"No," replied Harold. "I will give two now—the balance in the morning if you tell us all we need to know."
The half-breed shrugged his shoulders, but accepted the money and, after answering several questions, took his leave. Helen sat down on the bench by the fire, but her teeth still chattered, while her blue lips and contracted features indicated the severity of the chill.
"My dear, what can possibly be the matter?" Harold asked in much alarm.
"It is an attack of the ague," said the Doctor; in an aside: "Mon Dieu! it is too bad."
"Can nothing be done?" he asked again.
"Yes, and we'll do it at once. Peruvian bark and brandy are our sheet-anchors."
So he busily prepared a large dose of the medicine, which she washed down with half a glass of brandy and water.
"Fortunately the hut is new, and probably free from vermin," said the Doctor.
"It might be better for the women to sleep here," said Harold. "There will be room enough, and with the fire they can cook what is needed. What say you, Helen?"
"Divide the hut and stay with me. Then it will do," she replied. "We must have a man in the house, even though it is a shanty."