“Are you sure?”
“Yep.”
“Someone must have happened on the cabin. Perhaps she is showing him the road to the divide. Was the dog with her?”
“I hain’t seen Guess; but a mile an’ a half across this yer shinin’ water is a long ways ter spot a dawg.”
“Oh, well, there’s nothing to worry about. We don’t quite own the earth; though one might come to think along that line after living here a spell.”
Nothing more was said; but both men plied their paddles with strong, sweeping strokes that drove the canoe onward at a rare pace. When she grounded, Power sprang ashore, and did not wait, as was his wont, to help with the packages. Already he felt anxious, because Nancy had not appeared in or about the hut, and the dog was now plainly visible, lying in front of the open door.
“Nancy!” he shouted.
There was no answer; but Guess rose, yawned, and stretched his limbs, his vigil being ended. Power shouted again, more loudly, and Granite, having drawn the canoe high and dry, joined him, leaving the unloading of the provisions until a less troubled moment.
“It ain’t jest like Mrs. Power not ter be within hail,” said the guide. “Hurry up to the shack, Mr. Power, an’ put Guess on her trail if she ain’t havin’ a snooze in the back room.”
“She wouldn’t be asleep at this hour. And you saw her, you said?”