“He won’t come back,” he said decidedly. “Get a grip on the position. He went on a winter trip. He set out in his kyak, you told me. He went with a light outfit and his rifle. Why, his kyak couldn’t carry two months’ grub, an’ he’s been away six. Let’s guess a bit. We know this old North. The winter trail. We know these rivers with the ice crowding down on ’em. We know you’ve only to beat the winter trail long enough to get your med’cine. The North gets us all beaten in the end if we don’t quit in time. The one way trail’s claimed Usak, little girl, if I’m a judge. No. Don’t wait on his return. If he gets back Chilcoot’ll send him right along on to us. If he’s alive I mean to have him with us. I squared things with him before he went so he’ll be glad to be with us both. Let’s leave it that way. Eh?”
The girl’s hand had stolen back to its place on the man’s arm, and he took possession of it again. To her he was irresistible, and then there was that wonderful, wonderful time coming.
She nodded her fair head, and the smile dawned once more in her eyes.
“I guess it’s best—but—”
“That’s right.”
The man drew a deep breath of relief. He had been saved a deliberate lie. And his eyes smiled.
“To-morrow?” he said quickly.
But the girl was no less quick in her denial.
“Mum couldn’t be ready. Ther’s the boys.”
Bill laughed.