esire for food. He was experiencing a transition
so breathless that it could but mark the day of his own passing. He
waited till Naqua finished such a meal as she had never seen before,
his face gaunt but his eyes large and profound with the shadow of
unspeakable thoughts. Presently he dipped his blade in the untroubled
water, and the canoe backed out of the lock.

"Boozhoo!" he said slowly, with one long look at Clark.

"Good-by! Come again."

The penetrating gaze followed the pigmy vessel as it dipped to the
larger stretch of the bay, dwindling with the glint of two blades that
flashed with clock-like regularity in the afternoon sun. Soon it
reduced to a speck and was out of sight. Clark turned to his office,
still contemplating the dignity of his visitor, the stark simplicity of
this archaean aristocrat. How soon, after all, he pondered, might not
he himself and his works look aboriginal beside the achievements which
science had yet to unfold to the world? Then, glancing across the
river, he stepped down to the dock and struck over in a fast launch.

XV.--CLARK CONVERTS TORONTO

It is probable that Clark's invasion of the State of Michigan made more
impression on the people of St. Marys than any other of his activities,
even though it came in the midst of great undertakings. Here was the
definite impression of a central power that stretched octopus arms from
out of their own town. Even Manson, who was recognized as the champion
pessimist, seemed impressed. But St. Marys remained for the most part
still inactive. The people looked on, admired the works, discussed
each new development, read much about their home town in outside
papers, and that was in a general way about all. They saw in Clark a
constantly more arresting and suggestive figure. They had nodded
approvingly when he secured a private car for the use of himself, his
directors and shareholders, and considered it a natural thing when it
was announced that he was building upon the hill a large and expensive
residence. The blockhouse, they pointed out, had long since become too
small to accommodate his many and important visitors.

St. Marys had physically changed. Old streets were paved with asphalt
and new ones opened. The car line that ran up to the works branched
out across the railway into ground that a few years before was solid
bush, but was now covered with substantial houses, occupied by a new
population. Parts of old St.