"And, O husband" (let the Master-Girl tell the adventure in her own words), "then, for the second time, I so nearly gave up! The first time was when Gow-Loo made his last sprint for me. My heart seemed bursting, my legs shook as I raced. He got within throw ... I felt all up my back what was coming. 'This is the end,' I thought,—but his hatchet struck my quiver. Then I took fresh heart, I remembered thee. 'My man shall not starve like a sick badger in his earth. Little Moon, help my man,' I prayed! and new strength came to my legs, and Gow-Loo dropped back blown. It was after that that I doubled and all came right. But now, for the second time, I thought all was over. I had overbalanced, I stumbled, I let fall my bow and my last arrow, and came down twice my height, scrambling and clutching hard. When I stopped and my eyes cleared I was in a bad place and could find no footholds for ever so long. But, again I thought of thee, and again I cried to my Totem, and lo! at once my right foot was on something, and I was safe."
"Safe?" echoed Pŭl-Yūn hoarsely, catching his breath, "with all thy weapons at the foot of the cliff, and that half-crippled wolf between thee and them?—was there no scraping past him?"
"It was not to be done. He was well-placed astride the outer angle of the buttress with both feet firm; but the only holds for getting down that cheminée lay close under his hand, and he knew it. I worked down to within my length of him, but it would not do. I had to return to my ledge and wait."
"And he?"
"He made mouths at me and said all the worst that he knew. No, I will not tell thee what he said. This is his scalp, is not that enough?"
"Nay, but I will hear. What said he?"
"First he fixed his eyes upon mine and would have charmed me down, and when that would not serve, he must show me point by point what must be the end; this hold, and that hold, and then the one next to him; and that, as I must needs come down feet foremost, he would set his hand or his teeth in me, for he was too badly hurt to get down himself. And it was all—Come down to me, my Little Love, and thou and I will go gently to the bottom together, and thou shalt sleep long (Oh long!) and soundly (very soundly) in my arms!"
"Eh, but he said that?" blurted the husband. "Which didst say was his scalp?"
"What matter?—nay, thou must not spoil it! It was almost the last thing he did say. Oh, but we were thirsty, he and I! I sucked the rock!—and cold—we were cold; I could see him shaking. Is he cold now, dost thou think? I hope he is very, very cold!"