeased at my reappearance. If you arecan, of course, go away again.”

“I am not the only person at BonavistaWouldn’t anybody else’s wishes count––



have brought a little of the latter back witme.”

Violet said nothing for half a minuteduring which she lay resting on onelbow, looking down upon the cool, greeflashing of the water a hundred fee

below, and again Nasmyth felt a littlhrill run through him. She was so verdainty in speech and thought and person, woman of the world he had once belonge

o, and which it now seemed he mighenter again. Her delicately chiselled, halfaverted face matched the slight but finelmoulded figure about which the thin whit

draperies clung. She turned and looked ahim.

“You certainly can’t be serious now,” she

declared.



“I assure you that when I mentioned thglamour and mystery, I was never half soserious in my life. They are, after all, ver

real things.”He was, as a matter of fact, grimly serioufor the moment as he wondered at th

change that had come over him. His life ihe silent Bush, the struggle with the icriver, and even Laura Waynefleet, whohad encouraged him in his work o

rehabilitation, had by degrees become nmore than a dim, blurred memory. Hknew that he could recall it all, but he hano wish to make the effort, for it was mor

pleasant to hear the sighing of the summewind about the firs of Bonavista, anwonder languidly what his companiohought.



“I haven’t thanked you for taking care ome the day we were left behind on thbeach,” said Violet.

asmyth made a sign of protest. “I don’hink you are under any very grea

obligation to me. As a matter of fact, m

efforts on your behalf nearly resulted imy drowning you. Besides, you see, therwas really not the slightest cause founeasiness. Acton certainly would hav

sent for us when the wind dropped.”“But it might have blown for days.”

“Then,” said Nasmyth, with a twinkle i

his eyes, “we would have lived on salmoand berries until it stopped. One reallcan live on them for a considerable timehough they are not remarkably palatabl

when one has anything else to eat; in fact



t’s a thing I’ve done.”

Salmon is not esteemed in that countryexcept for the purpose of sending East icans, and it is seldom that anybody eats iexcept the Indians. There is probably ndiet that more rapidly grows satiating.

“Ah,” exclaimed the girl, with a shiver, “iwould have been horrible.”

She was evidently not thinking of th

salmon, but of the dreary, dripping Bushand Nasmyth looked at her with reproacn his eyes.

“I really don’t think it would have been,

he said. “In fact, I believe we could havived there for a little while ver

contentedly––that is, when I had fixehings up a bit. After all, there is a certain



glamour in the Bush when one gets used tt.”

He saw the faint colour creep into heface, and, though it cost him an effort, laia restraint upon himself.

“Well,” he said, “I at least would not have

felt that I had any cause to complainhough, no doubt, it would have bee

different with you. You see”––and hemade an expressive gesture––“I have ha

a long tough tussle since I came tCanada, and experiences of that sort havheir effect on one. In fact, they set on

apart from those who haven’t undergonhem. It seems to have struck you that

was prematurely solemn and serious whecame to Bonavista.”

He thought he saw sympathy in Viole



Hamilton’s eyes, and her next observatiomade it clear that her mind was busy withe suggestion that he had conveyed.

“After all,” she said softly, “you cannot bvery much older than I am.”

“Four years, perhaps,” returned Nasmyth

with a trace of grimness. “That is, in onsense. In another, I think I am double youage. You see, you have never been broughnto contact with the realities of life. I

you had been, you would probably not bso ready to take me for what you think am, as I believe you have graciously doneAfter all, you know so very little aboume.”

He felt that he was doing no more thadischarging an obligation in giving her thi

warning. He desired to afford her ever



opportunity of satisfying herselconcerning him, for he was not a fool, anhe had seen for a moment or two

suggestive softness in her face. It ipossible that she did not know it had beehere, but he felt that if he roused himsel

and made the effort, he might sweep awa

he barriers between them.Violet appeared troubled by his wordsShe sat silent, while Nasmyth wondere

what she would say. He was aware that good deal depended upon her next remarkThen there were footsteps on the slopbehind them, and, turning suddenly, h

saw Acton and another man approachinhem. He rose with a little start when h

recognized the second man as Gordonwho was neatly attired in city clothes



Gordon looked down at Nasmyth with faint sardonic smile.

“Mr. Gordon turned up half an hour ago,Acton said. “It appears that he was goinnto the city, and got off the cars to tal

over things with you. I believe he had

notion of going on again to-night, but MrsActon won’t hear of it.”

Gordon bowed in the direction of his host

“I’d have put up a more vigorous protesagainst troubling Mrs. Acton than I did, ihad felt it would have been of any use,

he said.

“Well,” replied Acton, smiling, “I guesshey’ll be getting supper ready, and w

were sent here to bring our friend anMiss Hamilton in.”



They went back to the house togetherwhere they found the long table spread. Iwas characteristic of the owner o

Bonavista that he still called the eveninmeal supper. There were, beside

asmyth and Wisbech, five or six otheguests from Victoria and one of the risin

cities on Puget Sound, and Gordospeedily made himself very much at homeMost of his new acquaintances found whahe had to say entertaining, but MisHamilton was, as Nasmyth noticedsomewhat silent. Nasmyth, on his part, felslightly restless, for his old comrade’

presence had an unsettling effect on him. Iwas, however, not until an hour or twoater that he and Gordon were able t

discuss their own affairs. They sat on th

veranda looking down upon the sea, whil



he dusk slowly crept up from the east.

“Now,” said Gordon, “I should like tohear what you have done.”

“I’m afraid it’s not a great deal,” repliedasmyth. “The Crown land authoritie

appear disposed to sell the land instead o

easing it, which of late has been the morusual course; but they insist on counting certain proportion of the hillside and biimber in. I may get one or tw

concessions, and I’m still keeping thaffair before them. In the meanwhile I’vbeen seeing what can be done to raisenough capital to take up all the land, buhaven’t met with any great success. Thfolks I’ve been in communication with, ausual, want all the profit; in fact, I almos

fancy it might be as well to raise wha



money we can around the settlement, ancontent ourselves with locating a portioof the valley.”

Gordon nodded. “You can’t do muchabout the fall until after the autumfreshets, anyway, and there’s a good dea

you can’t get at until the frost sets in,” hdeclared. “In the meanwhile the offerWheeler and I made you hold.”

They discussed the matter until Mrs

Acton appeared on the veranda and shooher head at them.

“What are you two doing here when ther

are pretty girls in the house waiting for dance?” she inquired.

“I’m afraid we have been very remiss,apologized Nasmyth, when they joine



her. “Still, we didn’t know, and we hadsome business to talk about.”

“There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow.”

“The trouble is that I shall be in the cithen,” said Gordon.

Mrs. Acton laughed. “Oh, no!” shcontradicted. “We are all going for a saion the straits to-morrow, and we certainl

expect you to join us. In the meanwhile, believe there are two young womewaiting for partners.”

She silenced Gordon’s objections as the

urned back towards the house. They founhe dancing had commenced, and Nasmyt

failed to secure Miss Hamilton as partner for any time in the evening. H



could not help a fancy that she had takesome little trouble to bring about thiresult.



CHAPTER XIX

NASMYTH HEARS THERIVER

Darkness had settled down on Bonavist

next evening when Nasmyth lay in canvas chair on the veranda, whilGordon leaned against the balustrade ifront of him with a cigar in his hand. A

blaze of light streamed out from one of thong open windows a few yards away

and somebody was singing in the roobehind it, while the splash of the gentl

surf came up from the foot of th



promontory in a deep monotone. Now anhen a shadowy figure strolled into th

veranda or crossed it to the terrace below

but for the time being nobody disturbehe two men.

“I haven’t had a word with you since las

night,” said Nasmyth. “How are the boyat the settlement?”

“Hustling along as usual.” Gordoaughed. “Is there anybody else you fee

nclined to ask about?”

“Yes,” said Nasmyth, “there certainly isHow is Miss Waynefleet?”

Gordon looked down at his cigar. “Well,”he said, “I’m a little worried on heaccount. She was attempting to do a grea

deal more than was good for her when



ast saw her. They have no longer a hiredman at the ranch. Waynefleet, understand, is rather tightly fixed fo

money, and, as you know, he isn’t the kindof man who would deny himself. He waalking of selling some stock.”

asmyth suddenly straightened himselfand closed one hand rather hard on tharm of his chair.

“What right have you and I to be loungin

here when that girl is working late anearly on the ranch?” he asked. “Gordonyou will have to buy two or three head ohat stock at double value for me.”

“It’s rather a big question;” and Gordon’one was serious. “In fact, I fancy it’s onhat neither you nor I can throw much ligh

upon. Anyway, I may as well point out tha



arrived here only yesterday, and I’going on again in the morning. As to thother matter, Laura Waynefleet has friend

who will stand by her.”“Don’t you count me one of them?

asmyth demanded. “That girl saved m

ife for me.”Gordon glanced round sharply, for therwere light footsteps on the veranda, anhe almost imagined that a white figure i

filmy draperies stopped a moment. Ithowever, went on again and vanished ihe shadow.

“I believe she did,” he admitted. “Well, ihere’s anything that can be done, you mayrely on me.” He made an abrupt gestureand as he turned, the light from th

window fell upon his face, showing th



curious smile on it. “What are you doinhere?”

He flung the question at his comrade, anasmyth, who knew what he meant, sat fo

a moment or two with wrinkled foreheadThere was no reason why he should no

stay there so long as Mr. and Mrs. Actondesired his company, but it did not seefitting that he should spend those summedays in luxurious idleness while Laur

Waynefleet toiled late and early at theonely ranch. Again, he seemed to see hesteady eyes with the quiet courage in themand the gleam of her red-gold hair. Eve

hen she was, he reflected, in alprobability occupied with some severdrudgery. It was a thing he did not like tocontemplate, and he almost resented th



fact that Gordon should have brought suchoughts into his mind. His comrade ha

broken in upon his contentment like

frosty wind that stung him to action. Stilhe answered quietly.

“I am within easy reach of the city here,

he explained. “Acton, who has once owice given me good advice, is acquaintewith most of the folks likely to be of anuse to us, and has laid the scheme befor

one or two of them. That, at least, is onreason why I am staying at Bonavista. It’perfectly evident that it wouldn’t be anbenefit to Miss Waynefleet if I went back

o the Bush.”“No,” agreed Gordon grimly; “if you werikely to be of any use or consolation t

her, you’d go, if I had to drag you.”



asmyth smiled. He was too welacquainted with his comrade’s manner toake offence at this remark, and the man’

devotion to the girl who, he knew, wouldnever regard him as more than a frienalso had its effect.

“Well,” he said, “since plain speakingseems admissible, you are probablaware that Laura Waynefleet has nothingbeyond a kindly interest in me. She is,

needn’t point out, a remarkably sensiblyoung lady.”

He stopped somewhat abruptly, foWisbech emerged from the shadowbeneath the pillars, and sat down in chair close by.

“Yes,” said Wisbech, “I heard, and i

seems to me Derrick’s right in on



respect. Though I don’t know how far iaccounts for the other fact he has jusmpressed on you, Miss Wayneflee

certainly possesses a considerable amounof sense. She is also a young lady I have high opinion of. Still, if he had gone baco the Bush merely because you insiste

on it, I think I should have cast him off.”Gordon appeared to ponder over this, anhe then laughed softly. “It’s quite natural

and I guess I sympathize with you,” hremarked. “In one way, however, younephew’s acquitting himself creditablyconsidering that there are apparently thre

people anxious to exert a beneficennfluence upon him. The effect of that kin

of thing is apt to become a triflbewildering, especially as it’s eviden



heir views can’t invariably coincide.”

“Three?” said Wisbech, with a twinkle ihis eyes. “If you count me in, I almosfancy there are four.”

asmyth said nothing, though he felt hiface grow hot. Gordon smiled.

“As a matter of fact,” he admitted, “I had notion that Miss Hamilton resented mbeing here. Any way, she didn’t take any

very noticeable trouble to be pleasant tme to-day. No doubt she considers annfluence she may choose to exert shoul

be quite sufficient.”

“It should be,” said Nasmyth. “That is, tany man who happened to be a judge ocharacter, and had eyes in his head.”

Gordon waved one hand. “Oh,” h



averred, “she’s very dainty, and I thinkhere’s a little more than prettiness there

which is a very liberal admission, sinc

’m troubled with an impression that shsn’t quite pleased with me. Still, whehe woods are full of pretty girls, I guest’s wisest of a man who has anythin

worth while to do in front of him to keephis eyes right on the trail, and go steadilahead.” He turned to Wisbecdeprecatingly. “We don’t mind you, sirWe regard you as part of the concern.”

“Thanks,” said Wisbech, with a certaidryness. “I believe I am interested in it––

at least, financially.”“Well,” said Gordon, “when I breakoose, as I do now and then, I quite ofte

say a little more than is strictly advisabl



without meaning to. It’s a habit some folkhave. Your observation, howeverswitches us off on to a different matter

’ve been telling your nephew we leavhim to handle the thing and stand by ouoffers.”

“That is precisely what I mean to do. Thaffair is Derrick’s. He must take his owcourse,” declared Wisbech.

Gordon grinned as he turned to Nasmyth

“There will be no reinforcements. Youhave to win your spurs.” Then he lookeat Wisbech. “If you will not be offendedsir, I would like to say I’m pleased tonotice that your ideas coincide with mineHe’ll be the tougher afterwards if you lehim put up his fight alone.”

“The assurance is naturally satisfactory,



said Wisbech with quiet amusement. Thehe held up one hand. “It seems to me thperson at the piano is playin

exceptionally well.”They sat silent while the crashing openinchords rang out from the lighted room, an

hen Nasmyth, who was a lover of musicfound himself listening with a straineattention as the theme stole out of them, fot chimed with his mood. He had bee

restless and disturbed in mind beforGordon had flung his veiled hints at himand the reality underlying his comrade’badinage had a further unsettling effec

He did not know what the music was, but seemed in keeping with the throb of th

sea against the crag and the fitful wailinof the pines. There was a suggestion o



effort and struggle in it, and, it seemed thim, something that spoke of a greadominant force steadily pressing on; and

as he listened, the splash of the sea grewfainter, and he heard instead the roar ohe icy flood and the crash of mighty tree

driving down upon his half-built dam

These were sounds which sometimehaunted him against his will, and once owice he had been a little surprised to finhat, now that they were past, he coulook back upon the months of tense effor

with a curious, half-regretful pleasure. Hwas relieved when the music, that swelle

n a sonorous crescendo, stopped, and hsaw Gordon glance at Wisbech.

“I think that man has understanding and thgift of expressing what he feels,” sai



Wisbech. “The music suggested somethino you?”

“The fast freight,” confesseGordon.––“When she’s coming down thbig cañon under a full head of steam. don’t know if that’s quite an elegan

simile, in one way. Still, if you care think how that track was built, it’s nodifficult to fancy there’s triumph in thwhistles and the roar of the freight-ca

wheels.”Wisbech made a sign of comprehensionand Gordon looked hard at Nasmyth. “It’your call.”

“I heard the river,” said Nasmyth. “In factoften hear it, and now and then wish

didn’t. It’s unsettling.”



Gordon laughed in a suggestive fashion“Well,” he declared, “most of us heasomething of that kind at times, and n

doubt it’s just as well we do. It’s apt tohave results if you listen. You have beenmost of a month in the city one way oanother. You took to it kindly?”

“I didn’t,” Nasmyth answered, and it waevident that he was serious. “I came bachere feeling that I had had quite enough o

t.”“Bonavista is a good deal morpleasant?” And there was a certaimeaning in Gordon’s tone. “You seemedo have achieved some social succes

here, too.”

He saw the flush in Nasmyth’s face, and

his gaze grew insistent. “Well,” he said



“you’re not going to let that content younow you can hear the river. You’ll hear imore and more plainly frothing in th

black cañon where the big trees comdown. You have lived with the exiles, andhe wilderness has got its grip on you

What’s more, I guess when it does that i

never quite lets go.”He broke off abruptly, and just then Actonstepped out from the window. “Mr

Gordon,” he said, “it’s my wife’s wishhat you should come in and sing.”

Gordon said that he was in Mrs. Acton’hands, and then turned to Nasmyth.

“I’ve had my say,” he observed. “Ihere’s any meaning in my remarks, yo

can worry it out.”



He went away with Acton, and Wisbechooked at his nephew over his cigar.

“Mr. Gordon expresses himself in a ratheextravagant fashion, but I’m disposed tfancy there is something in what he says,he commented.

asmyth did not answer him. He was, ohe whole, glad that Gordon had gone, bu

he still seemed to hear the river, and threstlessness that had troubled him wa

becoming stronger. He retired somewhaearly, but he did not sleep quite sosoundly as usual that night. As ihappened, Gordon rose before him nexmorning. Gordon went out of doors, anpresently came upon Miss Hamilton, whwas strolling bareheaded where the earl

sunshine streamed in among the pines. I



struck him that he was not the persowhom she would have been most pleaseo see, but she walked with him to th

crown of the promontory, where shstopped and looked up at him steadily.

“Mr. Gordon,” she inquired, “what i

Laura Waynefleet?”Gordon started, and the girl smiled.

“I crossed the veranda last night,” she tol

him, when he hesitated before answerinher.

The man looked down on her with aunusual gravity. “Well,” he said simply

“Laura Waynefleet is quietness, andsweetness, and courage. In fact, sometimes think it was to make theshings evident that she was sent into thi



world.”

He thought he saw a gleam ocomprehension in the girl’s eyes, andmade a gesture of protest. “No,” hassured her, “I’m not fit to brush her littlshoes. For that matter, though he is m

comrade, Nasmyth isn’t either. What iperhaps more to the purpose, I guess he iquite aware of it.”

A delicate tinge of colour crept into Viole

Hamilton’s face, and the man realized than case his suppositions were correct

what he had implied could hardly bconsidered as a compliment. He coulalso fancy that there was a certaiuneasiness in her eyes.

“Ah,” she said, “perhaps it is a subject

should not have ventured to inquire into.”



Gordon smiled reassuringly. “I don’know of any reason why you shouldnhave done so, but I have scarcely told yo

anything about her yet. Miss Waynefleeives at a desolate ranch in the Bush

Sometimes she drives oxen, and I believshe invariably makes her own clothes.

don’t think Nasmyth would feel any greadiffidence in speaking about her.”

He believed this, or at least he strove t

convince himself that he did, but he warelieved when the appearance of Actonwho strolled towards them, rendered anfurther confidential conversation out of th

question. Gordon set out for Victoria thaafternoon, and Nasmyth, who went withim to the railroad, returned to Bonavistn a restless mood, and almost disposed t



be angry with his comrade for havinrudely broken in upon his tranquillity. Ifact, he felt disinclined to face his fellow

guests, which was one reason why he wasauntering towards the inlet when he camupon Wisbech sitting with a book in thshadow of the pines. Wisbech looked up

at his moody face.“You are annoyed because Gordonwouldn’t stay?” he suggested.

“No,” said Nasmyth. “In fact, I’m a littlrelieved that he has gone away. I naturallike Gordon, but just now he has a

unsettling effect on me.”

Wisbech made a gesture ocomprehension. “That man,” he said, “in some respects fortunate. He has

simple programme, and is evidently mor



or less content with it. His work is plain front of him. You are not quite sure

about yours yet. To some extent, you fee

yourself adrift?”“I have felt something of the kind.”

Wisbech thought for a moment. “

suppose,” he said, “it hasn’t occurred tyou that your classical features––they’r

asmyth features––might be of somassistance to you in your career?”

asmyth felt the blood rise into his facebut he laughed. “They certainly havenproved of any great benefit to me hitherto

t is scarcely likely that they will do seither in the cañon.”

“Then you are still determined odirecting operations in person? I wa



commencing to wonder if you had anreason for modifying your plans.”

The man’s tone was dry, but Nasmyth mehis gaze, which was now inquisitive.

“If it is in my power to do it, I shalcertainly run the water out of the valley,

said Nasmyth.Then he swung round and strolled awaywhile Wisbech smiled in a fashion whic

suggested that he was pleased. It wasome little time later when Nasmythpacing moodily over the white shinglbeside the winding inlet, came upo

Violet Hamilton sitting in the shadow of great boulder. The girl’s light dresmatched the rock’s pale tinting, and he didnot see her until he was within a yard o

wo of her. He stopped abruptly, with a



deepened colour in his face. Violet mada sign, which seemed to invite him to sidown, and he stretched himself out upo

he shingle close in front of her.“It is very hot in the house this afternoonbut it is cool and quiet here,” sh

observed.asmyth glanced at the still water and th

shadow that the pines which clung in thcrevices flung athwart the dark rock’

side.

“Stillness sometimes means stagnationMiss Hamilton,” he said.

The girl flashed a quick glance at him“Well,” she rejoined, “I suppose it doesbut, after all, that is a question we neenot discuss. What were you thinking of s



hard as you came along? You didn’t seeme until you almost stepped upon mdress.”

“That,” said Nasmyth, with a laugh, “iproof that I was thinking very hard indeedt’s not a thing I often indulge in, but I wa

hinking of the Bush.”“You sometimes feel you would like to beback there?”

“No,” answered Nasmyth reflectively; “suppose I ought to feel that, but I’m nosure that I do.”

“Ah,” Violet remarked, “you have told m

a good deal at one time or another abouyour life and friends there, but I almosfancied now and then that you werkeeping something back. After all”––and



she smiled at him––“I suppose that woulhave been only natural.”

asmyth raised himself on one elbow, andooked hard at her. “Well,” he admitted

“there was one thing I did not tell youhough I had meant to do so sooner o

ater. You see, there was nothing towarrant it in the meanwhile.”

“Ah,” queried the girl, “it concerns MisWaynefleet?”

asmyth’s face grew suddenly grave. Hdid not ask himself how she came tknow. Indeed, for the time being, that did

not seem to matter. There was, it seemedonly one course open to him, and hadopted it.

“Yes,” he answered, “I will tell you abou



her.”

He had meant to be brief and matter-offact in his narrative, but as he proceededhe subject carried him away. Indeed, h

was scarcely conscious that MisHamilton was intently watching him, fo

once more he seemed to feel LaurWaynefleet’s eyes fixed upon his face, anhey were clear and brave and still. H

spoke with a certain dramatic force, and i

was a somewhat striking picture he drewof the girl. Violet could realize hepersonality and the self-denying life thashe led. It is possible that Nasmyth ha

old her more than he intended, when hbroke off for a moment with a startlinabruptness.

“I believe she saved my life,” he added



“She certainly gave me back my courageand set me on my feet again.”

Violet looked at him with a strainedexpression in her eyes. “And because ohat she will have a hold upon you whil

you live.”

asmyth seemed to consider this. “I thinshall always realize what I owe to her

Still––and how shall I say it?––tharecognition is the most I would venture t

offer, or that she would accept from me.”

He stopped for a moment, and then wenon a trifle hastily. “Laura Wayneflee

could never have taken more than a halfcompassionate interest in me,” hasserted. “There could scarcely be andoubt upon that point.”



“You said half-compassionate?”

“Yes,” replied Nasmyth; “I almost thinkhat describes it. You see, I am naturally

aware of my own disabilities.”

“Still,” persisted Violet, “she nursed yowhen you were very ill, and, as you said

set you on your feet again. That woulprobably count for a good deal with her.”

asmyth made a hasty gesture. “You don’

understand. She would no doubt havaken pity on any dumb creature. She did ibecause she could not help it. One coulfancy that kind of thing was born in her.”

Violet did not speak for a moment or twoAlthough it still remained uncertaiwhether the girl in the Bush had anenderness for the man she had set upo



his feet again, he had spoken of her in manner which did not quite please Violet.

“Well,” she ventured, with a littlediffident glance at him, “some day yowill go back into the Bush.”

asmyth nodded. “Yes,” he said, “I think

hat’s certain. In fact, it’s probable that shall go back very soon. As it happens, have undertaken a big and rather difficulhing, which will give me a considerabl

ift up if I am successful.”

He lay silent for a minute before he turneo her again. “You see, I have been some

ime in this country, and never have donanything worth mentioning. Chopping treeand driving cattle are no doubt usefuoccupations, but they don’t lead t

anything. I feel that I am, so to speak, o



my probation. I have still to win mspurs.”

“I wonder if that is one of the ideas MisWaynefleet gave you?”

asmyth smiled. “I really believe ioriginated with her, but, as a matter o

fact, it might have gone no further, whics an admission. Still, the desire to wihose spurs has been growing so strong oate that I can’t resist it. In one way,

scarcely think that is very astonishing.”

Violet looked away from him, for she sawhe gleam in his eyes, and fancied sh

understood what the new motive he hahinted at might be. Still, he did not appeadisposed to mention it.

“Then you would have to go away?” sh



asked.

A flush crept into Nasmyth’s face. Shewas a woman of his own caste, anprobably without intending it, she hashown him in many ways that she was noaverse from him. He felt his heart beat fas

when for a moment she met his gaze.“The trouble is that if I do not go I shalnever have the right to come back again,he told her.

“Then,” replied the girl very softly, “yowish to come back?”

“That is why I am going. There are thos

spurs to win. I have to make my mark.”

“But it is sometimes a little difficult tmake one’s mark, isn’t it? You may be

ever so long, and it must be a littl



hazardous in that horrible cañon.”

“If it gives me the right to come back, hink it will be very well worth while.”

“But suppose you don’t succeed, afteall?”

“That,” admitted Nasmyth, “is a thing daren’t contemplate, because, if ihappened, it is scarcely likely that any omy friends at Bonavista would ever b

roubled with me again.”Violet looked away from him. “Ah,” shsaid, “don’t you think that would be ittle hard on them? Is it very easy for yo

o go away?”

The restraint Nasmyth had imposed upohimself suddenly deserted him. He move

a little nearer to her, and seized one of he



hands. She sat still, and made no effort tdraw it away from him.

“I had never meant to say what I am goino say just now,” he declared. “I had

meant to wait until there was somethinsuccessfully accomplished to my credit.

am, you see, a thriftless, wanderinadventurer––one who has taken things ahey came, and never has been serious

When I have shown that I can also b

something else, I shall ask you formally iyou will marry me. Until then the thing isof course, out of the question.”

He broke off for a moment, and held hesilent by a gesture until he went on again“I have been swept away, and even if yowere willing to make it, I would take n

promise from you. Until I have won th



right to come back you must be absolutelfree. Now you know this, it would be vermuch wiser if I went away as soon a

possible.”“Ah,” the girl answered with a thrill in hevoice, “whenever you come back you wil

find me ready to listen to you.”asmyth let her hand go. “Now,” h

asserted, “I think I cannot fail. Still, imust be remembered that you ar

absolutely free.”

He would have said something more, buhere was just then a laugh and a patter o

feet on the path above, and, looking up, hsaw two of Mrs. Acton’s guestdescending the bluff.



CHAPTER XX

NASMYTH GOES AWAY

Mrs. Acton was sitting on the veranda nexmorning when Nasmyth, fresh from swim in the deep cold water of the inletcame up across the clearing. It had brougha clear glow into his bronzed skin and brightness to his eyes, and as he flung

word to a man who greeted him, his laughad a clean, wholesome ring. He walkestraight toward the veranda, and MrsActon, sitting still, favoured him with

very keen and careful scrutiny. He wa



dressed in light flannels, which, shadmitted, became him rather well; but iwas the lithe gracefulness of hi

movements that she noticed most. Hieasy, half-whimsical manner had theieffect on her; they won her favour. He wahe kind of guest she had pleasure i

welcoming at Bonavista.He went up the veranda stairway, andstopping near where she was sitting

ooked down at her with a curious littlglow in his eyes. She started, for she hanot expected to see it there so soon.

“You seem unusually satisfied witheverything this morning,” she observed“There is probably some cause for it?”

asmyth laughed. “I believe I am. As

dare say you have noticed, tranqui



contentment is one of my virtues. It ishowever, one that is remarkably easy toexercise at Bonavista.”

“Still, contentment does not, as a rulecarry a young man very far in this countryn fact, it is now and then a little difficul

o distinguish between it and somethinelse that is less creditable to the man whpossesses it.”

asmyth smiled good-humouredly

“Well,” he replied, “I have discoveredhat if you worry Fortune too much sh

resents it, and flies away from you. Iseems to me there is something to be saifor the quietly expectant attitude. After allone is now and then given much more thaone could by any effort possibly deserve.”

Mrs. Acton noticed the faint ring in hi



voice. “Ah,” she said, “then something ohat kind has befallen you? Hadn’t yo

better come to the point?”

asmyth became grave. “Madam,” hsaid, “I have a confession to make. I avery much afraid I lost my head yesterday

and I should not be astonished if you wervery angry with me.”

He spoke with a certain diffidence, anMrs. Acton, who straightened herself i

her chair, watched him steadily while hmade his confession. He paused with gesture of deprecation.

“In one sense, it is a preposterous follybut I am not quite sure that folly is not nowand then better than wisdom,” he added“It has certainly proved to be so in m

case.”



“No doubt.” Mrs. Acton’s tone wasuggestive. “It is, however, MisHamilton I am most interested in.”

asmyth spread one hand out forcibly. “want you to understand that she iabsolutely free. I have only told yo

because you once mentioned that yoconsidered her a ward of yours. Nothinwill be said to anybody else, and, if shshould change her mind, I will no

complain. In fact, I have decided that iwould be most fitting for me to go away.”

“I think,” asserted Mrs. Acton, “you havbeen either too generous or not quitgenerous enough. The trouble with men oyour kind is that when for once they takhe trouble to reflect, they become to

cautious.”



“I’m afraid I don’t quite grasp the point ohat.”

“You should either have said nothingwhich is the course you ought to havadopted, or a little more. I fancy Violewould have been just as pleased if yo

had shown yourself determined to maksure of her.”

asmyth stood silent, and Mrs. Actonwho surveyed him again with thoughtfu

eyes, was not surprised that he shoulhave appealed to the girl’s imaginationThe man was of a fine lean symmetry, andstraight of limb. The stamp of a clean lifwas on him, showing itself in thbrightness of his eyes and his cleabronzed skin, while he had, as Wisbec

had said, the classical Nasmyth features



These things, as Mrs. Acton admittedcounted for something, while the fainines upon his face, and the suggestiv

hardness that now and then crept into itwere, she decided, likely to excite a younwoman’s curiosity.

“Well,” she said, “I feel myselconsiderably to blame, and I may admihat I had at first intended to make m

husband get rid of you. I really don’t know

why I didn’t. You can make what you likeof that.”

asmyth bowed with a deferential smileand she laughed.

“Still,” she said, “you must go awayViolet must be free to change her mindand, after all, it’s consoling to reflect tha

she has not seen so very much of you yet



n one way, it would please me if she didt would free me of a rather heav

responsibility.”

She stopped a moment, and looked at hiwith softening eyes. “Go and run the wateout of that valley, or do anything else tha

will make a mark,” she advised.asmyth’s face was set as he replied: “I

he thing is in any way possible, it shall bdone. I think I will go into Victoria agai

o-day.”

He turned away and left her, and it was ahour later when she came upon Viole

sitting alone in a shady walk beneath thpines. She looked at the girl severely.

“If I had been quite sure of what wagoing on, I should have sent that youn



man away,” she remarked. “As it is, I avery glad that he is going to Victoria.”

Violet slipped an arm about Mrs. Acton’neck and kissed her shyly. “You wouldnever have been so cruel, and now you argoing to be my friend,” she said. “I don

want him to go back to that horriblcañon.”

Mrs. Acton smiled. “I almost feel that could shake both of you, but I suppose

shall have to marshal my forces on youbehalf.”

She set about her plans that evening, whe

she invaded Acton’s smoking-room, andher husband listened to her with a littldry smile.

“I guess this is about the first time I hav



ever known you to do a real foolishing,” he observed.

“Well,” said Mrs. Acton, “it is, perhapso my credit that I have done one now

Anyway, I like the man.”

Acton nodded. “Oh, yes;” he agreed

“that’s quite comprehensible. There’s agood deal of tone about him, but excepwith women that’s not a thing that countn this country. It’s the bulldog grip and

grit that goes farthest here––anyway, whea man has no money behind him.”

“You wouldn’t consider Nasmyth a weak

man?”“Not in one way. When he’s right upagainst it, he’ll stiffen himself and fightbut when the strain slackens a little hi



kind are apt to let go too easily.”

This, as a matter of fact, was more or lescorrect, but Mrs. Acton’s intention wanot to discuss Nasmyth’s character, andshe smiled at her husband.

“Well,” she announced; “I expect you to

ake a hand in the thing.”Acton’s gesture was expressive oresignation. “I guessed it. However, i

seems to me that young man has quitenough friends to give him a shove herand there already. To begin with, there’sWisbech.”

“What would Wisbech do?”

“Not much.” And Acton smiledunderstandingly. “He means to let hi

nephew feel his own feet. He’s a sensibl



man. Then there’s that man Gordon frohe Bush, and it seems I’m to do my shareoo. Guess if I was Nasmyth, I’d sa

thank you,’ and go right ahead withouistening to one among the crowd of us.”

“That,” Mrs. Acton said, “isn’t quite th

question. I think I pointed out what expect from you.”

Acton’s eyes twinkled. “You did,” heassured her. “I’ll try to set things in trai

he first time I go down to the city.”

This was somewhat vague, but Mrs. Actowas satisfied. Nevertheless, she sai

nothing to Nasmyth on the subject, annext afternoon he left Bonavista foVictoria. A day or two later he called byappointment at the office of a certain lan

exploitation agency, and found Hutto



waiting for him. Hutton, who sat with hielbows on the table, pointed to a chair.

“You have taken my view of the thing?” hsaid in a questioning tone. “If you’ll sidown a minute, I’ll call my clerk in, anhe’ll get the papers ready.”

asmyth smiled. “I don’t think you neerouble to do that just yet. You see,

haven’t the least intention of closing wityour offer.”

t is just possible that Hutton had expectehis, but, in any case, he betrayed n

astonishment. He leaned forward

regarding his visitor with an almosexpressionless face.

“Then,” he returned, “I’ll hear youproposition.”



“What do you think of the one I had thpleasure of making you some time ago?

asmyth inquired.

“Quite out of the question.”

asmyth smiled. “That,” he remarked, “in one sense a pity, as I couldn’t repeat i

o-day. If we are to do business together, should have to ask you for a considerablarger share of the profit. In fact, I wa

wondering if you could see your way t

offer half as much again.”

Hutton gazed at him with sardoniamusement. “Oh,” he replied, “ha

somebody left you a fortune, or are thegoing to run a railroad through thavalley?”

asmyth sat silent a moment or two, and i



happened that his easy indifference servehim tolerably well. Had he been a keeneman, the anxiety to get about his work i

he cañon, of which he was certainlsensible, might have led to his undoingbut he was not one who often errehrough undue precipitancy. The waitin

fight was, perhaps, the one for which hwas particularly adapted. If anything, hwas rather too much addicted to holdinout his hand, and he realized that ibehooves the man without capital to bparticularly wary in his negotiations withe one in possession of money. His recen

nterview with Violet Hamilton also had stirring effect on him, and now he saquietly prepared to hold his own.

“No,” he declared, “there has been n



particular change in my affairs. I havonly been thinking things over, and iseems to me I ought to get the terms

mentioned.”“Then you had better try. It won’t be froany of the accredited land agencies.”

asmyth noticed the faint ring in hicompanion’s voice. This, it seemed tohim, was not bluff. The man, he believedmeant what he said.

“You seem quite sure of it,” he observed.

As a matter of fact, Hutton was, but he felannoyed with himself.

“Well,” he said, “I naturally know whahey would think of any proposition likhe one you made me. Anyway, as

suggested, all you have to do is to tr



hem.”

Again Nasmyth, conscious that hicompanion was unobtrusively watchinhim, sat silent a moment or two. He knewhat if he broke with Hutton he might hav

considerable difficulty in raising th

money he required from any corporationterested in such matters in that city; buhe had also another plan in his mind. Hwas far from sure that the scheme woul

prove successful, and it was at leascertain that it would cost him a good deaof trouble to carry it out.

“Then I don’t think I need keep you anonger,” he told Hutton after a long pause

“I’ll leave the thing over for a day or twoand you can send across to my hotel if yo

wish to discuss it again.”



He rose and reached out for his hat, anHutton, who watched him cross the roomwas once or twice on the point of callin

him back. Hutton did not speak, howeversince he fancied that Nasmyth woulpresently return of his own accord–which was an expectation that prove

unwarranted.The office was on the second floor of big stone building, and, as he descende

he stairway, Nasmyth fancied he caughsight of Martial in the entrance-halBefore he could be quite sure, the maurned down a corridor, and Nasmyth

who did not trouble himself about thmatter, went out into the street. He was noaltogether satisfied that he had donwisely, but he meant, at least, to wait unti



events should prove him wrong.

A few minutes later, Martial strolled intohe office where Hutton sat, and smiled a

him suggestively. He was also, as Actonhad once told Nasmyth, interested in thand exploitation business, and it wa

evident that Hutton had expected him.“Nasmyth has been here,” Martiaobserved; “I saw him on the stairway. suppose you got hold of him?”

Hutton’s gesture was forcibly expressivof annoyance. “As a matter of fact, didn’t,” he confessed. “The man’s eithe

considerably smarter than I gave hic r e d i t for being, or a thick-headedobstinate fool. The one’s as hard to handlas the other. I don’t know which he is, and

t doesn’t greatly matter. The result’s the



same.”

“I guess it’s the latter;” and Martiaaughed. “Well, since you can’t come toerms, have you any notion what hi

programme is?”

“It’s not a sure thing that he has one

Anyway, he didn’t mention it. We’ll lehim wait a day or two. It’s quite likelhe’ll try the Charters people.”

Both of them smiled, for it was then not aunusual thing for the men interested isuch affairs to put their heads together anake a joint hand in any deal that seeme

o warrant it, and when they did so, thresults were not, as a rule, encouraging the outsider.

Martial looked at his comrad



suggestively.

“I had a talk with Charters yesterday,” hsaid. “He told me that if there waanything in it, he didn’t expect us to let thhing go.”

Hutton thought for a moment. “One coul

sell quite a few ranches in the valley; but’s going to cost considerable to run th

water out, and I can’t quite put my hand oanybody I’d feel like trusting with th

work in the cañon. It’s going to bdifficult. Besides, Nasmyth has what yomight call a first option on the land

obody else seems to want it, and thCrown people have evidently given waon a point or two. It’s a sure thing they’dmake no concession if we show ou

hands.” He broke off for a moment, an



flung a quick glance at his visitor. “Youdon’t like the man?”

“I don’t,” said Martial––“that’s a solidfact. Still, it’s not going to count for muchThis”––and he waved his hand––“is matter of business.”

He sat still for a moment or two, with curious look in his face; for he had calleat the hotel Acton’s party had visited onhe night that he had endeavoured to craw

unobserved on board the Tillicum. He hano difficulty in discovering that MrsActon and Miss Hamilton had spent thnight there, which made it evident that thgirl could not have been on board thsteamer. He had, however, not made thenquiries until business took him to th

hotel several weeks afterwards, an



Acton’s manner, when they met in the cityconvinced him that the schooner men habeen communicative. On thinking th

matter over, it became clear that Nasmythand the skipper had played a trick on himand, since it had cost him Mrs. Acton’good-will, without which he could no

approach Miss Hamilton, he cherished bitter grievance against Nasmyth.

“Well,” he inquired, “in case he tries to

raise the money elsewhere, what do yosuggest?”

“I guess we’ll let him try,” answeredHutton. “He’s not going to raise mucwhen things are humming and every mawith capital is putting it into mines anmills. Besides, the work in the cañon’

evidently a big undertaking, and it’s goin



o run into a long bill for labour. A thingof that kind usually costs four times amuch as the man who starts it figures

Well, we’ll leave him to it, and when himoney runs out we’ll chip in.”

Martial laughed. “That’s very much m

notion. Let him do the work, and then jumn and put up our dummies to locate all thand he can’t take hold of. Once we get

ranch or two recorded, there would be

dozen ways we could get a grip on himBetween us and Charters, we ought tbreak him.”

They smiled at each other, but in a momenor two Hutton looked thoughtful again.

“You want to understand,” he said, “it’not my business to break Nasmyth. It’s th

money I’m out for. In fact, if there’s an



easier way than the one I suggested, I’going to take it; and with that in view, I’lsend up a man or two I can rely on t

nvestigate.”



“If they get crawling round that cañon anup and down the valley, it will set thblame settlers talking. We want the thing

run quietly,” Martial cautioned.“I guess it can be done,” replied Hutton“They’ll go camping out for pleasure. I

fact, to make the thing more like it, I’lsend them fishing.” Martial rose“Anyway,” he said, “I’ll leave it with yon the meanwhile.”



CHAPTER XXI

THE MEN OF THE BUSH

A cool shadow fell upon the descendinrail that wound in among the towerin

firs, and Nasmyth checked his jaded horsas he entered on the last league of his lonride from the railroad. The red dust hasettled thick upon his city clothes, and fo

he first time he found the restraint of therksome. The band of his new hat haightened unpleasantly about his forehead

and in scrambling up the side of the las

high ridge which he had crossed, on



neatly-fitting boot had galled his foowhile he smiled with somewhat sinisteamusement as he felt the grip of the tigh

acket on his shoulders. These were, as hrecognized, petty troubles, and he warather astonished that he should resenhem, as he certainly did. He remembere

hat a little while before he had made ncomplaint against the restraints ocivilization, and had, indeed, begun tshrink from the prospect of going back the untrammelled life of the wilderness.

But, as he straightened himself in hisaddle and gazed down the deep valle

hrough which the trail twisted, he felt thshrinking melt away. After all, there wasomething in the wilderness that appealeo him. There was vigour in the clea



smell of it, and the little breeze that fannehis face was laden with the scent of thfirs. The trees rolled away before him i

sombre battalions that dwindled far up throcky sides of the enfolding hills, and herand there a flood of sunlight that struck ihrough the openings fell in streams o

burning gold upon their tremendous trunksBeyond them the rugged heights rose, mason mass, against the western sky.

He rode into the shadow, and, though hhought of her, it was curious that VioleHamilton seemed to become less real thim as he pushed on down the valley. H

vaguely felt that he could not carry hewith him into the wilderness. She was part of the civilization upon which he haonce more, for a time at least, turned hi



back, and he could not fit her into thenvironment of that wild and rugged landndeed, he remembered with

compassionate tenderness how she hashrunk from it and clung to him––forlorn, bedraggled object, in her tatteredress––the day they floundered through th

dripping Bush, and he subconsciouslbraced himself for conflict as he thoughof it. The sooner his work was over, thsooner he could go back to her; but therwas, as he remembered, a great deal to baccomplished first.

Wrapped in thought as he was, he wa

surprised when he saw a faint blue clouof wood-smoke trailing out athwart thsombre firs in the hollow beneath himThen two figures became visible, movin



upwards along the strip of trail, and hdrove the jaded horse forward as hrecognized them. He lost sight of them fo

a few minutes as he turned aside to avoia swampy spot, but when he had left ibehind they were close ahead in thmiddle of the trail, and it was with a thril

of pleasure that he swung himself stifflfrom the saddle.

With a smile on his bronzed face, Gordon

stood looking at him. Gordon was dressen soil-stained garments of old blue duckwith a patch cut from a cotton flour-bag oone of them. Laura Waynefleet stood a

ittle nearer, and there was also welcome in her eyes. Nasmyth noticehow curiously at home she seemed amidshat tremendous colonnade of towerin



runks. He shook hands with her, but iwas Gordon who spoke first.

“You have come back to us. We have beeexpecting you,” he said. “After all, storclothes and three well-laid meals a daare apt to pall on one.”

asmyth turned to Laura. “I should like tpoint out that this is the man who urged mo go,” he said. “One can’t count on him.”

“Oh, yes,” admitted Gordon, “I certainldid urge you, but I guess I knew what thresult would be. It was the surest way oquieting you. Anyway, you don’t seem

sorry to be back again?”asmyth glanced at Laura.

“No,” he said; “in some respects I’m ver

glad.”



He became suddenly self-conscious as hsaw Gordon’s significant smile. Isuggested that he had, perhaps, made to

great an admission, and he wondered fohe first time, with a certain uneasiness

whether Gordon had mentioned MisHamilton to Laura, and, if that was th

case, what Miss Waynefleet thought abouhe subject.

Laura talked to him in her old friendl

fashion as they walked on towards thsettlement, until Gordon broke in.

“I’ve called the boys together, as yosuggested, and fixed up the meeting for tonight,” he said. “They’ll be ready to givyou a hearing, after supper, in the hotel.”

Laura left them on the outskirts of th

settlement, and Gordon, stopping



moment, looked hard at Nasmyth.

“I suppose you pledged yourself to thagirl at Bonavista before you came away?he said.

“I did,” Nasmyth admitted.

Gordon was silent for a moment or two“Of course, I partly expected it,” hobserved. “In fact, when I was talking tMiss Waynefleet about you, I ventured to

predict something of the kind.”The two men looked at each other for moment, and then Nasmyth smiled.

“You haven’t anything else to say,” hesuggested.

“No,” answered Gordon,––“at leastnothing that’s very material. Anyway, unti



we’re through with the business we havon hand, you’ll have to put that girl righout of your mind.”

They went on towards the little woodehotel, and Nasmyth felt unusuallhoughtful as he walked beside his jade

horse. He recognized that his comrade’ast observation was more or leswarranted, and it was to some extent relief to him when they reached th

veranda stairway and Gordon led thhorse away toward the stables.

t was rather more than an hour later whea specially invited company of men whhad, as they said, a stake in the districassembled in the big general room of thhotel. There was about a dozen of them

men of different birth and upbringing



hough all had the same quiet brown faceand steadiness of gaze. For the most parthey were dressed in duck, thoug

Waynefleet and the hotel-keeper wore cityclothes. The room was barely furnishedand panelled roughly with cedar-boardsbut it had wide casements, from whic

hose who sat in it could look out upon strip of frothing river and the sombrforest that rolled up the rocky hills. Thwindows were wide open, and the smelof wood-smoke and the resinous odours ohe firs flowed in. A look of expectancy

crept into the men’s faces, and the murmu

of their conversation suddenly fell awaywhen Nasmyth sat down at the head of thong table with Gordon at one side of him

“Boys,” said Nasmyth, “one or two of yo



know why Gordon asked you here to meeme, but I had better roughly explain mproject before I go any further. I’ll ask yo

o give me your close attention for the nexhree or four minutes.”

When he stopped speaking there was

very suggestive silence for a momenThose who heard him had not the quicemperament of the men of the Western

cities. They lived in the stillness of th

Bush, and thought before they undertooanything, though, when they moved, it wausually to some purpose. One of the mestood up with a deprecatory gesture.

“Well,” he declared, “it’s a great ideaBoys, wouldn’t you call us blame foolfor not thinking of it before?”

He sat down suddenly, before anybod



answered him, and the men were stilagain until another of them rose.

“Nasmyth’s not quite through yet,” he said“We’ll ask him to go ahead.”

Gordon leaned forward, and touched hicomrade’s arm.

“Pitch it to them strong. You’re gettinghold,” he whispered encouragingly.

For another five minutes Nasmyth spok

as he felt that he had never spoken beforeHe was intent and strung up, and he knewhat a great deal depended upon the effec

he could make. He had failed with the me

of the cities, who wanted all the profit. Hfelt sure that he would henceforward havone or two of them against him, and it waclear that he must either abandon hi



project or win over these hard-handemen of the Bush. With them behind himhere was, he felt, little that he need shrin

from attempting. A ring crept into hivoice as he went on, for he knew that hwas getting hold as he saw their lips seand the resolute expression of their eyes

They were men who, by strenuous toiwrung a bare living out of the forest, annow there was laid before them a schemhat in its sheer daring seized upon thei

attention.

“Boys,” Nasmyth concluded, “I am in youhands. This thing is too big for me to g

nto alone. Still, it’s due to you to say thatwhile I meant to give you an option ostanding in, it seemed to me it woulsimplify the thing if I raised most of th



money before I came to you. Money iusually scarce in the Bush.”

“That’s a fact,” agreed the shrewd-facedhotel-keeper, who also conducted thstore. “Anyway, when you have to tradwith folks who take twelve months t

square up their bills in.”obody seemed to heed him, and Nasmyt

added:

“Well, I found I couldn’t do it––that is, if wanted to keep anything for myself. I wanyou to come in, and as soon as I heayou’re ready to give it your attention, I’l

ay a proposition before you.”He sat looking at them, in a state of tensanxiety, until one of them rose to his feet.

“I guess you can count upon every one o



us,” he announced.

A reassuring murmur ran along the doublrow of men, and Nasmyth felt a thrill oexultation.

“Thank you, boys,” he said with evidengratitude. “Now, there are difficulties to

be grappled with. To begin with, theCrown authorities would sooner haveased the valley to me, and it was somime before they decided that as a specia

concession they would sell it in sihundred and forty acre lots at the lowesfigure for first-class lands. The lots are tbe laid off in rectangular blocks, and ahe valley is narrow and winding, thaakes in a proportion of heavy timber ohe hill bench, and will not include quite

strip of natural prairie, which remain



with the Crown. The cost of the land alonruns close on twenty thousand dollars, owhich, one way or another, I can rais

about eight thousand.”He looked at Wheeler, who sat near thower end of the table, and he nodded.

“My offer stands,” he said.“You want another twelve thousanddollars,” said the hotel-keeper dubiously

“It’s quite a pile of money.”There was a little laughter from the men“Well,” said one of them, “I guess we canraise it somehow among us, but it’s goin

o be a pull.”

“Then,” said Nasmyth, “we have providefor the cost of the land, but before w

ower the fall and cut the drainag



renches in the valley we will run up a bibill––that is, if we hire hands. My notios that we undertake the work ourselves

and credit every man with his share in it tcount as a mortgage on the whole land thabelongs to us.”

Waynefleet stood up and waved his hand“I want to point out that this is vervague,” he objected. “The question wilarise where the labour is to be applied. I

would, for instance, be scarcely judiciouo give a man a claim on everybody elsfor draining his own land.”

He would have said more, but that Tom oMattawa laid a hard hand on his shouldeand jerked him back into his chair.

“Now,” Tom admonished, “you just si

down. When Nasmyth takes this thing i



hand he’ll put it through quite straightWhat you’d do in a month wouldn’t counfor five dollars, anyway.”

Everybody laughed, and Wheeler spokagain. “We’ll get over that trouble bycutting so many big trenches only for th

general benefit. In the meanwhile Mrasmyth said something about trustees.”

“I did,” said Nasmyth. “The Crown wilsell in rectangular six hundred and fort

acre blocks. My proposition is that wake them up in three separate names. You

have to understand that the man whregisters in the Crown deed is legaowner.”

“Then we’re sure of two of them,declared the hotel-keeper. “Nasmyth take

he first block, and Wheeler the other.”



Wheeler laughed. “I guess I stand out. Aa United States citizen, I’m not sure I’eligible to record Crown lands. Still

since Nasmyth and I are putting up a goomany of the dollars, I’ll nominatGordon.”

As one man they decided on that, but therappeared to be a difficulty about the thirrustee until Nasmyth turned to them.

“As you don’t seem sure about him,

would like to suggest Mr. Waynefleetboys,” he said. “He is a man who has aextensive acquaintance with business anegal affairs.”

There was dead silence for severamoments, and the men looked at onanother uneasily. It was evident that th

suggestion was unwelcome to most o



hem, and Nasmyth was quite aware thahe was doing an unpopular thing. In thmeanwhile dusk had crept up the valley

and the room was growing dim. PerhapWaynefleet could not see his companionsfaces very well, but it is also possiblhat, had he been able to do so, he woul

not have troubled himself about thhesitation in most of them. There are meof his kind who appear incapable orecognizing the fact that they are noregarded with general favour.

Finally one of the men spoke. “Seeing thahe scheme is Nasmyth’s, I guess it’s only

reasonable to fall in with his views as faas we can,” he said. “We’ll fix onWaynefleet.”

There was a murmur of very dubiou



agreement, and Waynefleet, who stood upsmiled on the assembly patronizingly. Himanner suggested that he was about t

confer a favour.“Our friend was warranted in mentioninhat I have been accustomed to handlin

affairs of a somewhat similar nature, buof considerably greater magnitude,” hsaid. “I have pleasure in placing whaabilities I possess at your disposal

gentlemen.”Though it was growing dark, Nasmyth sawhe amused light in Gordon’s eyes. “I’

with you in this,” said Gordon. “Still, scarcely figured the boys would havstood him.”

They discussed the scheme at length, an

when the assembly broke up, Wayneflee



approached the table where Gordonasmyth and Wheeler sat under a bi

amp.

“There is a point I did not mention at thime. It seemed to me it was one tha

could, perhaps, be arranged,” sai

Waynefleet. “It is, of course, usual for adirector of any kind to hold a certaifinancial interest in the scheme.”

He looked at Nasmyth, and made

significant gesture. “Unfortunately therare not at the moment more than a ver few dollars at my disposal. The fact, yowill recognize, is likely to hamper mefforts in an administrative capacity.”

“Precisely!” said Nasmyth. “It is a matte have provided for. You will be placed i

possession of a holding of the size th



others fixed upon as convenient when thblocks are divided off.”

“No larger?”

“No,” answered Nasmyth; “I am afraiyou will have to be content with that.”

Waynefleet went out, and Gordon turnedo Nasmyth. “It’s going to cost yo

something,” he said. “You can’t charge ion the scheme. I’ll divide it with you.”

There was a slight restraint in Nasmyth’manner. “I’m afraid I can’t permit it. Iwill be charged against my claimConsidering everything, it was a thing

felt I had to do.”

Then Wheeler, who had been quietlwatching them, broke in.



“What did you put that image up foranyway?” he asked.

Gordon smiled in a significant fashion“It’s our friend’s affair, and I guess he’snot going to tell you why he did it. Still, ione sense, I ’most think it was up to him.”

Wheeler let the matter drop, and in a fewmore minutes they went out, and Nasmytand Gordon turned into the trail that led tGordon’s ranch.



CHAPTER XXII

NASMYTH SETS TO WORK

t was a scorching afternoon on the heightabove, where rocky slope and climbinfirs ran far up towards the blue heavenunder a blazing sun, but it was dim ancool in the misty depths of the cañonThere was eternal shadow in tha

remendous rift, and a savage desolatiorolled away from it; but on this afternoohe sounds of human activity rang along it

dusky walls. The dull thud of axes fel

from a gully that rent the mountain-side



and now and then a mass of shattered roccame crashing down, while the sharpclinking of the drills broke intermittentl

hrough the hoarse roar of the fall. Wewith the spray of the fall, Nasmythstripped to blue shirt and old ducrousers, stood swinging a heavy hammer

which he brought down upon the head ohe steel bar that his companion held s

many times a minute with rhythmiprecision. Though they changed rounnow and then, he had done much the samhing since early morning, and his bac

and arms ached almost intolerably; bu

still the great hammer whirled about hihead, and while he gasped with the effortcame down with a heavy jar upon thdrill. So intent was he that he did no

notice the three figures scrambling alon



he narrow log-work staging pinneagainst the rocky side above the fall, untihis companion flung a word at him

Turning with a start, he dropped hihammer.

He saw Gordon hold out a hand to Laur

Waynefleet, who sprang down from thestaging upon the strip of smooth-worstone that stretched out from the wall ohe cañon above the fall. Wheeler was

few paces behind them. Nasmyth lookearound for his jacket, and, rememberinhat he had left it in the gully, he moved

forward to shake hands with his visitors.

“I scarcely expected to see any of yohere. You must have had a hardscramble,” he said.

Gordon waved his hand. “You don’t say



you’re pleased, though after the troublwe’ve taken, it’s a sure thing that youought to be,” he declared. “Anyway, I’

not going back up that gully until I’ve hasupper. Wheeler’s held up because hifolks haven’t sent him some machines, an

came along to see if I’d forgotten how t

hold a drill. I don’t quite know what MisWaynefleet came for.”

Laura laughed good-humouredly. “Oh,

she said, “I have my excuse. My father iat Victoria, and I have been staying witMrs. Potter for a day or two. She lent me cayuse to ride over to Fenton’s ranch, and

he trail there leads close by the head ohe gully.”

Mattawa looked up at Gordon with a grin

“If you want to do some drilling, you ca



start right now,” he remarked. “Guesasmyth doesn’t know he has a back o

him.”

Gordon took up the hammer, and, wheWheeler went back to the gully to inquirwhether one of the men at work ther

would undertake some timber-squaring hwanted done at the mill, Laura Waynefleeand Nasmyth were left together. It wawetter than was comfortable near the fal

and, scrambling back across the staginghey sat down among the boulders near thfoot of the rapid that swirled out of thpool. Nasmyth looked at Laura, wh

smiled.“I am afraid I have taken you away froyour work, and I haven’t Gordon’

excuse,” she said. “He, at least, is able t



drill.”

asmyth laughed. “I observe that Tomseems very careful of his hands,” hreturned. “As to the other matter, I avery glad you did come. After all, drillinsn’t exactly a luxurious occupation; an

while, as Tom remarked, I’m a littleuncertain about my back, I’m quite sur’m in possession of a pair of arms

because they ache abominably

Besides”––and his gaze was whimsicallreproachful––“do you really think anexcuse is needed for coming to see me?”

“In any case, I have one; there isomething I want to say. You see, I havenot come across you since the meeting ahe settlement.”

“I suppose you object to your father takin



any share in our crazy venture?”

A faint flicker of colour crept into Laura’cheek. “You know I don’t,” she replied“It is the one thing I could have wished fohim; indeed, I shall be thankful if he takea sustaining interest in the scheme, as h

seems disposed to do. It will be of benefio him in many ways. He grows moodand discontented at the ranch.”

She broke off for a moment, and her voic

had changed when she went on again“There is one point that troubles me––yoprovided my father with the money to takhis share in the venture.”

“No,” explained Nasmyth; “I think I casay that I didn’t. I have merely set aparfor him so many acres of swamp an

virgin forest. He will have to earn his titl



o them by assisting in what we may calhe administration, as well as by physicaabour.”

Laura looked at Nasmyth with quiet eyes“Would you or Gordon consider it a goodbargain to part with a single acre for al

he advice he can offer you?” she asked.asmyth sat silent a moment, gravel

regarding her. There was a little morcolour in her face, but her composure an

her fearless honesty appealed to him. Shwas attired very plainly in a print dressmade, as he knew, by her own fingers. Thgown had somehow escaped serioudamage in the scramble down the gully. Iharmonized with the pale-tinted stone, ant seemed to him that its wearer fitte

curiously into her surroundings. He ha



noticed this often before, and it haoccurred to him that she had acquiresomething of the strength an

unchangeableness of the wildernessPerhaps she had, though it is also possiblhat the quiet steadfastness had been born her, and perfected slowly under stres

and strain.“Well,” Nasmyth broke out impulsively“if it had been you to whom we made tha

block over, I could have abdicated witconfidence and have left it all to you.”

Laura smiled, and Nasmyth becamsensible that his face had grown a deepered.

“Whatever made you say that?” she asked

“I don’t quite know.” Nasmyth’s manne



was deprecatory. “After all, it’s hardlyfair to hold a man accountable foeverything he may chance to say. Anyway

think I meant it.”Something in his voice suggested that hwas of the same mind still, but Laur

glanced at him again.“Aren’t we getting away from thsubject?” she queried. “The land yomade over to my father must have cost yo

something. It is a thing I rather shrink fromentioning, but have you any expectatioof ever getting the money back?”

asmyth did not exactly understand, untia considerable time afterwards, why hwas so deeply stirred by what she hasaid, and he was quite mistaken i

fancying that it was merely her courag



hat touched his heart. In the meanwhilehe was clearly sensible of at least a greapity for her.

“Well,” he told her, “we can look at thingopenly, and not try to persuade ourselvehat they’re something else. I think that i

one of the things that you have taught meow, suppose I haven’t any expectation ohe kind you mention. How does tha

count? Didn’t you take me in when yo

found me lying in the snow? Isn’t ipractically certain that I owe my life tyou? Admitting all that, is there any reasowhy you shouldn’t permit me to offer yo

a trifling favour, not for your own sakebut your father’s?”

He broke off for a moment with a forcefu

gesture. “I might, no doubt, hav



suppressed all this and made somconventional answer, but, you see, one hao be honest with you. Can you persuad

yourself that I don’t know what you havo bear at the ranch, and how your father’

moody discontent must burden you? Isn’t iclear that if he takes an interest in thi

project and forgets to worry about hiittle troubles, it will make life easier fo

both of you?”

Laura looked at him curiously. “After allt is my life. Why should you be sanxious to make it easier?”

The question troubled Nasmyth. It seemeo go beyond the reason he had offered he

a moment or two earlier. Indeed, it flasheupon him that the fact that he certainl

owed a good deal to her was not in itsel



quite sufficient to account for the anxiethe felt.

“Well,” he answered, “if the grounds mentioned don’t appear to warrant mdoing what I did, I can’t at the momenhink of anything more convincing. It’s on

consolation that you couldn’t upset thittle arrangement now, if you wanted toYour father’s going into the thingheadlong.”

Somewhat to his astonishment the girappeared embarrassed as she glanceaway from him. It was a moment or twbefore she looked around again.

“Ah!” she exclaimed, “I don’t want tupset it. He has not been so well ancontented for several years. It has lifte

him out of his moodiness.” Then sh



eaned a little toward him. “I dare norefuse this favour from you.”

asmyth was puzzled by a vagusomething in her manner.

“I certainly can’t see why you should wano; but we’ll talk of something else,” h

replied. “As you have noticed, I have seo work, though I expect it will be winte

before we make any very greampression.”

Laura glanced up the gloomy cañon, whicwas filled with the river’s clammydrifting mist. “Winter,” she said, “will be

errible here. Then you are not going baco the coast or Victoria for some time?”

“Certainly not, if I can help it.”

asmyth spoke without reflection, but h



felt what he said, and it was a momenbefore he realized that he might havexpressed himself less decisively. He saw

he smile on Laura’s lips.“So you have heard?” he asked. “Therwas, of course, no reason why Gordo

shouldn’t have told you. It was a thing had meant to do myself, only, as ihappened, I haven’t seen you. After thaast speech of mine, I must explain that

feel there is a certain obligation on me tstay away. Miss Hamilton, as a matter ofact, is not engaged to me. Nothing can bsettled until I carry out this projec

successfully.”Laura Waynefleet’s face was very quietand he sat silent a moment or two

wondering somewhat uneasily what sh



was thinking. He was also slightlsurprised at himself, for he realized thatafter all, he had found it considerabl

easier to stay away than he had expectedndeed, during the last few weeks, whe

every moment of his time had beeoccupied, he had thought of nothing excep

he work before him. It occurred to hifor the first time that it was curious that hhad been able to do so.

“You see,” he made haste to explain, “inhe meanwhile I must endeavour to pueverything except this scheme out of mmind.”

Again he was troubled by LaurWaynefleet’s little smile.

“Yes,” she said; “in one way, no doubt

hat would be the wisest course. I’m no



sure, however, that everybody would havsufficient strength of will.”

asmyth said nothing further for a whilebut––though he was probably not aware ohis––his face grew thoughtful as he gaze

at the river until his companion spok

again.“Was it Miss Hamilton’s wish that youshould make your mark first?” shnquired.

“No,” answered Nasmyth decisively; “want you to understand that it was mineShe merely concurred in it.”

He changed the subject abruptly. “Tell meabout yourself.”

“There is so little to tell. One day is s

much like another with me, only I hav



been rather busier than usual lately. Mfather has had to cut down expenses. Wehave no hired man.”

asmyth set his lips and half-consciouslclosed one hand. It seemed to him aalmost intolerable thing that this gir

should waste her youth and sweetnesdragging out a life of unremitting toil ihe lone Bush. Still, while her father livedhere was nothing else she could loo

forward to, and he could imagine how thong colourless years would roll awawith her, while she lost her freshness andgrew hard and worn with petty cares an

abour that needed a stronger arm thahers. She might grow discontented, hfancied, and perhaps a trifle bitter, thoughhe could not imagine her becomin



querulous.

As yet there was a great patience in hesteady eyes. Then it became evident thashe guessed what he was thinking.

“Sometimes I feel the prospect in front ome is not a very attractive one,” sh

responded in answer to his thoughts“Still, one can get over that by noregarding it as a prospect at all. Isimplifies the thing when one takes it da

by day.”

She smiled at him. “Derrick, you havdone wisely. I think you need a sustainin

purpose and a woman to work for.”asmyth’s face paled. “Yes,” he agreed

dryly; “it is, perhaps, rather a significanadmission, but I really think I do.”



t was a relief to both of them thaWheeler came floundering along thshingle just then with a box and a coil o

wire in his hand.“I’ve brought you a little present

asmyth,” he announced. “Firing by fus

s going to be uncertain when there’s somuch spray about, and I sent down for thielectric fixing. We can charge it for you aany time at the mill. Have you put in an

giant-powder yet?”asmyth said they had not fired a heav

charge about the fall, but that there werseveral holes ready for filling, anWheeler’s eyes twinkled.

“I’m quite anxious to try this little toy,” hsaid. “When I was young, a rancher gav

me an old played-out shot-gun, and I wa



out at sun-up next morning to shoosomething. That’s the kind of being a mas, Miss Waynefleet. Put any kind o

bottled-up power in his hands, and hfeels he must get up and make a bang witt. After all, I guess it’s fortunate that he

does.”

“Are all men like that?” Laura asked wita strange undertone in her voice.

“Most of them,” said Wheeler, with an ai

of reflection. “Of course, you do ruacross one here and there who would puhe bottled power carefully away for feahat, when it went off, it might hurt him o

somebody. The trouble is that when a maof that kind at last makes up his mind tuse it he’s quite likely to find that th

power has gradually leaked out of th



bottle. Power’s a very curious thing. Iyou don’t use it, it has a way oevaporating.”

Gordon had joined them in the meanwhileand Laura looked at him.

“You agree with that?” she asked.

Gordon’s smile was suggestively grim“Oh, yes,” he said. “I guess our friennow and then says some rather forcefu

hings. Anyway, he has hit it with this oneFor instance, there was that little matter ohe man who was sick at his mill. A

surgeon with nerve and hands could hav

fixed him up. We”––and he made anexpressive gesture––“packed him out tVictoria.”

He laughed harshly as he went on: “Well



hat’s partly why we’re going to set oumark on this cañon, if it’s only to make iclear that we’re not quite played out ye

You’ll ram that hole full of your strongespowder, Derrick.”

asmyth turned and waved his hand to

man at the foot of the gully.“Bring me down the magazine!” hordered. “We’re going to split that rockbefore supper.”

The man, who disappeared, came bacagain with an iron box, and for the nexfew minutes Nasmyth, who scramble

about the rocks above the fall, taking coil of thin wire with him, was busyWhen he rejoined his companions, he lehem a little further down the cañon unti

he pointed to a shelf of rock from whic



hey had a clear view of the fall. Ahandful of men had clambered down thgully, and now they stood in a cluster upo

he strip of shingle. Nasmyth indicatehem with a wave of his hand before h

held a little wooden box with brass pegprojecting from it up to Laura.

“It’s the first big charge we have firedand they seem to feel it’s something of aevent,” he said. “In one way, it’s a

declaration of war we’re making, anhere is a good deal against us. You fit thisplug into the socket when you’re ready.”

“You mean me to fire the charge?”nquired Laura.

“Yes,” answered Nasmyth quietly. “It’sfitting that you should be the one to set u

at our work. If it hadn’t been for you,



should certainly not have taken this thinup, and now I want to feel that you aranxious for our success.”

A faint flush of colour crept into LaurWaynefleet’s face. For one thing

asmyth’s marriage to the dark-eyed gir

whom Gordon had described to hedepended on the success of this ventureand that was a fact which had its effect oher. Still, she felt, the scheme would hav

greater results than that, and, turningravely, she glanced at the men who hadgathered upon the shingle. They lookevery little and feeble as they clustere

ogether, in face of that almosoverwhelming manifestation of the greaprimeval forces against which they hapitted themselves in the bottom of th



remendous rift. It seemed curious thahey did not shrink from the roar of th

river which rang about them in sonorou

ones, and then, as she looked across thmad rush of the rapid and the sprayshrouded fall to the stupendous walls orock that shut them in, the thing they ha

undertaken seemed almost impossibleWheeler appeared to guess her thoughtsfor he smiled as he pointed to the duckclad figures.

“Well,” he declared, “in one way they’rean insignificant crowd. Very little to lookat; and this cañon’s big. Still, I gues

hey’re somehow going through with thhing. It seems to me”––and he nodded t

her with sudden recognition of her part ihe project––“it was a pretty idea o



asmyth’s when he asked you to starhem at it.”

Laura remembered that the leader of thmen had once said that he belonged to herShe smiled, and raised the hand that helhe firing key.

“Boys,” she said, “it’s a big thing yohave undertaken––not the getting of thmoney, but the beating of the river, and theraising of tall oats and orchards wher

only the sour swamp-grasses grew.” Shurned and for a moment looked intasmyth’s eyes, as she added simply

“Good luck to you.”

She dropped her hand upon the little boxand in another moment or two a renopened in the smooth-worn stretch of roc

above the fall. Out of it there shot a blaz



of light that seemed to grow in brilliancwith incredible swiftness, until it spreatself apart in a dazzling corruscation

Then the roar of the river was drowned ihe detonation, and long clouds of smok

whirled up. Through the smoke rosshowers of stones and masses of leapin

rock that smote with a jarring crash upohe walls of the cañon. After that came

great splashing that died away suddenlyand there was only the hoarse roar of thriver pouring through the newly openegap. Laura turned and handed the box t

asmyth.

“Now,” she said, “I have done my partand I am only sorry that it is such a triflinone.”

asmyth looked at her with a gleam in hi



eyes.

He answered softly: “You are behind iall. It is due to you that I am making somattempt to use the little power in mpossession, instead of letting it melaway.”



CHAPTER XXIII

THE DERRICK

A bitter frost had crept down from thsnow-clad heights that shut the cañon inand the roar of the river had fallen to ower tone, when Nasmyth stood on

morning shivering close by the door of hirude log shanty at the foot of the gully. Th

faint grey light was growing slightlclearer, and he could see the clusterinspruces, in the hollow, gleam spectrallwhere their dark masses were streake

with delicate silver filigree. Across th



river there was a dull glimmer from thwall of rock, which the freezing spray hacovered with a glassy crust. Though it ha

not been long exposed to the nippinmorning air, Nasmyth felt his damp deerhide jacket slowly stiffening, and the edgof the sleeves, which had been we

hrough the day before, commenced trasp his raw and swollen wrists.

He stood still for a minute or two listenin

o the river and stretching himself wearilyfor his back and shoulders ached, anhere was a distressful stiffness in most o

his joints that had resulted from exposure

n spray-drenched clothing, to the stinginfrost. This, however, did not greatlrouble him, since he had long realizehat physical discomfort must b



disregarded if the work was to be carrieon. Men, for the most part, toil strenuousln that wild land. Indeed, it is only by th

ensest effort of which flesh and blood arcapable that the wilderness is broken tman’s domination, for throughout much ot costly mechanical appliances have no

as yet displaced well-hardened muscle.n most cases the Bushman who buys

forest ranch has scarcely any money lef

when he has made the purchase. He findhe land covered with two-hundred-feefirs, which must be felled, and sawn upand rolled into piles for burning by hi

own hand, and only those who havhandled trees of that kind can form anclear conception of the labour such worentails. It is a long time before the strip o



cleared land will yield a scantsustenance, and in the meanwhile thBushman must, every now and then, hir

himself out track-grading on the railroador chopping trails to obtain the money thakeeps him in tea and pork and flour. As arule, he expects nothing else, and there ar

imes when he does not get quite enougwork. Men reared in this fashion growhard and tireless, and Nasmyth had beecalled upon to lead a band of them. Hhad contrived to do it, so far, but it wanot astonishing that the toil had left a maron him.

He heard the drifting ice-cake crackle, at leapt the fall, and the sharp crash of i

upon the boulders in the rapid. It jarred ohe duller roar of the river in intermitten



detonations as each heavy mass swepdown. There was, however, no othesound, and seizing a hammer, he struck

suspended iron sheet until a voice felacross the pines from the shadowy gully.

“Guess we’ll be down soon as it’s ligh

enough,” it said.Then another voice rose from the shanty.

“The boys won’t see to make a start fo

half an hour,” it said. “I don’t know anreason why you shouldn’t shut the dooand come right in. Breakfast’s ready.”

asmyth turned and went into the shanty

conscious that it would cost him an efforo get out of it again. A stove snapped and

crackled in the one room, which wacosily warm. Gordon and Waynefleet sa



before the two big empty cases that servefor table, and Mattawa was ladling poron to their plates from a blackened frying

pan, Nasmyth sat down and ate hastilywhile the light from the lamp hanginbeneath the roof-beams fell upon his facewhich was gaunt and roughened by th

sting of bitter spray and frost. His handwere raw and cracked.

“I want to get that rock-dump hove out o

he pool before it’s dark,” he said. “Oncan’t see to crawl over those ice-crusterocks by firelight.”

Gordon glanced at Mattawa, who grinned“Well,” said Mattawa, “it was onlyyesterday when I fell in, and I figureCharly was going right under the fall th

day before. Oh, yes, I guess we’d bette



get the thing through while it’s light.”

“I have felt inclined to wonder if iwouldn’t be advisable to suspenoperations if this frost continues,” saiWaynefleet reflectively.

“Our charter lays it down that the work i

o be carried on continuously,” answeredGordon. “Still, on due notice being givent permits a stoppage of not exceeding on

month, owing to stress of weather o

nsuperable natural difficulties. As matter of fact, even with the fire going, it’practically impossible to keep the frosout of the stone.”

asmyth looked up sharply. “The worgoes on. There will be no stoppage of ankind. We can’t afford it. The thing already

has cost us two or three times as much as



had anticipated.”

Gordon looked amused, though he sainothing further. Nasmyth was up against itwith his back to the wall, but that fact haroused all the resolution there was in himand he had shown no sign of flinching. I

was evident that he must fight or faignominiously, and he had grown grimmeand more determined as each fresobstacle presented itself while th

strenuous weeks rolled on. There wasilence for a few minutes, and theMattawa grinned at Waynefleet.

“I guess you’ve got to keep that rock frofreezing, and the fire was kind of lowwhen I last looked out,” he remarked.

With a frown of resignation Wayneflee

rose wearily and went out, for it was hi



part to keep a great fire going day annight. This was one of the few things hcould do, and, though it entailed a goo

deal of sturdy labour with the axe, he hadsomewhat to his comrades’ astonishmentaccomplished it reasonably well. Ianother minute or two Nasmyth followe

him, and when the rest of the men camclattering down from the shanty, higher uphe gully, they set to work.

There was just light enough to see by, andno more, for, though the frost was bitterheavy snow-clouds hung about the hillsShingle and boulders were covered wit

frozen spray, and long spears of icstretched out into the pool below the fal

ow and then a block of ice drovathwart them with a detonating crackle



The pool was lower than it had been isummer, and the stream frothed in angreddies in the midst of it, where shattere

masses of rock rent by the blasting chargeay as they had fallen. It was essential thahe rock should be cleared away, and

great redwood log with a rounded foot le

nto a socket swung by wire rope guyabove the pool. Another wire rope with pair of iron claws at the end of it ran ovea block at the head of the log to the wincbelow, and the primitive derrick and itfittings had cost Nasmyth a great deal omoney, as well as a week’s arduou

abour.They swung the apparatus over the pile osubmerged rock, and, when the claws felwith a splash, they hove at the winch, tw



of them at each handle, until a mass ostone rose from the stream. Then one guwas slackened, and another hauled upon

until the rock swung over the shinglacross the river, where they let it fall. Parof the growing pile would be used to builhe road by which they brought supplie

down the gully.n itself the work was arduous enough

since four men alone could toil at th

winch, and some of the masses they raisewere ponderous. Indeed, there wascarcely room for four persons on thshelf hewn out above the tail of the poo

and the narrow strip of stone was slipperwith ice. Fine spray that froze on all iouched whirled about the workers, an

every now and then a heavy fragment tha



slipped from the claws fell with a greasplash. Nasmyth’s wrists grew raw frohe rasp of the hide jacket, and wid

cracks opened in his fingers.“I remember it as cold as this only oncbefore,” he said. “It was during the few

days I spent between the logging camp anWaynefleet’s ranch.”

Mattawa, who hove on the same handlegrinned. “Well,” he said, “this is a

olerable sample of blame hard weathewhile it lasts, but we get months of it bacEast. Still, I guess we don’t work then

o, sir, unless we’re chopping, we siight round the stove.”

Mattawa was right in this. Excepting thoggers and the Northwest Police, men d

not work in the open at that temperatur



back East, nor would they attempt it on thPacific Slope were the cold continuous. Ihe western half of British Columbia

however, long periods of severe weatheare rare. It is a variable zone, swept nowand then by damp, warm breezes, and meell of sheltered valleys where flower

blow the year round, though very few ohose who ramble up and down th

Mountain Province ever chance upohem. But there are times when th

devastating cold of the Polar regiondescends upon the lonely ranges, as it hadone upon the frost-bound cañon.

Those who toiled with Nasmyth werhardened men, and they held on witcracked hands clenched on the winchhandles, or they splashed through the ic



shallows with the water in their bootsuntil, a little before their dinner-hourwhen three of them stood straining b

asmyth’s side beneath the derrick as mass of rock rose slowly to the surface ohe pool. Mattawa glanced at this weigh

dubiously, and then up at the wire guy tha

gleamed with frozen spray high above hihead.

“I guess we’ve dropped on to a big on

his time,” he said. “She’s going to bheavier when we heave her clear of thriver.”

This, of course, was correct, and it waclear to Nasmyth that it was only by strenuous effort that his comrades werraising the stone then. Still, it must b

ifted, and he tightened his grasp upon th



handle.

“Heave! Lift her out!” he said.

The veins rose swollen on their foreheadsand they gasped as they obeyed him, but ahe stone rose dripping there was a

ominous creaking overhead.

“Guess she’s drawing the anchor-bolts,cried one. “We’ll fetch the whole thingdown. Shall I let her run?”

asmyth flung a sharp glance at the biron holdfast sunk in the rock above

There would, he knew, be trouble if thaor the wire guy gave way, but it was only

at some hazard that anything could be donn the cañon.

“Hold on!” he said hoarsely. “Slack tha

guy, and let her swing.”



There was a clink and jar as the clutcook the weight off them; a wire rope se

up a harsh rasping, and as Gordon jerke

a guiding-line across the river, the greaboom swung, trailing the heavy stone jusabove the water. Then the ominous creagrew sharper, and one of them shouted.

“Jump!” he said. “She’s going!”

Two of them sprang on the instant into thepool, and washed out with the cracklin

ce-cake into the rapid at the tail of it. Iwas precisely what most men who coulswim would have done, but Nasmytstayed, and Mattawa stayed with him

asmyth did not think very clearly, but hremembered subconsciously what thconstruction of that derrick had cost him

There was a lever which would releas



grey, except for a red scar down one sidof it. His eyes, however, were open, andMattawa gasped with relief when he hear

he injured man speak.“It cleared my body. I’m fast by the hand,said Nasmyth.

Three or four minutes had slipped bbefore the rest scrambled upon the ledgwith handspikes, and then it cost them determined effort before they moved th

redwood log an inch or two. Gordonkneeling by Nasmyth’s side, drew thcrushed arm from under it. Nasmyth raisehimself on one elbow, and lifted a red andpulpy hand that hung from the wrist. Witan effort that set his face awry, hstraightened it.

“I can move it,” he said. “I don’t know



dinner. We’ll see about heaving thederrick up when you’ve eaten.”

He went back and filled Nasmyth’s pipe.

“I expect it hurts,” he said.

asmyth nodded. “Yes,” he replied“quite enough.”

“Well,” said Gordon, “I don’t know that’s any consolation, but if you expose it ahis temperature, it’s going to hurt yo

considerably more. You can’t do anythingworth while with one hand, and that thone you don’t generally use, eitherThere’s a rip upon your face that may giv

you trouble, too. I’m going to pack you ouo-morrow.”

“The difficulty is that I’m not disposed t

go.”



“Your wishes are not going to beconsulted. If there’s no other way, I’lappeal to the boys. I’d let you stay if yo

were a reasonable man, and would liquiet beside the stove until that hand gobetter; but since it’s quite clear thanobody could keep you there, you’r

starting to-morrow for Waynefleet’ranch.”

Gordon turned to Waynefleet. “We’ll lay

you off for a week. There’s a littlbusiness waiting at the settlemenanyway, and you can see about getting thnew tools and provisions in.”

Waynefleet’s face was expressive of avast relief. The few bitter weeks spent ihe cañon had taken a good deal of th

keenness he had once displayed out o



him.

“I certainly think the arrangemensuggested is a very desirable one,” hagreed “I am quite sure that MisWaynefleet will have much pleasure inooking after Nasmyth.”

Gordon turned to Nasmyth. “Now,” hsaid, “you can protest just as much as yoike, but still, as you’ll start to-morrow i

we have to tie you on to the pack-horse

t’s not going to be very much use. Youcan nurse your hand for a week, and thego on to Victoria and see if you can picup a boring-machine of the kind we wancheap.”

asmyth, who was aware that the machinmust be purchased before very long

submitted with the best grace he could



and, though his hand was painful, hcontrived to sleep most of the afternoon

ow that he was disabled and could no

work, he began to feel the strain. He seout with Waynefleet at sunrise nexmorning, and they passed the dascrambling over the divide, and windin

n and out among withered fern anhickets as they descended a rocky valley

Here and there they found an easiepathway on the snow-sheeted reaches of frozen stream, and only left it to plungonce more into the undergrowth when thce crackled under them. They had a pack

horse with them, for now and then one ohe men made a laborious journey to thsettlement for provisions, and in places fallen tree had been chopped through or

hicket partly hewn away. That, however



did little to relieve the difficulties of thmarch, for the trail was rudimentary, andhe first two leagues of it would probabl

have severely taxed the strength of vigorous man unaccustomed to the Bush.

But they pushed on, Waynefleet riding

when it was possible, while Nasmytplodded beside the horse’s head, until cloud of whirling snow broke upon theas they floundered through a belt of thinne

Bush. The snow wrapped them in its filmfolds, gathering thick upon their garmentand filling their eyes, and Nasmyth grewanxious as the daylight suddenly died out

They were in a valley, out of which thecould not very well wander withouknowing it, and they stumbled onsmashing into thickets and swerving roun



fallen trees, until they struck a clearerail, and it was with relief that Nasmyt

saw a tall split-rail fence close in front o

him. He threw a strip of it down, and theurned to Waynefleet when he dimly made

out a blink of light in the whirling haze osnow.

“If you will go in and tell MisWaynefleet, I’ll try to put the horse up,” hsaid.

Waynefleet swung himself down stifflyand vanished into the snow. He was halfrozen, and it did not occur to him tha

asmyth had only one hand with which toose the harness. It is also possible tha

he would have made no protest if it had.

asmyth reached the stable, and contrive

o find and to light the lantern, but h



discovered that it would be difficult to danything more. His sound hand wanumbed. His fingers would not bend, an

he buckles of the harness held, in spite ohis efforts, but he persisted. The strugglhe was waging in the cañon had stirrehim curiously, and each fresh obstacl

roused him to a half-savage determinationThough the action sent a thrill of paihrough him, he laid his bound-up han

upon the headstall, and set his lips as hore at a buckle. He felt that if the thin

cost him hours of effort he would not bbeaten.

He had, however, let his hand fall bacnto the bandage that hung from his neck

when the door opened and LaurWaynefleet came in. She saw him leaning



against the side of the stall, with greyness in his face, which had an angrred scar down one side of it, and her eye

shone with compassion.“Sit down,” she said. “I will do that.”

asmyth, who straightened himself, shoo

his head. “I can manage it if you wiloose the buckles,” he said. “One feels ittle awkward with only one hand.”

They did it together, and then Nasmyth sadown, with his face drawn and linedLaura stood still a moment or two with thantern in her hand.

“The snow must be deep on the divideand it is a very rough trail. I suppose yowalked all the way?” she said.

asmyth contrived to smile. “As i



happens, I am used to it.”

There was a flash of indignation in thgirl’s eyes, for she had, after all, a spicof temper, and she was naturallacquainted with her father’s characterHer anger had, however, disappeared nex

moment.“You are looking ill,” she remarkedanxiously.

asmyth glanced down at the bandage“I’ve been working rather hard of lateand this hand is painful.” He made deprecatory gesture. “I don’t know wha

excuse to offer for troubling you. Gordonsisted on sending me.”

“You fancy I require one from you?”

asmyth looked at her with heavy eyes



“No,” he answered, “it is evident that yodon’t. After all, perhaps I shouldn’t havwished to make any excuse. It seems onl

natural that when I get hurt, or find myseln any trouble, I should come to you.”

He did not see the colour that crept int

her face, for his perceptions were noclear then; but he rose with an effort, anogether they went back to the houshrough the snow. There Nasmyth changed

his clothes for the dry garments he habrought in a valise strapped to the packsaddle, and an hour after supper he felquietly asleep in his chair. Then Laur

urned to her father.“You let him walk all the way when he iworn-out and hurt!” she said accusingly.

Waynefleet waved his hand. “He insisted



on it; and I would like to point out thahere is nothing very much the matter wit

him. We have all been working very hard

at the cañon; in fact, I quite fail tunderstand why you should be so mucmore concerned about him than yoevidently are about me. I am, however

quite aware that there would be no use imy showing that I resented it.”

Laura said nothing further. She felt tha

silence was wiser, for, after all, hepatience now and then almost failed her.



CHAPTER XXIV

REALITIES

Though there was bitter frost in the rangest had but lightly touched the sheltere

forests that shut in Bonavista. The snowseldom lay long there, and only a fewwisps of it gleamed beneath the northeredge of the pines. Mrs. Acton, as usual

had gathered a number of guests about herand Violet Hamilton sat talking with onof them in the great drawing-room onevening. The room was brilliantly lighted

and the soft radiance gleamed upon th



polished parquetry floor, on which rugs ocostly skins were scattered. A fire osnapping pine-logs blazed in the bi

English hearth, and a faint aromatifragrance crept into the room.

Miss Hamilton leaned back in a softl

padded lounge that was obviously onlmade for two, and a pleasant-facedbrown-eyed young Englishman, who hano particular business in that country, bu

had gone there merely for amusement, saat the other end of it, regarding her with smile.

“After all,” he said reflectively, “I realldon’t think I’m very sorry the snow drovus down from our shooting camp in thranges.”

Violet laughed. She had met the ma



before he went into the mountains, and hhad been at Bonavista for a week or twnow.

“It was too cold for you up there?” shqueried.

“It was,” answered the man, “at least, i

was certainly too cold for Jardine, whcame out with me. He got one of his feenipped sitting out one night with the riflon a high ledge in the snow, and when

eft him in Vancouver the doctor told himt would be a month before he could wea

a boot again.”

He laughed. “I have a shrewd suspiciohat one has to get hardened to that kind ohing, and, surely, this is considerabl

nicer.”



“This,” repeated Violet, who fancied shunderstood what he meant, “is very muche same thing as you are accustomed to i

London, except that the houses are, ndoubt, more luxuriously furnished, and thcompany is more brilliant anentertaining.”

“You would not expect me to make anyadmission of that kind?” and the maooked at her reproachfully. “In any case

t wouldn’t be warranted.”“Then,” said Violet, “I must have somvery erroneous notions of your Englismansions.”

The man smiled. “Ah!” he said, “I wareferring to the company.”

He had expressed himself in a simila



fashion once or twice before, but Violedid not resent it. She admitted that shrather liked him, and she did not know

hat, although he had been a week or twat Bonavista, he had only intended to stahere a few days. It had naturally occurreo Mrs. Acton that there might be a certain

significance in this, but she was misled bhe open manner in which another youn

woman had annexed him.

There were other guests in the room, anamong them was a little bald-headed manwhom Violet had heard had philanthropiendencies, and was connected with som

emigration scheme. This man was talkino Acton. He spoke in a didactic mannerapping one hand with his gold-rimme

spectacles, and appeared quite content tha



he rest should hear him.

“There is no doubt that this country offerus a great field,” he said. “In fact, I havalready made arrangements for settling number of deserving families on the landWhat I am particularly pleased with is th

manner in which the man who makes hihome here is brought into close contacwith Nature. The effect of this cannot faio be what one might term recuperative

There is a vitality to be drawn from thsoil, and I have of late been urging thmanifold advantages of the simple lifupon those who are interesting themselve

n these subjects with me.”Violet glanced at her companion, and sawhe amusement in his eyes.

“Do you all talk like that in England?” sh



nquired.

The man raised his hand reproachfully“I’m afraid some of us talk a good deal orubbish now and then. Still, as a matter ofact, we don’t round up our sentences ihat precise fashion, as he does. Just now

we’re rather fragmentary. Of course, he’right to some extent. I’m fond of thsimple life––that is, for a month or sowhen I know that a two days’ ride wil

and me in a civilized hotel. The trouble ihat most of the folks who recommend iwould certainly go all to bits in a fewweeks after they tried it personally. Ca

you fancy our friend yonder choppinremendous trees, or walking up to hi

knees in snow twelve hours with a flourbag on his back?”



Violet certainly could not. The man wafull-fleshed, plethoric, and heavy of footand he spoke with a throaty gasp.

“The tilling of the soil,” he went onapparently addressing anybody who careo listen, “is man’s natural task, and I thin

ature’s beneficent influences are felt toheir fullest extent in the primeval stillnesof these wonderful Western woods.”

Violet’s companion looked up at her with

a smile.

“The primeval stillness sounds rathenice, only it isn’t still except you go up

nto the snow upon the peaks,” he said. “Imost of the other places my trail lehrough you can hear the rivers, and the

make noise enough for anything. Now

here’s a man yonder I haven’t see



before, who, I fancy, could tell usomething about it if he liked. His facsuggests that he knows. I mean the on

alking to Mrs. Acton.”Violet followed his glance, and saw a mastanding beside Mrs. Acton near the grea

English hearth; but his face was turneaway from her, and it was a moment owo before he looked round. Then sh

started, and the blood crept into he

cheeks as she met Nasmyth’s gaze.He had changed since she last saw him–changed, she felt, in an almosdisconcerting fashion. He wore plain citclothes, and they hung about him with suggestive slackness. His face wadarkened and roughened by exposure t

he winter winds; it had grown sharp an



stern, and there was a disfiguring red scadown one side of it. His eyes were keeand intent, and there was a look in the

hat she did not remember having noticebefore, while he seemed to have lost hicareless gracefulness of manner. Even histep seemed different as he move

owards her. It was, though neither exactlunderstood why, a difficult moment foboth of them when he stopped close by heside, and it was made no easier by the fachat they were not alone. Violet turned to

her companion, who rose.

“Mr. Carshalton, from the Old Country,”

she said. “This is Mr. Nasmyth.”Carshalton nodded. “Glad to meet youWon’t you sit down?” he said. “As i

happens, I had just pointed you out to Mis



Hamilton. We were talking about thewilderness––or, to be more precise, thgreat primeval stillness. I ventured t

suggest that you could tell us somethinabout it.”

asmyth smiled significantly. “Well,” he

replied, “I have certainly spent a fewmonths in the wilderness. That is one ohe results.”

He meant to indicate the hand that hung b

his side in a thick, soft glove by thgesture he made, but it was the other onhat Violet and Carshalton glanced at. I

was scarred and battered, and had openen raw red cracks under the frost.

“Ah!” said Carshalton, “I think I was quitwarranted in assuring Miss Hamilton tha

t was a good deal nicer here. You see,



was up in the ranges for a week or two. had to come down with my comrade, whsat out one night in the snow. Th

primeval stillness didn’t agree with him.”He met Violet’s eyes, and next momenglanced across the room.

“I don’t think I’ve spoken to Mr. Actonhis evening,” he said. “We’ll have a talk

about the wilderness by-and-by, Mrasmyth.”

He strolled away, and Nasmyth sat downby Violet’s side.

“I fancied the man meant to stay,” h

remarked.

Violet leaned back in the lounge, andooked at him a moment or two silently

Her thoughts were confused, and she wa



uneasy. In the first place, she almoswished it had not been so easy to makCarshalton understand that she wished hi

o go away; for the fact that she had beeable to do so by merely looking at hisuggested that there was at least a certaiconfidence between them, and she wa

unwilling to admit that such was the caseThat, however, was only a minor pointWhile Carshalton had spoken of thsimple life, and admitted that a few weekof it was quite enough for him, she hahought with a certain tenderness of th

man who had spent months of strenuou

oil in the misty depths of the cañon. Shwas glad of this, and felt a slighcompunction over the fact that she haseldom thought of him of late. Still, whe

she saw him bearing the marks of thos



months of effort on his body and in hiworn face, she was sensible that shshrank from him, as she had once don

from the dreary, dripping wilderness. Thiwas disconcerting, but she could not drivout the feeling. His worn face vaguelroubled her, and she was sorry for him

but she would not have liked to touch hiscarred and roughened hands. She glanceat the injured hand inquiringly.

“It is almost well again. It was crushebeneath a mass of timber,” he told hebriefly.

Conscious that the meeting so far left good deal to be desired, Violet sat still moment. It certainly had not afforded hehe pleasure she might reasonably hav

expected, and she subconsciously resente



he fact. There was also, as she noticed, suggestion of uneasiness in the man’scarred face.

“I have been in Victoria a few days,” hexplained. “There was a machine I had tbuy, and one or two other matters had to

be attended to. Then I got a letteforwarded from Waynefleet’s ranch, fromwhich it appeared that Mr. Acton wishedo see me.”

A faint sparkle crept into VioleHamilton’s eyes. “It is evident,” shobserved, “that we both find it a littldifficult to say the right thing.”

“I’m afraid I am now and then a littlremiss in that respect. Still, how have offended?”



Violet contrived to smile. “I’m not sure iwas particularly judicious of you texplain so fully what brought you here

Couldn’t you have left me to suggesanother reason that would have been ittle more satisfactory?”

asmyth laughed. “My dear, you know have been longing to see you.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Violet, “I am noaltogether sure. Indeed, I could almos

fancy that you have been thinking onothing beyond what you are doing in thahorrible cañon.”

asmyth raised his hand in protest, thougViolet was quick to notice the uneasinesn his face; but now the worn look in i

roused her pity.



“Well,” she said, “you can show howanxious you were by staying here at least week. I want you to stay. Besides, you

must for another reason––you are lookinalmost ill.”

There was, for the first time, a softness i

her voice that stirred the man, but thuneasiness that had troubled him did nodisappear. Indeed, it seemed to growstronger as he glanced about the room

which was furnished artistically, andflooded with light. Mrs. Acton’s guestwere of the station to which he habelonged, and he would once have foun

he sound of their voices and their lighaughter pleasant. These, however, werhings that no longer appealed to him, an

he was conscious of a feverish impatienc



o get back to his work again in the mistcañon.

“I’m afraid,” he replied gravely, “it wilbe out of the question for me to stay jusnow. There is so much to do at the cañonand I think you know why I am so anxiou

o carry the work through.”The girl looked at him in a curioufashion, and though she was probably noaware of it, there was doubt in her eyes

For the moment she was troubled with sense of comprehension, and she could nobe quite sure whether it was only on heaccount that he was so determined to carrout the project.

“Well,” she told him, “I know that MrActon and your uncle are anxious to se

you. In fact, I believe they have som



suggestions to put before you, and though do not know exactly what it is, I imaginhat you need not go back to the Bush i

you will do what they wish.” She brokoff and glanced at him wistfully. “Derrickyou won’t decide rashly. I don’t want yoo stay away from me.”

asmyth smiled reassuringly; but one oViolet’s companions approached them jushen, and when she leaned upon the bac

of the lounge and spoke to the girasmyth rose. He crossed the room, and few minutes later, in the big cedar hallcame upon a man connected with th

Crown land agency. There was an opefire in the hall, and the man, who sat dowby it, offered Nasmyth a cigar.

“Mrs. Acton will excuse us for a few



minutes,” the Stranger remarked. “You areevidently fresh from the Bush. How aryou getting on there?”

asmyth told him, and the man lookehoughtful.

“You don’t hold all the valley,” the man

said. “I wonder if you know that folks araking an interest in the land that’s stil

unrecorded?”

“I don’t,” said Nasmyth. “It’s mostlheavy timber that would cost a deal tclear. Any way, as we couldn’t take upany more than we hold, it doesn’t appea

o affect me at all.”“Well,” returned his companion, “that’s apoint I’m not quite sure about. You onlyhold a provisional charter to lower th



river. There’s only one unworked holdingnear the valley, and, as you couldn’t injuranybody’s property, we permitted you to

go ahead. Still, if any parties supplied uwith a sufficient reason for withdrawinhat permission, we might have to listen them.” He broke off for a moment an

waved his hand. “Of course, I’m nospeaking officially. I’m merely giving yoa hint that may be useful. Some personmight take up that land with the object oputting the screw on you. You see, iwould be possible to get over andifficulty they might raise by buying the

out.”asmyth’s lips closed firmly. He wa

quite aware that, in view of the state of hifinances, the course suggested was not on



hat he could adopt.

“What kind of people are they?” hnquired.

His companion laughed in an ominoufashion. “Small ranchers, though it’s juspossible that there may be some of the bi

men connected with the land businesbehind them. The big promoteroccasionally prefer to act through dummy. Our object is, of course, to ge

men who will cultivate the land, and keet out of the hands of anyone who merel

wants to hold it. Now, while I’m far frosure my superiors would be pleased thear I’d said so much to you, there’s onpiece of advice I can offer.” He leanedforward and looked at Nasmyt

confidentially. “Get that work through a



soon as you can. Once you lower the leveof the river, nobody could compel you toput it back again. Any man who wanted

and would have to buy it as it was.”“A man who wished to start a rancwould naturally prefer it with the wate

run out of it.”“Precisely!” argued Nasmyth’s informant“That is why you got the charter. Still, wasn’t contemplating the man who merel

wished to ranch.”

His smile suggested that he intended to sano more upon that subject, and when h

urned and glanced through the doorwanto the lighted room, Nasmyth saw that hwas looking at Violet Hamilton. Nasmytalso noticed that Carshalton was onc

more seated beside the girl.



“I rather like that Englishman,” declarehe stranger. “Acton apparently gets o

with him, too. He seems to have been her

some time. In fact, while it’s nobodelse’s business, I’ve been inclined towonder what Miss Hamilton thinks ohim.”

asmyth made no reply, but thobservation slightly troubled him. A littleater Acton crossed the hall.

“If you can give us a few minutes, youuncle and I have something to put beforyou,” he said. “I’ll go along with you tmy room.”



CHAPTER XXV

NASMYTH DECIDES

A shaded lamp stood on the table oActon’s room, and, as Nasmyth enteredhe saw Wisbech, whom he had not mesince his arrival, sitting just inside thight of it in a lounge-chair. He strod

forward and shook hands with his uncle.

“Until I got your letter I almost fancieyou were in Japan,” he said.

Wisbech smiled at him. “I shall probabl

start very shortly. In fact, I never expected



o stay here half so long as I have donebut I found a good deal to interest me ihis country, and it’s twenty years since

have been away from business for morhan a week or two. The works were min

until very recently, but there are timenow when I’m not altogether sorry I’

merely a director of the company.”Acton laid a handful of cigars on the tableand drew out a chair for Nasmyth.

“Well,” he replied reflectively, “there is agood deal in this country that woulnterest a sensible man, but I’m not surhat’s exactly what has kept Mr. Wisbech

so long in Victoria. I’ve a point or two tomention later, but I’ll let him speak firstt’s his affair.”

asmyth sat down, and he did no



mmediately notice that while Acton hadplaced his chair where the light struck fulupon his face, Wisbech sat a little farthe

back in the shadow cast by the shade ohe lamp. After a moment Acton sought the

dimmer part of the room. Wisbech turnedo Nasmyth.

“I understand that you expect to marrMiss Hamilton by-and-by,” he said. “Nodoubt you have thought over the questio

of what you’re going to keep a wife on?”“I admit that it’s one that has caused me good deal of anxiety;” and Nasmyteaned forward, with his elbows on thable. “Still, it hasn’t troubled me quite s

much of late. If I succeed with the schemhave in hand, it will bring me mone

enough to make a start with a large



venture of the kind, or to enable me tundertake ranching on a reasonablextensive scale. When the land is read

for cultivation, and you haven’t to face thnitial cost of getting rid of heavy timberhe business is a profitable one.”

“It is possible that Miss Hamilton woulnot care to live at even a tolerablextensive ranch. She has been accustomeo comfort of every kind and cheerfu

society, and there can’t be very much oeither in the Bush; while, if you undertakany further work of the kind you suggest, iwould be a few years before you mad

your mark. Now, I’m not sure it would breasonable to expect a young woman likMiss Hamilton to wait indefinitely.”

asmyth flushed a little. “I think,” h



replied, “that is a question which concernMiss Hamilton and me alone.”

Acton leaned forward in his chair. “MrsActon seems to fancy it concerns her, toon fact, that’s one reason why I wrote to

you. Well, I’m going to lay before you a

business proposition. You have probablyheard of the Hecla Mineral Exploitatioconcern? It’s run by two friends of minewho have made a great deal of money ou

of their claims. They’re getting elderlyand are open to take in a younger man––man of education, who has somacquaintance with the work that’s done i

he Bush. He must take hold now, and holdstock in the concern. Here’s the last lettehey wrote me.”

He passed it across to Nasmyth, whos



face grew eager, and then suddenlhardened again. The concern in questiowas, as he had heard, one of excellen

repute, and supposed to be carrying on profitable mining business.

“It’s out of the question that I should rais

he capital,” he said.“The money can be raised,” Wisbecbroke in quietly. “I’ll buy that stock foyou, and, if you insist on it, you can treat i

as a loan.”

asmyth sat very still for a moment owo, and slowly closed one hard hand. H

had never expected such an offer froWisbech, and he recognized that it wouldfree him of all his difficulties if haccepted it. There was, however, a

obstacle in the way.



“Well,” asked Wisbech very dryly, “isn’he Hecla Minerals good enough for you?”

asmyth looked at Acton. “I must gohere––now?”

“That is one of the conditions. They wano fix the thing before Kekewich, wh

hasn’t been well lately, starts East on rip to Montreal. I promised to wire if yo

were willing to go down and see them tomorrow.”

asmyth turned to Wisbech, and his voicwas strained.

“I am under many obligations to yo

already, sir, but I’m sorry I can’t profit byyour generosity in this case,” he said.

“Why?” queried Wisbech sharply.



“It’s a little difficult to explain. You seehe idea of lowering the river was mine

Some of the boys up yonder hav

mortgaged their ranches, and put everdollar they could raise in that way into thscheme. They look to me to put the thinhrough; so that they may get their mone

back again.”“Is there no one else who could do that?Acton asked. “It seems to me there’

nothing wrong with that man Gordon. guess you could leave it to him.”

asmyth felt that Wisbech was watchinhim with a curious intentness.

“Gordon,” he answered slowly, “is aeast as well fitted to lead the boys as

am. In fact, I might go farther than tha

After all, however, there is a little more to



be said.”

He stopped abruptly, and sat silent moment or two, leaning with one elbowon the table, and the light full upon hiface. There was trouble in his expressiveyes, but his mouth was tense and griml

resolute. He remembered the pleasansummer days that he and Violet Hamiltohad spent together, but he also heard throar of the river in the misty depths of th

cañon, and the crash of stream-drivepines. The familiar sounds rang in hiears, rousing him to action, and somethinn his nature responded. In the meanwhil

here was a heavy silence in the room. Hicompanions watched him closely, andActon, who looked round for a momennoticed the suggestive glint in Wisbech’



eyes.

asmyth straightened himself suddenly. “know what I am turning my back upon,” hadded. “It is very probable that I shalnever get another opportunity of this kinagain. Still, I owe the boys something, an

feel I owe a little to myself. This schemn the cañon is the first big thing I havever undertaken. I can’t quite make thway that I look at it clear to you, but”––

and he brought one hand down on the tabln an emphatic fashion––“I feel that I musgo on until it breaks me or I put ihrough.”

Wisbech noisily thrust his chair back, andActon laughed––a laugh that had a fainring in it.

“Well, I guess I partly expected this,” said



Acton. “Mr. Nasmyth, it’s a sure thing thariver’s not going to break you.”

asmyth looked embarrassed, but nexmoment Wisbech laid a hand upon hishoulder.

“Derrick,” he said simply, “if you had

closed with my offer, I wouldn’t havblamed you, but I’d have felt I had donmy duty then, and I’d never have made yoanother. As it is, when things are going

wrong, all you have to do is to send word to me.”

Then, to the relief of his companions

Acton, whose expression changesuddenly, broke in again. “Well,” hecommented, “I’m not quite sure that MisHamilton will look at the thing fro

asmyth’s point of view. I guess we’l



eave him to explain it to her and MrsActon.”

asmyth fancied that the explanatiowould not be an easy task. In fact, it waone he shrank from, but it had to bundertaken, and, leaving the others, h

went back to the drawing-room. VioleHamilton was surrounded by severacompanions, and he did not approach heuntil she glanced at him as she slipped ou

nto the big cedar hall. She sat down on ounge near the fire, and he leaned upohe arm of it, looking down on her wit

grave misgivings. He recognized that i

was scarcely reasonable to expect that shwould be satisfied with the decision hhad made.

“You have seen your uncle and Acton?”



she asked.

“Yes,” answered Nasmyth; “I havesomething to tell you.”

The girl turned towards him quickly“Ah!” she said, “you are not going to dwhat they proposed?”

“I’m sorry the thing they suggested waout of the question. You will let me telyou what it was?”

Violet made a sign of assent, and Nasmytspoke quietly for a minute or two. Then faint flush crept into the girl’s cheeks anda sparkle into her eyes.

“You said no!” she interrupted.

“I felt I had to. There seemed no othecourse open to me.”



Violet looked at him in evidenbewilderment, and Nasmyth spoke agaideprecatingly. “You see,” he explained, “

felt I had to keep faith with thosranchers.”

“Didn’t it occur to you that you had also t

keep faith with me?” she inquired sharply“I think that was the one thing I was tryino do.”

Violet showed no sign of comprehensionand it was borne in upon Nasmyth thehat, in her place, Laura Waynefleet would

have understood the motives that ha

nfluenced him, and applauded them.“My dear,” he said, “can’t you understandhat you have laid an obligation on me t

play a creditable part? I couldn’t turn m



back on my comrades now that they havmortgaged their possessions, and, though hink Gordon or one of the others coul

ead them as well as I could, when I askehem to join me, I tacitly pledged myself t

hold on until we were crushed or haachieved success.”

He looked at her wistfully when hstopped speaking; but she made a gesturof impatience.

“The one thing clear to me is that if yohad done what Mr. Acton suggested youcould have lived in Victoria, and havseen me almost whenever you wished,she declared. “Some of those ranchermust know a good deal more about worof the kind you are doing than you do, and

f you had explained it all to them, the



would have released you.”

asmyth sighed. Apart from the obligatioo his comrades, there were other motive

which had influenced him. He vaguely felhat it was incumbent on him to prove hi

manhood in this arduous grapple wit

ature, and, after a purposeless life, tvindicate himself. The wilderness, aGordon had said, had also gotten hold ohim, and that described what had befalle

him reasonably well. There are many menand among them men of education, in thosWestern forests who, having once taken uhe axe and drill, can never wholly le

hem go again. These men grow restlesand morose in the cities, which seldohold them long. The customs ocivilization pall on them, and conten



comes to them only when they toil kneedeep in some frothing rapid, or hew thnew waggon-road through a stupendou

forest. Why this should be they do noexactly know, and very few of therouble themselves about the matter

Perhaps it is a subconscious recognitio

of the first great task that was laid on mao subdue the earth and to make it fruitfuasmyth, at least, heard the river. It

hoarse roar rang insistently in his earsand he braced himself for the conflict thamust be fought out in the depths of thcañon. These, however, were feelings tha

he could not well express, and once morhe doubted Violet’s comprehension.

“My dear,” he told her humbly, “I amsorry; but there was, I think, only one thin



could do.”

Violet, looking up, saw that his face wastern, and became sensible of a faint anperplexing repulsion from him. Hianguid gracefulness had vanished, and h

was no longer gay or amusing. A rugged

elemental forcefulness had comuppermost in him, and this was a thing shdid not understand. Involuntarily shshrank from this grave, serious man. Ther

was a disfiguring newly healed cut on onof his cheeks, and his hand was raw anhorribly scarred.

“You have changed since you were lashere,” she said, looking at him witdisapproval. “Perhaps you really are ittle sorry to leave me, but I think that i

all. At least, you will not be sorry to ge



back to the cañon.”

asmyth started a little. It was a thing thahe would at one time certainly not havexpected, but he realized now that he wadriven by a fierce impatience to get baco the work he had undertaken.

“I think that is not astonishing in onrespect,” he replied. “I told you why I feehat I must carry the project through. Th

sooner I am successful, the sooner I ca

come back to you.”

The girl laughed somewhat bitterly. “Iyou would only be sensible, you need no

go away. Are you quite sure it is not theproject that comes first with you?” shquestioned.

asmyth felt the blood creep into his face



for it suddenly dawned on him that thsuggestion she had made was to somextent warranted.

“My dear,” he answered quietly, “youmust try to bear with me.”

Violet rose. “Well,” she said, “when do

you go away?”“In the morning.”

There was resentment in the girl’

expression. “Since you have made up youmind to go, I will make no protest,” shdeclared. Then, with a swift change omanner, she turned and laid her hand upo

his arm. “After all, I suppose you must goDerrick, you won’t stay away very long!”

They went into the drawing-room together

and half an hour had passed when Mrs



Acton beckoned to Nasmyth, and hfollowed her into an adjoining alcove. Shsat down and looked at him reproachfully

“I am very angry with you,” she asserted“in fact, I feel distinctly hurt. You have nocome up to my expectations.”

“I’m sorry,” replied Nasmyth quietly“Still, I’m not astonished. Youndignation is perfectly natural. I felt at thime Mr. Acton made me the offer that he

had been prompted by you. That”––and hmade a deprecatory gesture––“is onreason why I’m especially sorry I couldnprofit by it.”

Mrs. Acton sat silent a moment or tworegarding him thoughtfully. “Well,” shedeclared, “from now I am afraid you mus

depend upon yourself. I have tried to b



your friend, and it seems that I have failedWill you be very long at the cañon?”

“If all goes as I expect it, six months. Inot, I may be a year, or longer. I shalcertainly not come back until I asuccessful.”

“That is, of course, in one sense the kinof decision I should expect you to make. Idoes you credit. Unfortunately, I’m nosure that it’s wise.”

asmyth looked at her with quicapprehension. “I wonder,” he said, “if yowould tell me why it isn’t?”

Mrs. Acton appeared to weigh her words“My views are, naturally, not alwaycorrect,” she answered. “Even if thewere, I should scarcely expect you to b



guided by them. Still, I think it would nobe wise of you to stay away very long.”

She rose, and smiled at him. “It is advichat may be worth taking. Now I must g

back to the others.”

asmyth pushed aside the portieres fo

her, and then sauntered into the hallwhere in a very thoughtful mood, he sadown by the fire.



drills, and straightened himself as hclambered down between the trees. Thsound had a bracing effect on him, and h

felt a curious little thrill as the clamour ohe river came up to him in lon

pulsations. The sound of the waters wagrowing louder when Gordon, with a bi

axe in his hand, materialized out of thshadows, and strode forward impulsivelat the sight of him.

“Hand better? We’re glad to see you; buyou might have stayed another day owo,” he said.

asmyth laughed. “Well,” replied he“perhaps it’s a little curious, considerineverything, but I was impatient to get bacagain. In fact, I feel more at home eac

ime I scramble down from the divide.”



He glanced round through the sliding snowat the dim white range and ranks oowering pines, and, as he did so, the roa

of the river and the wail of trees thaswayed beneath a fierce wind filled throck-walled hollow. Then the persistenclink of drills and thud of axes broke ou

again, while here and there the blurrewhite figure of a toiling man emergefrom the snow. It was a picture that a maunused to the wilderness might havshrunk from, but Gordon understood hicomrade. They were engaged in a greastruggle, with the powers of savag

ature arrayed against them; but it wawith a curious quickening of all thstrength that was in them, mental anphysical, that they braced themselves fo

he conflict.



“I have a thing or two to tell you, buwe’ll get into the shanty and have suppefirst. The boys are just quitting work,

remarked Gordon.They clambered down over a practicablrail, though part of it was covered dee

with snow, crept in and out among thboulders by the light of a great fire thablazed above the fall, and found Mattawaying a meal out when they reached th

shanty. Neither Nasmyth nor Gordon saidanything of consequence until after thmeal, and then Nasmyth, who had put ohis deer-hide jacket and duck trousers

flung himself down in an empty packingcase that was stuffed with soft sprucwigs, and looked about him with a smil

of contentment. A lamp hung above him



and its light gleamed upon axes, drillsron wedges, and crosscut saws, and mad

a chequered pattern of brightness an

shadow on the rude log walls. A glowingstove diffused a cosy warmth, and thittle room was filled with the odours oobacco and drying boots and clothes.

“I suppose you saw Wisbech?” observedGordon. “Miss Waynefleet told one of theboys, who was through at the settlemen

hat she had a note from him asking ishe’d get a letter he or Acton had writtennto your hands as soon as possible. H

seems to be making quite a stay in thi

country.”“He has stayed several months longer thahe intended,” replied Nasmyth. “I believ

he did it on my account; but he’s going on



again in a week or two. I saw him aBonavista. Where’s Waynefleet?”

“I guess he’s in Victoria.”

“I didn’t come across him. What took hihere?”

Gordon laughed. “He said it was businessWanted to see if we couldn’t get our tooland powder cheaper. As a matter of factt would be a relief if that could be done

Any way, he has been working quite hardand has hung on rather longer than expected. Administration’s his strongpoint. He doesn’t like chopping.

Gordon’s face grew grave. “In one wayt’s rather a pity he’s fond of talking. I’mmost afraid somebody may start hi

discoursing on what we’re doing over

glass of wine and a cigar. I like a man o



hat kind where I can put my hand on himHe’s one of our weak spots.”

asmyth nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t knowhe was in the city,” he said. “How are yougetting on?”

“Satisfactorily, so far as the work goes

We have pushed the blasting heading welunder the fall, but there’s a thing that habeen worrying me. I’d gone across thrange to see what the boys in the valle

had done, when a man came in. It appearhe resented our trying to lower the riverMattawa saw him.”

Mattawa looked up with a grin. “He saihe’d a claim up at the head of the valleyand we had got to quit work right away. Iwe didn’t he’d get the Crown people o

he court to stop us. He liked plenty o



water round his ranch. Some of the boygot a little riled with him, and they toohim up the gully and put him on his horse.

“I never heard of a claim up yonder,declared Nasmyth gravely.

“Well,” said Gordon, “I believe there i

one. Somebody recorded it a long whilago, and did nothing on it, but, as it wabought land, his title stands. Potter says hunderstood the man was dead. It may b

an attempt to get some money out of us.”

asmyth sat thoughtfully silent a momenor two.

“One of the Crown people hinted asomething of the kind,” he said. “Now scarcely think any of the boys would gback on us by selling out his land?”



“Not one. Any way, I guess they couldhardly do it without the consent of thrustees. You and I are not likely to give

ours.” He paused for a moment. “Well,”he added, “I guess Waynefleet could bedepended on.”

asmyth said nothing for almost a minuteand both recognized that the silence wasignificant. Then he rose abruptly.

“In one shape or other the trouble yo

suggested is one we will have to face,” hcommented. “That’s why I’m going to fira big charge in the blasting heading tonight. You can bring the giant-powdealong, Tom.”

Mattawa appeared to be amazed, anGordon stared at his comrade curiously.



“If you fire that charge now, you’lnaturally make an end of the heading, and understood your notion was to drive righ

under the fall and blow the whole ledgout at one time,” objected Gordon. “Guesf you just rip the top of the rock off, as fa

as we have gone, it will take us quite

while to make another tunnel, and moneyas I needn’t remind you, is running out.”

“Exactly!” agreed Nasmyth. “That extr

work will have to be faced, but if I can gea big charge in to-night I can cut down thridge a foot or two. Two feet less watewill count for something in the valley, and

’m going to make sure of it. It seemcertain that somebody will try to stop uby-and-by.”

Gordon noticed the hard glint i



asmyth’s eyes, and knew that now whehe was being pushed back to the wall hmeant to fight, and would not shrink fro

a sacrifice. They had driven thauncompleted heading at a heavy coscutting at first an open gallery in the facof the rock, drenched with the spray of th

fall. Then they had crawled into thdripping tunnel hewn out by sheer force omuscle, for it was seldom that powdecould be used, and they had only a wornout machine, and had toiled crouchinwith scarcely room to bring a hammedown on wedge or to hold the drill, whil

from odd fissures the icy river poured ion them. Now, it seemed, all that severeffort was to be practically thrown awaybut he recognized that his comrade wa

right. It was wiser to make sure of tw



feet than to wait until somebody set thaw in motion and stopped the work.

“Yes,” he assented simply; “I guess it hao be done.”

Mattawa entered with the magazine, anasmyth laid out several sticks of giant

powder near the stove. There was certain risk in this, but giant-powdefreezes, and when that happens one mushaw it out. It is a singularly errati

compound of nitro-glycerine, whicrequires to be fired by a powerfudetonator, and, if merely ignited, burnharmlessly. One can warm it at a stove, oeven flatten it with a hammer, withoustirring it to undesired activity––that is, aa rule––but now and then a chance tap

with a pick-handle or a little jolt suffice



o loose its tremendous potentialities. Isuch cases the men nearest it are usuallnot shattered, but dissolved into thei

component gases.asmyth was quite aware of this as he sa

by the stove kneading the detonators int

he sticks that he held up to warm. His lipwere set, but his scarred hands wersteady, for another risk more or less didnot count for very much in the cañon

Once, however, Mattawa ventured protest.

“I guess that stick’s quite hot enough,” hobserved.

asmyth said nothing, but went on withis work, until at length he laid the stickand fuses in the magazine, and signallin

o the others, moved towards the door



The snow beat into their faces when thewent outside, and the glare of the firabove the fall emphasized the obscurity

ow the flames flung an evanescent flasof radiance across the whirling pool anhe dark rock’s side, and then sank agaio a dim smear of yellow brightness whil

a haze of vapour whirled amidst the snowfor a high wind swept through the cañonSometimes they could see the boulderamong which they stumbled, and the rivefrothing at their feet, but for the most parhey saw nothing, and groped onward wit

dazzled eyes, until at last Nasmyth swun

himself up on the narrow staging thaoverhung the pool beneath the fall, anGordon heard the sticks of giant-powdeolt against the side of the magazine. Tha

alone would have sufficed to indicate th



state of his comrade’s temper, for so faas it is possible, men handle giant-powdevery tenderly.

There was no rail to the narrow stagingwhich was glazed with frozen spray, andwhen Gordon was half-way along it, th

fire flung out a gush of radiance and sansuddenly. Then thick smoke whirled abouhim, and for a moment or two he stoppeand gasped, feeling for the rock with

cautious hand. He was aware that the mawho slipped from the staging would bwhirled round with the eddy and drawdown beneath the fall. A harsh voice came

out of the darkness.“Am I to wait here half the night?” iasked.

Gordon went on circumspectly, bruisin



his numbed fingers now and then upon thstone, until once more a blaze broke outand he saw Nasmyth floundering in hast

over a pile of shattered rock. Thmagazine was slung over his shoulder, annow and then it struck his back or the sidof the rock. While Gordon would hav

been relieved had his comrade acted morcircumspectly, he was not surprisedThere were, he knew, times when meunder strain broke out into an unreasoninfury. He had seen one hewing savagely ohe perilous side of a tremendous totterinree, and another grimly driving the bolt

hat could not save it into the stringers of collapsing wooden bridge. It was, as hrecognized, not exactly courage that thehad displayed, but the elemental savager

hat in the newer countries, at least, now



and then seizes on hard-driven men groundown by mortgage-holders, or ruined bflood and frost. With man and Natur

against them they would make their lasgrim protest before they were crushedGordon once or twice had been consciouof the same fierce desire. He coul

sympathize with Nasmyth, but, after all, hwished he would not bang the giantpowder about in that unceremonioufashion.

“Leave the magazine yonder, and we’lbring it along,” he cried.

asmyth made no answer, but he waiteduntil Gordon and Mattawa joined him, anhey lowered themselves down from

rock shelf on to a pile of broken rock

about which the eddy swirled. The spra



of the fall beat upon them, and the roar ot was bewildering, but the noise wa

softened when they crawled into th

entrance of a narrow tunnel. Mattawawith considerable difficulty, struck match, and a pale light streamed out frohe little metal lamp he fastened in his hat

The light showed the ragged roof of thunnel and the rivulet of icy water tha

flowed in the bottom of it. They crawleforward through the water for a few yardsvainly trying to avoid the deluge whicbroke upon them from the fissures, anfinally sat down dripping on a pile o

broken rock. Nasmyth took out his pipeand was lighting it when Gordon drew thmagazine away from him.

“You might just as well have done tha



before you opened the thing,” hremarked. “Anyway, if you merely want tosit down, it would have been quite a

comfortable in the shanty.”asmyth was silent for several moments

hen he turned to the other two men with

wry smile.“I don’t quite know how we drove thiheading with the tools we had, but I can’hink of any means of saving it,” he said

“There are men with money––Martial, anmore of them––in the cities waiting to takaway from us what we expect to get, ansince we have to fight them, it seems to madvisable to strike where it’s possible.He laughed harshly. “There’ll be two feeess water in the valley before th

morning.”



“But no heading,” cried Mattawa.

“Well,” replied Nasmyth simply, “we’lstart another one. I notice two holeyonder. We’ll drill a third one, Tom.”

asmyth had been in the saddle sincsunrise, in bitter frost and whirling snow

but he picked up a hammer, and Mattawseized a drill. There was no room tswing the hammer, and Nasmyth struchalf crouching, while, chilly as th

heading was, the perspiration drippefrom him, and the veins rose swollen ohis forehead. He was up against it, and man strikes hardest when he is presseback to the wall. Gordon sat and watchehem, but––for the rock rang with eacarring thud––he wrapped the magazine i

his wet jacket, and it was a relief to hi



when Nasmyth finally dropped thhammer.

“Now,” said Nasmyth, “we’ll fill everhole ram to the top.”

Mattawa placed the giant-powder in thholes, and they crawled back, trailing

couple of thin wires after them, until thereached the strip of shingle near the gullywhen Nasmyth made the connection withe firing-plug.

A streak of vivid flame leapt out of throck, and the detonation was followed bhe roar of the river pouring through th

newly opened gap. Nasmyth turnewithout a word and plodded back to thshanty. A group of men who hadscrambled down the gully met him.



“You were a little astonished to see meboys?” he said with a question in hivoice. Then he laughed.

“I’ve fired a big charge, and I guess you’lhave to start another heading as soon at’s sun-up.”

t was evident that the men werdisconcerted, and an expostulatormurmur rose from them. It ceasedhowever, when Nasmyth waved his hand.

“I had to do it, boys,” he declared.

t had cost them strenuous toil to drive thaheading, but one could have fancied tha

hey were satisfied with the tersassurance he offered them. He had provehimself fit to lead them, and they had steadfast confidence in him.



“Well,” commented one of the men, “inhat case, I guess all we have to do is t

start right off at the other one.”

asmyth opened the door of the shanty. “felt you’d look at it that way, boys,” hsaid. “I’ll explain the thing later. I’m

ittle played out to-night.”The men plodded away up the gully, andn another few minutes Nasmyth wa

sound asleep.



CHAPTER XXVII

TIMBER RIGHTS

They set to work on the new heading asunrise next morning, but it was a week owo before they had made much of a

opening in the rock beneath the falThough Nasmyth had lowered the level ohe river a little, the smooth-worn ston

still rose sheer from the depths of thwhirling pool, and the blasting haobliterated every trace of their previouoperations. They were compelled to mak

new approaches, and they toiled, drenche



with the icy spray, on frail, slung stagescutting sockets for the logs to hold heavier platform for the little boring

machine Nasmyth had purchased iVictoria. When the platform was built, thworking face was narrow, and the rock oa kind that yielded very slowly to th

cutting-tool. They had no power but that owell-hardened muscle, and none of thworkers had any particular knowledge oengineering.

They pushed the new heading toilsomelbeneath the fall, working in rock fissureby the last explosion, through which th

water poured in on them, while the riverose when the frost broke up and wasucceeded by a week or two of torrentiarain. The water swirled high among th



boulders, and had crept almost to thmouth of the heading, when one eveninWheeler walked into the shanty. He said

nothing of any consequence until suppewas over, and he then took a newspapeout of his pocket.

“Have you had any strangers round?” hasked.

“No,” answered Nasmyth, with a drsmile. “That is, they didn’t get any farthe

han the head of the gully. Two of themurned up one wet day, and when the

found they couldn’t get down, theexplained rather forcibly what thehought of me.”

Wheeler nodded, and handed the papeacross to him.



“I guess you did quite right,” he said“This should make it clear that some of thcity men with money are on our trail.”

asmyth glanced at the paper, and saw notification that certain timber rights in thforest belt surrounding the valley had bee

applied for.“The Charters people!” he declared“When I was in Victoria I had a talk withhem. I partly expected something of th

kind. By the way, I got a notification frohe rancher I mentioned that, if I continue

operations, proceedings would be beguagainst me.”

“They mean business,” commenteWheeler, with a snap in his dark eyes. “Iseems to me there are several of them i

he thing, and they evidently expect to ge



heir hands on the valley one way oanother. In all probability their idea is toet you get most of the work in, and the

scare you into selling out for what theike to offer. Have you had any big tree

coming along lately?”

“Yes,” answered Mattawa, “one or twowent over the fall this afternoon.”

“Drift logs?”

“Two had the branches chopped ofhem.”

Wheeler made a sign of comprehension“Well,” he predicted, “you’re going to see

a good many more of that kind before verong.” He turned to Nasmyth. “I’m goino stay over to-morrow. The mill’s held

up again. We had an awkward break, and



can’t get the new fixings in. You can telme how you’re getting on.”

They talked until late that night, and oawakening next morning found the rivehigher and thick with shattered ice. It haalso crept into the heading, and the me

who worked in it were knee-deep iwater. They, however, went on as usualand it was in the afternoon that severagreat trees leapt the fall, and, drivin

down the rapid, whirled away into thblack depths of the cañon. Wheeler, whostood watching attentively, nodded as threes drove by.

“Hemlock. That’s not going to count fomilling purposes,” he observed.

asmyth, who came up dripping wet, sa

down on a boulder and took out his pipe.



“Did you expect anything else?” he asked

Wheeler laughed. “I’m not sure that I didt seems to me the men who want thosimber rights don’t figure on doing muc

milling.” He looked up sharply. “Thione’s red cedar.”

Another great trunk leapt the fall, swepround the pool, and then brought up with crash upon the pile of shattered rocwhich still lay athwart the head of th

rapid. Nasmyth rose and straightenehimself wearily.

“It’s a trifle unfortunate I hadn’t hove tha

rock out with the derrick. We’ll have toake hold if the log won’t swing clear,” hsaid.

The tree swung a little, and then th



hinner head of it drove in among thboulders and stuck fast. In another momena shout rose from a man standing on th

edge above the fall.“Quite a batch of big logs coming along!he called.

asmyth thrust his pipe into his pockeand Wheeler, who watched him, nodded.

“They’ll jam and pile up,” said Wheeler

“I guess that’s what the other folkwanted. You have got to keep them clear.”

n another few moments Nasmyth wabeating a suspended iron sheet, and whil

ts clangour broke through the roar of thriver the men floundered towards hiover the shingle. One or two of them haaxes, and the rest, running into the shanty



how they could work at all, but they weraccustomed to toiling under embarrassinconditions. The saw had hardly bitte

hrough the bark when another log drovgrinding against the rest, and Mattawa’companion, who let the handle go, felforward on his face. He was up again in

moment, and after that stuck fast while loafter log drove smashing upon the growinmass. Sometimes the one he clung to rosup under him, and sometimes it sank untihe crouched in the water while anothegreat butt crept up upon it, and it seemehat he must be crushed between them

Still, the saw rasped steadily through thheaving, grinding timber. It was perilouwork, but it was clear to all of them that ihad to be done.



n the meanwhile Nasmyth and Gordostood knee-deep amidst the white foam ohe rapid. The water was icy cold, and i

was with difficulty they kept their feewhile every now and then a shower ospray that leapt out from among the timbefell upon them. The logs were already tw

deep at that spot, and one great top grounsteadily forward over the others as itpressed-down butt was driven on by thosbehind. One could almost have fancied iwas bent on escaping from the horriblconfusion of piled-up trunks that moved oone another under the impact of the flood

More were sweeping on, and crash aftecrash rang through the hoarse clamour ohe fall.

asmyth felt very feeble as he whirled th



heavy axe about his head, for that mass oimber was impressively big. He had tor

off his deer-hide jacket, and his soake

blue shirt gaped open to his waist at everheave of his shoulders. He stood in icwater, but the perspiration dripped frohim as he swung with every blow. Thoug

some men with good thews and sinewcan never learn to use the axe to anpurpose, he could chop, and the heavblade he whirled rang with a rhythmiprecision in the widening notch, theflashed about his head, and fell with chunk that was sharp as a whip-crack int

he gap again. In between Gordon’s axswept down, and the blades flasheathwart each other’s orbits without check or clash. It requires years to acquir

hat kind of proficiency with the axe, bu



he result is a perfecting of the cooperation between will and hardenemuscle.

t was fortunate that both could chop, fohe men with the crosscut appeared i

difficulties. The tree bent on the pile o

rock, and in straining closed the cut upohe saw. Another man who had joinedhem was endeavouring to hammer

wedge in, but with that crushing weigh

against him the attempt seemed futile. Hpersisted, however, and stood above thwhite froth of the rapid, a puny figurdwarfed by the tremendous rock wal

whirling what appeared to be a whollnsignificant hammer. His comrades wer

scattered about the grinding mass makinneffective efforts to heave a butt or to



clear of the others with their handspikesbut there was clearly only one vulnerablpoint of attack, and that was the on

asmyth and Gordon were hewing aWheeler, who felt the tension, watchedhem, clutching hard upon an unlighte

pipe. He was aware that if the mass o

imber, which grew rapidly larger, oncewedged itself fast, it might be a month owo before a flood broke it up; but he ha

also sense enough to recognize that, sincmost of the men’s efforts were futile, hmight just as well sit still.

The trunk was partly hewn through whe

he top of it bent outwards, and Gordoflashed an anxious glance at it. It waevident that if none of the others wedgehemselves in upon and reinforced it th



weight behind would shortly rend thrunk apart. Then the position woul

become a particularly perilous one, for th

whole mass would break away in chaotiruin, and he and his comrade stood closn front of it; but he could not tell how

much further strain the tree would bear

and he recognized that it was desirable thew the notch as deep as possible beforhe relinquished chopping. The axes ranfor another two minutes, and then therwas a sudden crash, and a cry froWheeler that was drowned in the tumult osound that rose from the liberated timber.

Great logs reared their butts or tops out ohe heaving mass. Some rolled round an

disappeared beneath those that crept upohem, but for a moment or two th



shattered trunk, jammed down by thweight upon it, held them back from thplunge into the rapid. It smashed amon

he rocks that ground and rent it as islowly gave way, and Wheeler ran hihardest towards a strip of shingle thaprojected a little into the river. He saw

asmyth, who had evidently lost hifooting, driving downstream towards iand knew that in another moment or twhe logs would be upon him.

asmyth was not exactly swimming. Ifact, strictly speaking, one cannot swim ia rapid, nor when there is only three o

four feet of water can one get upon one’feet. He rolled over and over, went downand came up again, until Wheelerfloundering into the foaming water



clutched him, and held on desperatelyhough he felt that his arm was bein

drawn out of its socket. He woul

probably have been swept away, too, hadnot somebody grabbed his jacket, and hheard a hoarse voice behind him.

“Heave!” it said––“heave!”The strain on Wheeler’s arm becamntolerable, but somehow he held fast, anust then there was an appalling crash an

roar. He felt himself being draggedbackwards, and in another moment felheavily upon the shingle with Nasmytacross his feet. Blinking about him haldazed, he saw the logs drive by, rollinggrinding, smashing, and falling on onanother. Then, as they whirled down th

rapid, and the roar they made began to di



away, he looked round, and saw severagasping men standing close behind him.

“Guess that was quite a near thing,” saione of them. “Any way, in this kind ocontract you can sure figure on trouble.”

This, as a matter of fact, was perfectl

correct, for it is only at considerable perio life and limb that saw-logs are drive

down the rivers to a Western mill. Theymust be guided through each awkwar

pass and frothing rapid, and the men whundertake it spring with pike and peevifrom one to another while the rollinrunks tumultuously charge on.

obody, however, troubled himself anyfurther about the matter, and in a few morminutes the men had set to work agai

heaving the rocks that had held up the firs



og out of the river with the derrick. It wanot until supper was over, and he sat withis companions in the shanty, that Wheele

referred to the affair again. He looked aasmyth with a smile.

“I guess it’s fortunate you got those log

away,” he said. “It’s probably a littlemore than the men who turned them looson you figured you could do.”

“That,” agreed Nasmyth, “is very much m

own opinion.”

Wheeler filled his pipe. “Now,” he saidreflectively, “anybody can apply fo

imber rights, and bid for them at publiauction, but the man who secures themust cut up so many thousand feet evermonth. Since that’s the case, it’s quite

evident that nobody is likely to bid fo



imber rights round the valley, except thCharters people, who have a little mill ohe Klatchquot Inlet, and they’d probabl

get the timber rights ’most for nothinghough they might have to put in a new saw

or two with the object of satisfying thLegislature.”

“It’s rather difficult to see how theexpect to make a profit on hemlock iview of what it would cost them to get th

ogs there,” Gordon broke in.“They don’t want to make a profit.Wheeler smiled. “Seems to me it’s theiprogramme to get hold of the rights cheapand then worry you because they can’t ruhe logs through this cañon. Th

Legislature won’t give you land or right

o do nothing with, and it’s quite likely th



Wheeler’s eyes twinkled. “Well,” hereturned, “they’re smart. I have, howevercome across smart folks who missed

point or two occasionally. Now, I saw acouple of red cedar logs among thahemlock.”

He glanced at Mattawa. “Tom, you’vebeen round the head of the valley. Did yostrike any trees of that kind up yonder?”

“A few,” answered Mattawa. “It’s quite

ikely there are more.”

“A sure thing. You and I are going ouimber-right prospecting at sun-up to

morrow. Just now they can’t get red cedashingles fast enough on to the Eastermarkets.”

asmyth looked up and Gordon laughed



soft laugh, while Wheeler waved his hand

“Anyone can bid for timber rights,” hdeclared. “Now, our folks are open foany business, and we have got a mill. It’not going to cost much to put a shinglesplitting plant in. We have easy water

carriage to the Inlet, where a schooner caoad, and the Charters people would havo tow their raw material right along their mill. Besides, that Inlet’s a blam

awkward place to get a schooner in. It’quite clear to me we could cut shingleway cheaper than they could.” He pausefor a moment. “Yes,” he said, “if there’

milling cedar near the valley, our folkwill make their bid. If Charters wanthose rights, he’ll have to put up th

money, and it’s quite likely we’ll take



hem up in spite of him if I’m satisfiewith my prospecting. In that case, we’rnot going to worry you about the cañon. I

fact, we would probably make you proposition at so much the log for runninhe trees down for us.”

He filled his pipe again, and Nasmytooked at him with relief in his eyes.



CHAPTER XXVIII

A PAINFUL DUTY

Three months had slipped away since thevening on which Wheeler had discussehe subject of shingle-splitting with hi

companions. Nasmyth stood outside thshanty in the drenching rain. He was verwet and miry, and his face was lined and

worn, for the three months of unremittineffort had left their mark on him. Wheelehad secured the timber rights in questionand that was one difficulty overcome, bu

asmyth had excellent reasons fo



believing that the men who had cascovetous eyes upon the valley had by nmeans abandoned the attempt to ge

possession of at least part of it.He had had flood and frost against himand his money was rapidly running out. A

wild flood swept through the cañon. Thheading was filled up, so that no oncould even see the mouth of it, and half throck he had piled upon the shingle ha

been swept into the rapid, where it haformed a dam among the boulders thacould be removed only at a heavexpenditure of time and powder when th

water fell. He was worn out in body, andsavage from being foiled by the swolleriver at each attempt he made, but whilhe odds against him were rapidl



growing heavier he meant to fight.

A Siwash Indian whom he had hired amessenger between the cañon and thsettlement had just arrived, and Gordonwho stood in the doorway of the shantyook a newspaper out of the wet packet h

had brought. Gordon turned to Nasmytwhen he opened it.

“Wheeler’s getting ahead,” he said“Here’s his announcement that his concer

s turning out a high-grade cedar shingleThat’s satisfactory so far as it goes. don’t quite know how we’d have held ouf it hadn’t been for the money we got fro

him for running the logs down.” Then hivoice grew suddenly eager. “Try to gehold of the significance of this, Derrick

We have got it on reliable authority tha



certain propositions for the exploitation ohe virgin forest-belt beyond the Butt

Divide will shortly be laid before th

Legislature. It is expected that liberasupport will be afforded to a project fohe making of new waggon-roads, and w

believe that if the scheme is adopte

certain gentlemen in this city wilendeavour to inaugurate a steamboaservice with the Western inlets.’” Hewaved his hand. “When this particulapaper makes an assertion of that kindhere’s something going on,” he added

“It’s a sure thing that if those roads ar

made, it will put another thirty or fortcents on to every dollar’s worth of lanwe’re holding.”

“Exactly,” replied Nasmyth, whose tens



face did not relax. “That is, it would, iwe had run the water out of the valley; butas it happens, we haven’t cut down ver

much of the fall yet, and this thing is goino make the men we have against us keenehan ever. They’re probably plotting howo strike us now. Get those letters open.”

There was anxiety in his voice, anGordon started when he had ripped opeone or two of the envelopes.

“This looks like business,” he remarkedas he glanced at a letter from a lawyewho had once or twice handled Nasmyth’affairs in the city. “It’s from Phelps. Hesays he has been notified that, unless aagreement can be arrived at, proceedingwill be taken by a man called Hames, wh

claims to hold one hundred acres on th



western side of the valley, to restrain youfrom altering the river level. Atterly––he’s the man we’ve heard from already––

t seems, is taking action, too.”“Hames?” repeated Nasmyth. “I’ve neveheard of him. Any way, he can’t hold land

on the western side. We haven’t sold anacre.” He stopped a moment, and lookehard at Gordon. “That is, I haven’sanctioned it, and I believe there’s nobod

holding a share in the project who woulgo back on us.”

Gordon made a gesture indicating hidoubt in the subject, and they looked aeach other for half a minute.

“I’m afraid I can’t go quite as far as that,he replied, and laughed harshly. “As i

stands recorded, the land could b



ransferred to anyone by Waynefleet. Anyway, it seems to be in his block. Phelpcites the boundary-posts.”

asmyth closed one hand tighWaynefleet, who had found the constanwetting too much for him, had left th

cañon a week or two before this morningon which it was evident a crisis of somsort was near. He had complained osevere pains in his back and joints, an

had sent them no word after his departure“Is there anything from him?” aske

asmyth.

Gordon picked out an envelope anopened it. “Here’s a note from MisWaynefleet. She desires you to ride acrosat once.”



With a troubled face Nasmyth stood stiln the rain another minute.

“I’ll take the pack-horse and start now,he said after a brief silence. “When I havseen Miss Waynefleet, I’ll go right on toVictoria.” He turned and gazed at th

river. “If one could get into the heading bany means, I’d fire every stick of giantpowder in it first. Unfortunately, the thins out of the question.”

n a few moments he was scrambling uhe gully, and Gordon, who went into th

shanty and lighted his pipe, sat gazing ahe letters very thoughtfully. They had n

money to spare for any legal expensesndeed, he was far from sure they ha

enough to supply them with powder an

provisions until their task wa



accomplished. During the long grim fighn the cañon they had borne almost all tha

could be expected of flesh and blood, an

t was unthinkable that the city man, whsat snug in his office and plotted, shoulay grasping hands upon the profit. Stilhat seemed possible now that somebod

had betrayed them.Meantime, Nasmyth had swung himselnto the pack-saddle, and, in the rain, wa

scrambling up the rocky slopes of thdivide. He had not changed his clothingand it would have availed him little if hhad, since there was a long day’s rid

before him. The trail was a little easiehan it had been, for each man who led th

pack-horse along it had hewn througsome obstacle, but it was still sufficientl



started as he came in.

“I have been expecting you,” she said. Shgave him her hand and her eyes met hiwith a look of anxiety. She noticed hiappearance of weariness and the conditioof his clothing. “I can get you somethin

dry to put on,” she added.“No,” said Nasmyth, “you must norouble. I would be quite as wet again

soon after I leave here. If I can borrow

horse, I must push on to the railroad in ahour.”

“To-night?” asked Laura. “After riding in

from the cañon, it’s out of the questionBesides, you could never get through thWillow Ford. Listen to the rain.”

asmyth sank wearily into the neares



chair, and heard the deluge lash thshingled roof.

“I’m afraid it must be done,” he declared.

Laura laid supper upon the table, annsisted that he should eat before she mad

any reference to the object she had i

hand. Then, while he sat beside the stovwith his clothes steaming, she looked ahim steadily, and a little colour crept intoher face.

“I wonder if you can guess why I sent foyou?” she said.

“Where is your father?” Nasmyth aske

abruptly.

“In Victoria. He left six days ago. suppose he sent you no word that he wa

going.”



“No,” answered Nasmyth very dryly, “hcertainly didn’t. I don’t think I could havexpected it from him.”

He sat silent for almost a minute, lookinat her with a troubled air, and thougLaura was very quiet, her manner wa

vaguely suggestive of tension. It waasmyth who broke the silence.

“I believe you have something to tell meMiss Waynefleet,” he said. “Still, I would

sooner you didn’t, if it will hurt you. Afteall, it’s rather more than possible that can arrive at the information by somother means.”

The tinge of colour grew plainer iLaura’s face, but it was evident that shaid a firm restraint upon herself. “Ah!

she cried, “it has hurt me horribly already



can’t get over the shame of it. But thasn’t what I meant to speak of. I feel”––

and her voice grew tense and strained––“

must try to save you and the others from piece of wicked treachery.”

She straightened herself, and there was

flash in her eyes, but Nasmyth raised onhand.

“No,” he protested, almost sternly, “can’t let you do this. You would

remember it ever afterwards with regret.”

The girl seemed to nerve herself for aeffort, and when she spoke her voice wa

mpressively quiet.“You must listen and try to understand,”she said.

“It is not only because it would hurt me t



see you and the others tricked out of whayou have worked so hard for that I feel must tell you. If there was nothing mor

han that, I might, perhaps, never have tolyou, after all. I want to save my fathefrom a shameful thing.” Her voice brokaway, and the crimson flush on her fac

deepened as she went on again. “He habeen offering to sell land that can’t belono him,” she asserted accusingly.

asmyth felt sorry for her, and he made aattempt to offer her a grain of consolation

“A few acres are really his,” he said. “made them over to him.”

“To be his only if he did his share, andwhen the scheme proved successful,Laura interrupted. “I know, if he has sold

hem, what an opportunity of harassing yo



t will give the men who are plottinagainst you. Still, now you know, you canperhaps, break off the bargain. I want yo

o do what you can”––and she glanced ahim with a tense look in her eyes––“if it ionly to save him.”

“That,” replied Nasmyth quietly, “is, foquite another reason, the object I have iview. I would like you to understand that have guessed that he had failed us already

t may be some little consolation. Nowperhaps, you had better tell me exactlwhat you know.”



Laura did so, and it proved to be no morhan Nasmyth had suspected. Letters ha

passed between Waynefleet and

somebody in Victoria, and the day after heft for that city two men, who ha

evidently crossed him on the way, arrivedat the ranch. One said his name wa

Hames, and his conversation suggestehat he supposed the girl was acquainte

with her father’s affairs. In any case, whahe said made it clear that he had eithepurchased, or was about to purchase froWaynefleet, certain land in the valleyAfter staying half an hour, the men had

Laura understood, set out again foVictoria.

When she had told him this, Nasmyth sahoughtfully silent a minute or two. He



courage and hatred of injustice had stirrehim deeply, for he knew what it must havcost her to discuss the subject of he

father’s wrongdoing with him. He waalso once more overwhelmingly sorry foher. There was nobody she could turn tofor support or sympathy, and it wa

evident that if he succeeded in foilinHames, it would alienate her from hefather. Waynefleet, he felt, was not likelyo forgive her for the efforts she had mado save him from being drawn into an ac

of profitable treachery.

“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought

“I am going on to Victoria to see what canbe done, but there is another matter that iroubling me. I wonder if it has occurreo you that your father will find it ver



difficult to stay on at the ranch when thpart he has played becomes apparent. I aalmost afraid the boys will be vindictive.

“I believe he has not expected to carry ohe ranch much longer. It is heavil

mortgaged, and he has been continuall

pressed for money.”“Has he any plans?”

Laura smiled wearily. “He has alway

plans. I believe he intends to go to one ohe towns on Puget Sound, and start a lanagency.” She made a dejected gesture. “don’t expect him to succeed in it, bu

perhaps I could earn a little.”asmyth set his lips tight, and there wa

concern in his face. She looked verforlorn, and he knew that she wa



friendless. He could hardly bring himselo contemplate the probability of her bein

cast adrift, saddled with a man who, i

was evident, would only involve her ifresh disasters, and, he fancied, reproacher as the cause of them. A gleam of angecrept into his eyes.

“If your father had only held on with us, could have saved you this,” he observed.

There was a great sadness in Laura’

smile.

“Still,” she replied, “he didn’t, anperhaps you couldn’t have expected it o

him. He sees only the difficulties, and I aafraid never tries to face them.”

asmyth felt his self-control desertinhim. He was conscious of an almos



overwhelming desire to save the girl frohe results of her father’s dishonesty an

folly, and he could see no way in which i

could be done. Then it was borne in upohim that in another moment or two hwould probably say or do something thahe would regret afterwards, and sh

would resent, and, rising stiffly, he heldout his hand.

“I must push on to the railroad,” he said

and he held the hand she gave him in firm clasp. “Miss Waynefleet, you savedmy life, and I believe I owe you quite amuch in other ways. It’s a fact that neithe

of us can attempt to disregard. I want yoo promise that you will, at least, not leavhe ranch without telling me.”

Laura flashed a quick glance at him, an



perhaps she saw more than he suspecten his insistent gaze, for she strove t

draw her hand away. He held it fast

however, while his nerves thrilled and hiheart beat furiously. He rememberedViolet Hamilton vaguely, but there cameupon him a compelling desire to draw thi

girl to whom he owed so much into hiarms and comfort her. They both stoodvery still a moment, and Nasmyth hearhe snapping of the stove with a startlin

distinctness. Then––and it cost him strenuous effort––he let her hand go.

“You will promise,” he insisted hoarsely.

“Yes,” answered Laura, “before I goaway I will tell you.”

asmyth went out into the blackness an

he rain, while Laura sat trembling unti



she heard the beat of his horse’s hoofsThen she sank lower, a limp huddledfigure, in the canvas chair. The stov

snapped noisily, and the pines outside seup a doleful wailing, but, except for that, iwas very still in the desolate ranch.

asmyth rode on until he borrowed fresh horse from a man who lived a fewmiles along the trail. There was a cheerfuight from the windows as he rode into

ittle settlement, and the trail to thrailroad led through dripping forest anover a towering range, but he did not drawbridle. He was aching all over, and th

water ran from his garments, but hscarcely seemed to feel his wearineshen, and he pushed on resolutely throughe rain up the climbing trail.



He remembered very little of that ridafterwards, or what he thought abouduring it. The strain of the last few

minutes he had passed at Waynefleet’sranch had left him dazed, and part of hinumbness, at least, was due to wearinessSeveral times he was almost flung fro

he saddle as the horse scrambled down slope of rock. Willow-branches lashedhim as he pushed through the thickets, ann one place it was only by a grim efforhat he drove the frightened beast to ford

flooded creek. Then there was a strip ohillside to be skirted, where the slope wa

almost sheer beneath the edge of thwinding trail, and the rain that drove uphe valley beat into his eyes. Still he hel

on, and two hours after sunrise rode hal

asleep into the little mining town. Ther



was a train in the station, and, turning thhorse over to a man he met, he climbeddripping as he was, into a car.



CHAPTER XXIX

A FUTILE SCHEME

There was bright sunshine at Bonavistwhen Nasmyth, who had been told at thstation that Acton had arrived froVictoria the day before, limped out frohe shadow of the surrounding Bush, an

stood still a moment or two, glancin

across the trim lawn and terrace towardhe wooden house. The spacious dwellinggay with its brightly painted latticshutters, dainty scroll-work, an

colonnades of wooden pillars, ros



against the sombre woods, and hwondered with some anxiety whether MrsActon had many guests in it. He had n

desire to fall in with any strangers, for hwas worn out and aching, and he stilwore the old duck clothing in which hhad left the cañon. It might, he fancied, b

possible to slip into the house and changbefore he presented himself to MrsActon, though he was by no means surhat the garments in the valise he carrien his hand were dry. He could se

nobody on the terrace, and moved forwarhastily until he stopped in consternation a

he crossed one of the verandas. Thsunlight streamed in, and Mrs. Acton andViolet Hamilton sat upon the seat whicran along the back of it. The girl starte

when she saw him, and Nasmyth stoo



ooking down on her, worn in face andheavy-eyed, with his workman’s garbclinging, tight and mire-stained, about hi

imbs. There was, however, a certaigrimness in his smile. He had seen thgirl’s start and her momentary shrinkingand it occurred to him that there was

significance in the fact that it had nogreatly hurt him.

“I must make my excuses for turning up i

his condition,” he apologized. “I had tstart for the railroad at a moment’s noticeand it rained all the way, while, when reached it, the train was in the depôt. You

see, my business is rather urgent.”Mrs. Acton laughed. “Evidently,” shesaid. “I think we were both a trifle startle

when we saw you. I should be sorry t



hear that anything had gone seriouslwrong, but you remind one of the man whbrought the news of Flodden.”

asmyth made a quick gesture of denia“Well,” he announced bravely, “oustandard is flying yet, and I almost thin

we can make another rally or two. Still, have come for reinforcements. Mr. Actons in?”

“He is. As it happened, he came up fro

Victoria yesterday. I believe he idiscussing some repairs to the steamewith George just now. I’ll send you out plate of something and a glass of wineYou can’t have had any lunch.”

Mrs. Acton rose, and Nasmyth, who sadown, looked at Violet with a smile. Sh

was evidently not quite at ease.



“You really haven’t welcomed me veryeffusively,” he remarked.

The girl flushed. “I don’t think I could bblamed for that,” she returned. “I wastartled.”

“And perhaps just a little annoyed?”

The colour grew plainer in Violet’cheeks. “Well,” she averred, “that isn’t sovery unnatural. After all, I don’t mind

admitting that I wish you hadn’t come likhis.”

asmyth glanced down at his attire, annodded gravely. “It’s certainly no

altogether becoming,” he admitted. “made that hole drilling, but I fancied I hamended the thing. Still, you see, I had tstart on the moment, and I rode most o



glass of wine from the tray she laid upon ittle table.

“To the brightest eyes in this Province!”he said, when the servant had gone, andemptying the glass, he fell upon the foovoraciously.

t was unfortunate that in such unattractivguise he had come upon Violet, and thfashion in which he ate also had its effecon her. In the last thirty hours he had had

only one hasty meal, and he showed voracity that offended her fastidious tasteHe was worn out and anxious, and sincall his thoughts were fixed upon thbusiness that he had in hand, he could norouse himself to act according to thmanner expected of a lover who return

after a long absence. It was, however



once more borne in upon him that this wasignificant.

Violet, on her part, felt repelled by himHe was gaunt and lean, and the state of higarments had shocked her. His hands werhard and battered. She was very dainty

and in some respects unduly sensitive, ant did not occur to her that it would havbeen more natural if, in place of shrinkingshe had been sensible only of a tender pit

for him. Perhaps there were excuses foher attitude. She had never been broughnto contact with the grim realities of life

and it is only from those whom that befall

hat one can expect the wide sympathwhich springs from comprehension

asmyth, lounging at Bonavista witamusing speeches on his lips and his air o



easy deference, had been a somewharomantic figure, and the glimpses of thstruggle in the Bush that he had given he

had appealed to her imagination. Shcould feel the thrill of it when she saw ihrough his eyes with all the unpleasantl

realistic features carefully wiped out, bu

t was different now that he had comback to her with the dust and stain of thconflict fresh upon him. The evidences ohis strife were only repulsive, and shshrank from them. She watched him with growing impatience until he rose and laihis empty plate aside.

“Well,” he observed, “you will excuseme. I must see Mr. Acton as soon as can.”

t was not in any way a tactful speech, an



Violet resented it. The man, it seemed, haonly deferred the business he had on hanfor a meal. She looked at him with he

displeasure flashing in her eyes.“In that case,” she said, “I should, ocourse, be sorry to keep you away fro

him.”asmyth gazed at her curiously, but he did

not reply. He went away from her. A fewminutes later when he entered Acton’

room he was attired in conventionafashion. His host shook hands with himand then leaned back in a chair, waitinfor him to speak, which he did with race of diffidence.

“My object is to borrow money,” hexplained frankly. “I couldn’t resent it i

he least if you sent me on to somebod



else.”

“I’ll hear what you have to say in the firscase,” replied Acton. “You had betteexplain exactly how you stand.”

asmyth did so as clearly as he could, anActon looked at him thoughtfully for

moment or two.“I’ve been partly expecting this,” hobserved. “It’s quite clear that one or two

of the big land exploitation people have hand in the thing. I guess I could put mfinger right down on them. You said theman’s name was Hames?”

asmyth said it was, and Acton sahinking for several minutes.

“It seems to me that the folks I have in m

mind haven’t been quite smart enough,” h



declared at length. “They should have puup a sounder man. As it happens, I know ittle about the one they fixed upon. Mr

Hames is what you could call professional claim-jumper, and it’fortunate that there’s a weak spot or twon his career.”

Acton paused, and Nasmyth waited iense expectancy until the older maurned to him again, with a twinkle in hi

eyes.“I almost think I can take a hand in thihing, and to commence with, we’ll g

down to Victoria this afternoon and calon Mr. Hames,” he added. “If he habought that land, it will probably bregistered in his name. The men you hav

against you are rather fond of working i



he dark. Then we come to another point––what it would be wisest to do witWaynefleet, who went back on you. You

said he had a mortgage on his ranch. Youknow who holds it?”

asmyth said he did not know, and Acton

nodded. “Any way,” he rejoined, “we caascertain it in the city. Now, I guess youwould like that man run right out of thneighbourhood? It would be safest, and i

might perhaps be done.”asmyth was startled by this suggestion

and with a thoughtful face he sawondering what was most advisable. Hbore Waynefleet very little good-will, but was clear that Laura must share anrouble that befell her father, and he could

not at any cost lay a heavier load upo



her. He was conscious that Acton wawatching him intently.

“No,” he objected, “I don’t want hidriven out. In fact, I should be satisfiewith making it impossible for him to entento any arrangement of the kind again.”

“In that case, I guess we’ll try to buy uphis mortgage,” remarked Acton. “Land’going to be dearer in that districpresently.”

asmyth looked at him with a littlconfusion. “It is very kind, but, after all, have no claim on you.”

“No,” agreed Acton, with a smile, “youhaven’t in one way. This is, however, akind of thing I’m more at home in than yoseem to be, and there was a little promis



made your uncle. For another thing”––and he waved his hand––“I’m going take a reasonable profit out of you.”

asmyth made no further objections, anhey set out for Victoria that afternoon

Hames was, however, not readily traced

and when, on the following morning, thesat in Acton’s office waiting hiappearance, Nasmyth was conscious of painful uncertainty. Acton, with a smile on

his face, leaned back in his chair untiHames was shown in. Hames was a bigbronze-faced man, plainly dressed in citclothes, but there was, Nasmyth noticed,

race of half-furtive uneasiness in his eyesActon looked up at him quietly, and lehim stand for several moments. Then hwaved his hand toward a chair.



“Won’t you sit down? We have got tohave a talk,” said Acton. “I’ll come righo the point. You have have been buying

and.”Hames sat down. “I can’t quite figure howhat concerns you,” he replied. “I’m no

going to worry about it, any way.”“I want that land––the block you boughfrom Waynefleet.”

“It’s not for sale,” asserted Hames. “If yohave nothing else to put before me, I’ll geon. I’m busy this morning.”

Acton leaned forward in his chair. “Whe

’m in the city, I’m usually busy, too,” hesaid; “in fact, I’ve just three or fouminutes to spare for you, and I expect tget through in that time. To begin with, yo



sent Mr. Hutton a note from your hotewhen my clerk came for you. He never got. You can have it back unopened. I can

guess what’s in the thing.” He handedHames an envelope. “Now,” he went on“you can make a fuss about it, but I guest wouldn’t be wise. Hutton doesn’t know

quite as much about you as I do. I’ve had finger in most of what has been done ihis Province the last few years, and it’

not often I forget a man. Well, I guess could mention one or two little affairs thawere not altogether creditable which yohad a share in.”

Hames laughed. “It’s quite likely.”“Still, what you don’t know is that I’m ohe inside track of what was done whe

he Hobson folks jumped the Black Cra



claim. There was considerable troublover the matter.”

asmyth saw Hames start, but happarently braced himself with an effort.

“Any way,” replied Hames, “that wamost four years ago, and there’s not

man who had a hand in it in this Provincnow.”

Acton shook his head. “There’s one. I can

put my hand on your partner Okanagon Jiust when I want to.”

There was no doubt that Hames waalarmed.

“Jim was drowned crossing the river thnight the water broke into the Black Crashaft,” he declared.



“His horse was, and the boys found hihat. That, however, is quite a played-ourick. If you’re not satisfied, I can fix it fo

you to meet him here any time you like.”Hames made a motion oacknowledgment. “I don’t want to se

him––that’s a sure thing! I guess you knowt was fortunate that Jim and two or threof the other boys got out of the shaft thanight. Well, I guess that takes me. If Jim’

around, I’ll put down my cards.”“It’s wisest,” advised Acton. “Now, I’mgoing to buy that land Waynefleet soldfrom you––or, rather, he’s going to giveyou your money back for it. You canarrange the thing with Hutton––who, believe, supplied the money––afterward

as best you can.”



asmyth fancied Hames was relieved thano more was expected from him.

“I guess I’m in your hands,” observeHames.

“Then,” Acton said, “you can wait in mclerk’s office until I’m ready to go ove

with you to Waynefleet’s hotel.”Hames went out, and Acton turned to

asmyth. “He was hired with a few other

o jump the claim he mentioned, and therwas trouble over it. As usual, just whahappened never quite came out, but thaman left his partner to face the boys, wh

scarcely managed to escape with theiives that night. The man who holdWaynefleet’s mortgage should be here aany moment.”



The man arrived in a few minutes. Aftehe had sat down and had taken the cigaActon offered him, he was ready to tal

business.“You have a mortgage on RancheWaynefleet’s holding in the Bush,” said

Acton. “I understand you’ve had somrouble in getting what he owes you.”

The man nodded. “That’s certainly thcase,” he said. “I bought up quite a lot o

and before I laid down the mill, but aftedid that I let most of it go. In fact, I’

quite willing to let up on Waynefleet’sholding, too. I can’t get a dollar out ohim.”

“Have you offered to sell the mortgage tanybody?”



“I saw Martial and the Charters peoplnot long ago. They’d give about eightcents on the dollar. Hutton said he’d mak

me a bid, but he didn’t.”“Well,” said Acton, “my friend here wanthat ranch for a particular purpose. He’

bid you ninety.”“I can’t do it. If the new roads that havbeen suggested are made, the ranch ougho bring me a little more. Still, I don’

mind letting you in at what I gave for it.”

Acton looked at Nasmyth.

“Then,” said Acton, “we’ll call it

bargain. You can write me a note to thaeffect, and I’ll send my clerk across withe papers presently.”

The man went out a few minutes later, and



any use for fighting.”

There was consternation in Waynefleet’sface, but he straightened himself with aeffort.

“I suppose you have brought this man, Mrasmyth, and I scarcely think it is quit

what one would have expected froyou––at least, until you had afforded mhe opportunity of offering you a

explanation,” he blustered.

“Can you offer me one that any sensiblman would listen to?” Nasmyth askesharply.

“He can’t,” Acton broke in. “We’re out onbusiness. You may as well make it cleahat we understand the thing.”

Waynefleet turned and looked at Acton



with lifted brows, and had he been lesangry, Nasmyth could have laughed at hiattitude. Waynefleet’s air of superciliou

resentment was inimitable.“You have some interest in this affair?” henquired.

“Oh, yes,” answered Acton cheerfully“Still, you needn’t worry about me. Alyou have to do is to hand this man over thmoney and record the new sale. We don’

want any unpleasantness, but it has to bdone.”

Waynefleet appeared to recognize tha

here was no remedy.“In that case there is the difficulty that can’t quite raise the amount paid,” he said“Travelling and my stay in the city hav



cost me something.”

“How much are you short?”

“About a hundred dollars.”“Then,” replied Acton, “I’ll take a bill fohe money. We’ll go along and record the

sale as soon as Mr. Nasmyth’s ready. expect he has something to say to you.”

Acton went into the hotel with Hames, anhere was an awkward silence when the

had disappeared. Nasmyth leaned againsa wooden pillar, and Waynefleet sat stillwaiting for him to speak. Nasmyth turneo him.

“It would, perhaps, be preferable tregard this affair from a strictly businespoint of view,” said Nasmyth. “You are

of course, in our hands, but to save you



credit and to protect Miss Waynefleefrom any embarrassment, we shalprobably not insist upon your handin

over the land to anybody else. I think ware safe in doing that. Now that you havsignally failed, you will not have nervenough to attempt to betray us again.”

Waynefleet waved his hand. “I resent theattitude you have adopted. It is not by anmeans what I am accustomed to, or shoul

have expected from you.”asmyth felt a faint, contemptuous pity fo

he man, who still endeavoured to retaihis formality of manner.

“I’m afraid that hasn’t any great effect ome, and my attitude is, at least, a naturaone,” he said. “I believe that Gordon and

can arrange that the boys do not hear o



your recent action, and though you wilake no further part in our affairs, you wil

stay on at the ranch. I may mention that

have just bought up your mortgage.”A flush of anger showed in Waynefleet’scheeks.

“Is it in any way your business where ive?” he asked.

“No,” answered Nasmyth, “not in th

east––that is, as far as it affects yourselfStill, I am determined that MisWaynefleet shall have no fresh cause foanxiety. I don’t mind admitting that I ow

a great deal to her.” He paused for moment, and then turned to Waynefleewith a forceful gesture. “When you havbought back the land from Hames, I don

suppose you will have a dollar in you



possession, and the ranch belongs to meAs I said, you will stay––at least, untiyou can satisfy me that you can maintai

yourself and Miss Waynefleet in somedegree of comfort if you go away. Now believe the others are waiting. We will goalong and get the sale recorded.”



and cedar. Summer was breaking suddenlupon the mountain-land, but Wheeler, whohad crossed the divide in bright sunshine

was sensible of a certain shrinking as hglanced down into the depths of the cañonA chilly mist streamed up out of it, and thgreat rift looked black and grim an

forbidding.Wheeler noticed a dusky figure beneathe firs, and, moving towards it, cam

upon a man with a pipe in his hand, sittinupon a fallen tree. In view of the strenuouactivity that was the rule in the cañonsuch leisure was unusual.

“Well,” he remarked, “you don’t seembusy, any way.”

The man grinned. “I’m looking out,” h

replied. “Guess I’ve had my eye on yo



for the last few minutes, and a strangewouldn’t have got quite so far. Youhaven’t got any papers from the courts o

you?”“No,” said Wheeler, who noticed thahere was a rifle lying near the man, “

haven’t. Still, if I’d looked like a lawyeor a court officer–––”

“Then,” asserted the man, “it’s a surhing you wouldn’t have got in. The boy

have enough giant-powder rammed inthe heading to lift the bottom right out ohe cañon two minutes after any suspiciou

stranger comes along.”

Wheeler laughed, for it was evident to hihat Nasmyth had been taking precautions

and, turning away, he led his horse down

he gully. It grew colder as he proceeded



and a chilly breeze swept the white misabout him. The trees, that shook big dropof moisture down on him, were wailing

but he could hear them only faintly throughe clamour of the fall. He left the hors

with a man he came upon lower downand, reaching the shingle at the water’

edge, saw the great derrick swing blacathwart the glare of a big fire. The smokwhirled about the dark rock wall, and herand there dusky figures were toiling kneedeep amid the white froth of the rapidThe figures emerged from the blacknesand vanished into it again, as th

flickering radiance rose and felScrambling to the ledge above the falWheeler found two men standing near thmouth of the heading, which was just leve

with the pool.



“Where’s Nasmyth, boys?” he inquired.

“Inside,” answered one of the men“Guess he’s wedging up the heading. Iyou want him, you’d better crawl right in.

Wheeler glanced down at the black moutof the tunnel, on which the streamin

radiance fell. He fancied that the riveflowed into it, and the man’s suggestiondid not appeal to him.

“Won’t you tell him that I’d like a talkwith him?” he asked.

The man laughed. “Guess that’s not goino bring him. It will be daylight, any way

before he lets up. You’ll have to go righn.”

Wheeler dropped cautiously upon

slippery staging, across which the wate



flowed, and, crawling into the headingwith a blinking light in his eyes, fell into sled that was loaded with broken rock. H

crept round the obstruction, and a fewmoments later found himself knee-deep iwater before a little dam that had beehrown across the heading. The headin

dipped sharply beyond it, whicsomewhat astonished him, and when hhad climbed over the barricade, hdescended cautiously, groping towardanother light. Big drops of water fell upohim, and here and there a jet of it spurteout. At last he stopped, and saw Nasmyt

ying, partly raised on one elbow, in annch or two of water, while he painfullyswung a heavy hammer. The heading wained with stout pillars, made of sawn-up

firs, and Nasmyth appeared to be driving



wedge under one of them. Two or threeother men were putting heavy masses oimber into place.

The smoky flame of a little lamp flareupon the rock above, which trickled witmoisture, and the light fell upo

asmyth’s wet face, which was deeplflushed. Nasmyth gasped heavily, andgreat splashes of sand and mire lay thicupon his torn, drenched shirt. He appeare

o see Wheeler, for he looked up, but hdid not stop until he had driven the wedgn. Then he rose to his knees and stretche

himself wearily.

“The rock’s badly fissured. We’ve got toget double timbers in as soon as we can,he explained. “I’m going to do som

boring. We’ll go along.”



Wheeler crept after him down the inclineheading until they reached the spot wherGordon sat crouched over a machine

Gordon did not move until Nasmyth seizehis shoulders.

“You can get back to the wedging, and

send two or three boys along to heave thwater out. I’ll keep this thing going,” hsaid.

Gordon, who greeted Wheeler, floundered

away, and Wheeler sat down in the dryesspot he could find, while Nasmyth graspehe handle of the machine.

“There’s no reason why you shouldn’smoke,” he said.

“That,” replied Wheeler, “is a point I’not quite sure about. How many sticks o



giant-powder have you rammed into thiheading? As you know, it’s apt to be aittle uncertain.”

asmyth laughed as he glanced at thflaring lamp above his head. “There’s hole with a stick in it just at your elbow

’ve been filling the holes as we madhem. In view of what I expect those folkn the city are arranging, it seeme

advisable.”

Wheeler was sensible of a certaiuneasiness as he listened to the crunch ohe boring tool and the jarring thud of th

hammers.

“What are you going so far down for?” hasked.

“To get into sounder rock. It’s costing us



considerable time that we can badlspare, but once or twice I fancied thwhole river was coming in on us. Now

we’re getting almost through, I want tmake quite sure.”

Wheeler nodded. “I guess that’s wise. So

far, we have come out ahead of Hutton anhe rest of them,” he asserted. “Our peoplhold the timber rights, and we have got thshingle-splitting plant in. You headed him

off in Waynefleet’s case, and there onlyremains the man with the old Bush claimThere’s, unfortunately, no doubt about hiitle to the ranch, and it’s a sure thing th

folks in the city will put him up againHave you heard from him lately?”

“I have,” answered Nasmyth, with

smile. “As you know, I made him half



dozen different offers to buy him out. Hnaturally didn’t close with them, but hwrote trying to raise me, and kept the thin

up rather well. Of course, it was evidenhat his friends were quite willing to le

me get most of the work done before theshowed their hand too visibly. I scarcel

fancy they know how near we are tgetting through, though that rancher man’awyer said something about takin

proceedings a little while ago.”

“Suppose they went to court, and serveyou with a notice to quit what you’rdoing?”

asmyth, turning, pointed with a wescarred hand to several holes in the sidof the heading, from which a wir

projected.



“Well,” he said, “they’d have to serve itand while their man was trying to gedown the gully I’d rip most of the botto

out of this strip of cañon. I’m not sure whaven’t gone far enough already to split uphe whole ridge that’s holding back th

river. Still, I’m going on a little. I mean to

make sure.” He bent over the machine“You have brought up some letters? Theman has, perhaps, been trying to worry magain.”

“Two or three,” replied Wheeler. “called at the settlement for them. One ievidently from a lady.”

asmyth swung round again and took thittle dainty envelope from him. H

smeared it with his wet hands as h

opened it, and then his voice brok



sharply through the thud of the hammers.

“Can’t you move? I’m too far from thaamp,” he said.

He scrambled by Wheeler and croucheclose beneath the smoky, flickering flamedripping, spattered with mire, and ver

grim in face. The note was from VioleHamilton, and it was brief.

“I should like to see you as soon as yo

can get away,” it read. “There isomething I must say, and since it mighspare both of us pain, I feel almosempted to try to explain it now. That

however, would perhaps be weak of meand I think you will, after all, not blamme very greatly.”

He flung the note down in the water, and



straightened himself wearily.

“I am invited to go down to Bonavistaand it’s tolerably clear that I have anotherouble to face,” he announced in a dulone. “In the meanwhile there’s thi

heading to be pushed on, and it seems t

me that the thing that counts most is what owe the boys.”

Wheeler, who had heard something froGordon, looked at him with grav

sympathy, but Nasmyth made aexpressive gesture as he glanced down ahis attire.

“Well,” he remarked, “I probably lookvery much what I am––a played-out boreof headings and builder of dams, who haust now everything against him. Still,

was fool enough to indulge in some ver



alluring fancies a little while ago.” Hurned to Wheeler with a sudden flash i

his eyes. “You can take those letters to

Gordon and tell him to open them. I’ve ittle trouble to grapple with, and I don’

feel inclined for conversation.”

Wheeler could take a hint, and he crawleaway along the heading, while Nasmytoiled for the next half-hour strenuously ahe machine. The perspiration drippe

from him. He gasped as he ripped thhandle around; then he let it go suddenlyand his face became softer as he picked uhe letter again.

“Well,” he told himself, “I don’t think can blame her, after all, and with what shhas to say it would hurt if I kept he

waiting.”



He sat down again at the machine, and thboring tool crunched on steadily into throck until after some time, a man took hi

place, and, crouching in the narrowheading, swung the heavy hammer as thewedged the extra timbers fast. A faint greyight was creeping into the eastern sk

when Nasmyth crawled out of the headinand scrambled back to the shanty. Gordonwho was getting up when he enteredooked at him curiously.

“I’m going into Bonavista after breakfast,asmyth said. “I don’t want to leave th

boys now, but I can’t help it.”

Gordon asked no injudicious questionsfor Wheeler had mentioned the letter, andhis comrade’s voice had its significanc

for him.



“Then,” he said, “I’ll tell Mattawa to havhe horse ready.”

asmyth slept soundly until the meal waaid out. He rode into the settlement ittle before dark that night. It was the nex

afternoon when he reached Bonavista, an

he found Violet Hamilton sitting upon thveranda alone. She appeared embarrassewhen she saw him, and he leaned againsone of the pillars, quietly looking down o

her. For a moment or two neither of thesaid anything, and it was Nasmyth whbroke the awkward silence.

“I felt very bitter when I got that note,” hsaid. “When I grappled with the thinghowever, I commenced to realize that yomight be right. Of course, I quite realize

all you wished to imply.”



“Ah!” answered the girl softly, “then yoare not very angry with me.” She leaneforward and met his gaze. “I think w

were both very nearly making a terriblmistake.”

“I scarcely think that is a thing you coul

expect me to admit––that is, at least, as faas my part in it goes,” said Nasmyth.

“Still,” replied Violet, “you admitted thayou felt I might be right.”

She looked anxious, and Nasmyth realizehat, since she might have written what sh

had to say, it must have cost her a good

deal to break with him personally. Thcourage which had prompted her tsummon him appealed to him, and, iplace of anger, he was conscious of

certain sympathy for her.



“In one sense you were certainly right,” hsaid. “We belong to different worlds, and

should never have spoken to you as I did

That is a thing you must try to forgive meand you have no reason to blame yourselfAs I told you at the time, you were free.”

“Ah!” cried Violet, “you are vergenerous. After all, I expected that froyou, and I think it will not hurt you vermuch to give me up.”

“I wonder why?” asked Nasmyth gravely.

Violet sat silent a moment or two, and theooked up at him quietly.

“Oh,” she said, “you owe so much to thagirl in the Bush! She would always havcome between us. I think you made mrecognize it when you told me about her



hough it was only by degrees I came tunderstand it clearly.”

asmyth’s face flushed. “That,” hqueried, “is your reason for wishing to gerid of me?”

Violet looked away from him, and ther

was a telltale self consciousness in hemanner when she turned to him again

asmyth, who noticed it, winced.

“Well,” he hazarded, “it was, perhaps, nohe only one.”

“No,” confessed Violet very softly, “therewas another thing which influenced m

rather more.”

asmyth, who understood her, stood silena moment or two, with one hand tightl

closed. “In that case there is nothing to b



said, and I must try to face it gracefully,he told her. “Reproaches are not exactlbecoming in the case of a discarded man.

He took off his wide hat as he held out hihand. “Miss Hamilton, the thing naturallhurts me, but perhaps I cannot reasonablblame you. I’m not sure you could expec

me to go any further now.”“Ah!” exclaimed Violet, “you have madt easy. I would like to assure you of m

good-will.”He held her hand a moment and swunabruptly away. He met Mrs. Acton as hewent down a corridor. He stopped in fronof her, and she looked at hiquestioningly when she saw his face.

“I have not come up to expectations. It is

perhaps, fortunate Miss Hamilton found i



out when she did,” he said.

“Oh!” Mrs. Acton replied, “I told you iwould not be well to stay away verong.”

“I scarcely think the result would havbeen different in any case,” Nasmyt

declared.Mrs. Acton was silent for a moment. Theshe looked at him sharply.

“Where are you going now?” she asked.“Back to the world I belong to,” answere

asmyth,––“to the railroad, in the firs

case. I’m not sure that Miss Hamiltowould like to feel that I was in the house.”

Mrs. Acton made no protest, and teminutes later he had crossed the clearin



and plunged into the Bush.

Mrs. Acton, crossing the veranda, laid hehand on the girl’s shoulder.

“I naturally don’t know what he said tyou, but I can’t help believing that hacquitted himself rather well,” sh

observed. “After all, it must have been ittle painful to him.”

“Perhaps it was,” replied Violet. “Still,

don’t think it hurt him dreadfully.”She was more or less correct in thisurmise, for, as Nasmyth walked ohrough the Bush, he became conscious o

a faint relief.



CHAPTER XXXI

THE LAST SHOT

Laura Waynefleet was preparingbreakfast, and the door of the ranch stooopen, when she heard the sharp clatter ohe flung-down slip-rails in the fenc

across the clearing jar upon the stillnesof the surrounding woods. It was early i

he morning, and since it was evident thatf the strangers who were approachincame from the settlement, they must havset out as soon as it was light, she decide

hat their business was probably urgent



Laying down the frying-pan in which shwas making flapjacks, she moved towarhe door, and stood watching two men rid

across the clearing in the direction of thhouse. They did not belong to thsettlement, for she had never seen either ohem before, a fact which made it clea

hat they had not ridden in from the cañonShe had quick eyes, and she noticed thatalthough they could not have ridden verfar that morning, their horses appeareaded, which suggested that they had mad

a long journey the previous day. The meappeared weary, too, and she imagined

hat they were not accustomed to the BushAs she watched them she wondered with race of uneasiness what their busines

could be, and decided that it was



perhaps, as well that her father was busn the stable, where he could not hear the

arrive. Since Gordon usually called at th

ranch when he went down to thsettlement, she was more or lesacquainted with what was being done ahe cañon and with Nasmyth’s affairs, and

she was on her guard when one of thstrangers pulled his horse up close in fronof her.

“Can we hire a couple of horses here?” hasked. “Ours are played out.”

There was then a cayuse pony iWaynefleet’s stable, but it belonged to aneighbouring rancher, and Laura had nontention of handing it over to th

strangers.

“I’m afraid not,” she answered. “The onl



horse on the ranch does not belong to usand I wouldn’t care to hire it out unless had permission. Besides, I may want i

myself. You could have obtained horses ahe settlement hotel.”

“We didn’t put up there.”

“But you must have come through thsettlement. You have evidently ridden infrom the railroad.”

The man laughed. “Well,” he admitted“we certainly did, but we got off the traiast night, and they took us in at Bullen’

ranch. Soon after we started out a choppe

old us we could save a league by ridinup the valley instead of by the settlementDoes the man you said the horse belongeo live in the neighbourhood?”



Laura did not answer immediately. Shwas quick-witted, and she recognized thatwhile the man’s explanation wa

plausible, there were weak points in iFor one thing, the previous night had nobeen dark, and it was difficult tunderstand how anyone could hav

wandered off the wide trail to thsettlement into the one which led throughick undergrowth to Bullen’s ranch. Sh

guessed that the strangers must have haan object in not visiting the settlementThen there was, it seemed to hersomething suggestive in the fact tha

Bullen, who had a share in Nasmyth’project, and owned several horses, hanot seized upon the opportunity to aid thravellers, for, if he had not been willin

o lend his horses, it could only have bee



because he was a little dubious about thstrangers.

“The man who owns the horse lives aeast an hour’s ride away,” she informedhe stranger. “You are going on into the

Bush?”

“Yes,” answered the man. “Can you tell uhe easiest way to reach the cañon?”

Laura was glad that he had asked for th

easiest route, for soon after the snow hagone, Nasmyth had broken out a shorteand somewhat perilous trail over thsteepest part of the divide. Only the pack

horses now went round by the longer wayShe thought hard for a moment or two, anhen told the man how to find the old trail

He rode away with his companion, an



Laura’s face was thoughtful when she sadown again. She made a hasty breakfastand went out to the stable. Waynefleet wa

still busy when she reached it, and shook down the side-saddle before shurned to him.

“I have left your breakfast ready, but yomust excuse me,” she announced; “I agoing to the cañon.”

Waynefleet raised his brows and looked

at her with his most precise air, butseeing that had no effect, he made gesture of resignation.

“Very well,” he said. “I presume you donot, as usual, think it worth while tacquaint me with your object.”

Laura laughed. “I’m not exactly sure of i



myself. I may tell you a little more when come back.”

She led the horse out, and, crossing thclearing, rode hard for a league or so, anhen made sure by the prints of thei

horses’ feet that the strangers had

followed her instructions before shstruck into the shorter trail. It wascarcely wide enough to ride along, anfor a while dense thickets of fern an

undergrowth closed in on it. Further on, iskirted a quaggy swamp, and led througseveral rapid creeks, while here and thergreat fallen trees compelled her to tur

aside, and there were groves of willowo be painfully struggled through. Th

cayuse she rode was, however, more oess accustomed to that kind of work, an



she made tolerable progress until shreached the foot of the big divide. Thershe dismounted, and led the cayuse up

steep gully through which a torrenpoured. They stumbled amidst biboulders and over slippery shingle untihey reached the head of the gully, and

hen there were almost precipitous slopeof rock to be faced. They climbed for couple of hours, and Laura gasped witrelief when at last she stood upon the cresof the divide.

The descent was perilous, but already thsun hung low above the western hills, an

she went down in the saddle with thcayuse slipping and stumbling horriblyuntil the roar of the river came faintly uo her. Then she drew bridle, and glanced



ruefully at her attire. Her skirt was rent iplaces, and one little shoe had burst. Abranch that had torn her hat off ha

oosened a coil of gleaming hair, andanxious as she was, she stopped foseveral minutes to set these matterstraight as far as it was possible. Ther

was, she felt, after all, no reason whasmyth should see her in that state. The

she rode on, and a little later a maappeared among the pines at the head ohe gully. She was very weary when sh

got down beside him.

“Have two strangers arrived here yet?

she asked.“They haven’t,” answered the man.

Laura was glad she had undertaken th

ourney when she saw the sudde



ntentness of his face.

“Two of them are on the trail?” henquired sharply.

“Yes,” said Laura. “They have gone roundby the pack-horse trail. I rode in by thnew one.”

The man was astonished that she haaccomplished the trip, and she saw that hwas troubled.

“Well,” he advised, “you had better goright on and tell Nasmyth as quick as yocan. It’s my business to see no strangerget in, or I’d go with you.”

Laura left the horse with him, anddescending the gully, found an unusuanumber of men busy beside the river. I

fact, she believed that all those who ha



been at work in the valley must havcrossed the range to the cañon. It was alsevident from their faces that most of the

were in a state of eager expectationSomething out of the usual course waclearly going on. She asked for Nasmythand a few moments later he cam

scrambling towards her along the lostaging. There was, she was quick tnotice, a strained look in his eyes, but hshook hands with her, and thenremembering the state of her attire, shcoloured a little.

“Do you expect two men from the city to

night?” she asked.asmyth started. “I have, at least, bee

wondering when they would turn up,” h

answered. “There are two men of that kin



on the trail?”

His voice was sharp and insistent, anLaura told him hastily about the men whhad called at the ranch.

“From what you say, they can’t well bhere for another hour or two,” he said, an

here was a determined glint in his eyes. “fancy we’ll be through by then.”

He swung around, and raised a hand to th

men. “Boys, you’ll get the last holes fillewith giant-powder as quick as you canand couple up the firing battery. We’ll lifhat rock right out when you’re ready.”

He turned again to Laura. “I’m not suryou understand all that you have done,” hsaid. “For one thing, I think, you havsaved us from being beaten when what w



have fought for was almost in our hand.”

He paused for a moment, and then hivoice became hoarse as he indicated thclustering men with a little forcefugesture.

“They have come in to see the last sho

fired. We had arranged to put in a fewmore sticks of powder, and then lower thriver once for all in another hour or twoSome of the boys are now getting a bi

supper ready to celebrate the occasionbut if you hadn’t brought us the warningt’s scarcely likely that any of us would

have felt much inclined for festivity. In alprobability, those strangers are bringinan order to restrain me from going anfurther. Once it was in my hands, I could

not have fired the shot. All we have don



would have been thrown away.”

“Ah!” cried Laura, “that would bntolerable!”

asmyth laughed significantly.

“Any way,” he declared, “until the paperare served on me, my charter standsWe’ll have scattered the last strip of rockwhen those men ride in.”

He made her a grave little bow. “You se

us to work,” he said. “It is only fitting thayou should once more hold the firinbattery.”

He moved away abruptly from her ancrawled into the heading. It was half ahour later when he came back, and almosevery man who had a share in th

undertaking gathered upon the strip o



shingle. Nobody spoke, however, andhere was tense expectancy in the bronze

faces. Nasmyth beckoned to Laura an

moved forward with Gordon, anWheeler, who carried the battery

asmyth swung his battered hat off as hheld out his hand, and Laura, clinging t

him, climbed to a shelf of rock where shstood still a moment or two, looking abouher.

n front the white spray of the fall whirlebeneath the tremendous wall of rock, anabout her stood groups of hard-handemen, who had driven the heading wit

strenuous, insistent toil. She knew whahe work had cost them, and coul

understand the look in their steady eyesThey had faced the river in the depths o



he tremendous rift, borne with the icwinter, and patiently grappled witobstacle after obstacle. Their money ha

not sufficed to purchase them costlmachines. They had pitted steadfascourage and hardened muscle against thvast primeval forces of untrammelle

ature. Laura felt deeply stirred as shglanced at them. They were simple menbut they had faced and beaten roarinflood and stinging frost, caring little fohe hazard to life or limb as they playeheir part in that tremendous struggle wit

axe and drill.

Suddenly Laura became conscious thaasmyth, who held up a little box fro

which trailed a couple of wires, waspeaking.



“Our last dollars bought that powderWish us good luck,” he said.

Laura stretched out her hands for the boxand standing upon the rock shelf, with onshoe burst and her skirt badly rent, raiseher voice as she had done in that spot onc

before.“Boys,” she said, “you have stood fasagainst very heavy odds. May all that yocan wish for––orchards, oat-fields, wheat

and cattle––be yours. The prosperity ohis country is founded on such efforts a

you have made.”

With a little smile in her eyes, she fitted ihe firing-plug, and in another moment streak of flame that seemed to expand inta bewildering brilliancy flashed throug

he spray of the fall. The flash of light wa



ost in rolling smoke and a tremendoueruption of flying rock that rang witdeafening detonations against the side o

he cañon. The smoke rolled higher, andstill great shattered fragments camwhirling out of it, striking boulder anshingle with a heavy crash, until the roa

of the liberated river rose in tumultuouclamour and drowned all other sound.

A great foaming wave swept forward

washing high along the bank, and poureseething down the rapid. Shingle anboulder were lost in it. It drove oumultuously, and a mad turgid flood cam

on behind. Then it slowly fell away againand a man, clambering out, in peril obeing swept away, beneath the drippinrock, flung up a hand. His voice ran



harsh and exultant through the sinking roaof the beaten river.

“We’ve cut the last ledge clean away,” hesaid.

A great shout went up, and Nasmyth heldout his hand to Laura.

“I owe it all to you,” he said with curious gleam in his eyes.

The men trooped about them both, and

hough they were not as a rule effusivesome of them thumped Nasmyth’s shouldeand some wrung his hand. Half an houhad slipped by before he was free of them

He and Laura went slowly back up thclimbing gully. It was growing dark, but ight still streamed down between th

pines, and Nasmyth, who pointed to a tre



hat had fallen, stood close by, lookindown upon the girl.

“I will ride back with you presently, buyou must rest first; and I have something tsay, though if we had not beaten the river hink I should never have had courag

enough,” he said. “When you found mying in the snow, you took me in; yonursed me back to life, gave me a purposeand set me on my feet again.”

He paused for a moment. A flush dyed hiworn face, and his voice was strainewhen he went on again.

“One result was that I went back to thworld I once belonged to––it was reallyou who sent me––and you know whabefell me there,” he said. “I don’t think

quite forgot what I owed to you, but I wa



carried away. Still, she recognized hefolly and discarded me.”

He stopped again, and Laura looked ahim steadily with a tinge of colour in heface.

“Well,” he continued, “that was when

commenced to understand exactly whayou had been all along to me. I don’t knowwhat came upon me at Bonavista; buhough the thing must seem preposterous,

believe I was in love with you then. Nowhave nothing to bring you. You know al

my weak points, and I could not complaif you would not listen to me. But I hav

come back to you again.”

“Ah!” answered Laura very softly, “afteall, it was fortunate that you went away.

hink it was a relief to me when Wisbec



ook you to the city.”

asmyth looked at her in surprise, and shsmiled at him. “Derrick,” she said, “oncor twice when you were building the dayou fancied that you loved me. I, howeverdidn’t want you to fancy. That was onl

going far enough to hurt me.”asmyth stooped toward her. “In th

height of my folly I had an uneasconsciousness that I belonged to you

Afterwards I was sure. It was a very reahing, but I naturally shrank from comino you. I don’t quite know how I hav

gathered the courage now.”

Laura sat still, and he laid a hand on heshoulder. Then she turned and looked upat him.



“Well,” she confessed very simply, “hink I loved you in the days when yo

were building the dam.”

He bent down and kissed her, and neitheof them ever remembered exactly whahey said.

A few minutes later there was a clatter inhe shadow above them, and two me

came scrambling down, each leading aded horse. Nasmyth rose and turne

oward them when they stopped close ifront of him.

“You have some business with me?” he

nquired.One of them handed him a sealed paperand he opened it with deliberation.

“I may as well tell you that I expecte



his,” he said. He glanced at Laura. “I asummoned to attend in Victoria and showcause why I should not be restrained fro

njuring the holding of a rancher at thhead of the valley. In the meantime I anstructed to carry on the operations in th

cañon no further.”

He turned to the men. “You should havecome along an hour or two ago. I donpropose to do anything further in th

cañon; in fact, I have accomplished thpurpose I had in hand.”

As his meaning dawned on them, the megazed at each other in evidenconsternation, until one of them turned tLaura.

“Well,” he commented, “in that case

guess it’s quite a pity we didn’t, but



begin to understand the thing. This is thyoung lady who told us the trail. She mushave taken a shorter way.”

Laura smiled at him. “You,” she remindedhim, “seemed anxious to go by the easiesone.”

The other man looked at Nasmyth. “I’acting for Hutton, and it seems you havgot ahead of him,” he observed. “Stilwe’re both out on business, and I don’

bear you any ill-will. In fact, if you’ropen to make any arrangement, I should bglad to talk to you.”

asmyth smiled as he answered: “Youcan at least come and get some supper. expect the boys will fix you and youhorses for the night.”



They went down the gully together, and few minutes later walked into thflickering light of a great fire, near whic

a rudely bountiful supper had been laiout. Nasmyth pointed to the strangers.

“Boys,” he said, “these are the men w

expected, but I don’t think they mean tworry us now, and they’ve had a lonride.” He turned to the strangers. “Won’you sit down?”

There was a great burst of laughter, andone of the strangers smiled.

“We’re in your hands, but I don’t know

any reason why you shouldn’t bgenerous, boys,” he said.

He sat down, but for a moment or twasmyth and Laura stood still in the glar



of the fire, and the eyes of everyone werfixed upon them. Laura’s face waflushed, but Nasmyth was calm with a new

dignity.“We have a little more to do, boys, but wehave left the toughest of our trouble

behind,” Nasmyth spoke in confidenones. “We’ll have another supper whenwe’re through with it, and I’ll expecevery one of you at the biggest event in m

ife.”There was a great shout that rang throughe roar of the rapid and far across th

climbing pines. Then the men sat downand it was a little while later when theieader and the girl quietly slipped awa

from them. Those who noticed this sai

nothing, and the men still sat round th



snapping fire when Nasmyth and Laurcrossed the ridge of the divide.

There was a moon above them, and thnight was soft and clear, while the Busrolled away beneath, shadowy and stilOnly the turmoil of the river came faintl

up to them. The muffled sound sent curious thrill through both of them, buhey were silent as they went down thong slope among the climbing pines

Laura sat in the saddle, looking out on thsilent forest with eyes that shone softly ihe moonlight, and Nasmyth walke

beside her, with his hand on the pack

horse’s bridle. They had both borne thstress and strain, but now as the packhorse plodded on they were consciouonly of a deep contentment.



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