hink that the stress of the moment had swept her back a
thousand--thousand years, and that her joy was simply the rapture of
the cave woman, mad with blood lust, beside her mate.

X

The shoulder of a bull moose was never a load for a weak back. The
piece of meat weighed nearly one hundred pounds and was of awkward shape
to carry. Bill, secure in his strength, would never have attempted it
except for the fact that after one small ridge was climbed, the way was
downhill clear to the cabin.

He skinned out the quarter with great care; then, stooping, worked it on
his back. Virginia took his gun and led the way back over their snow
trail.

By resting often, they soon made the hilltop. From thence on they
dragged the meat in the immaculate snow. Twilight had fallen again when
they made the cabin.

Already Virginia thought of it as home. She returned to it with a
thrill in her veins and a joy in her heart. She was tired out and cold;
this humble log hut meant shelter from the storm and warmth and food.
Bill hung the meat; then with his knife cut off thick steaks for their
supper. In a few moments their fire was cracking.

Bill showed her how to broil the steak in its own fat, and he cooked hot
biscuits and macaroni to go with it. No meal of her life had ever given
her greater pleasure. They made their plans for the morrow; first to
construct a crude sled and then to bring in the remainder of the meat.
"If the wolves don't claim it to-night," Bill added, as he lighted his
pipe.

"It's strange that I don't want to smoke myself," the girl told him.

"You? Why should you?"

"I smoke at home. I mean I did. It's getting to be the thing to do
among the girls I know. Someway, the thought of it doesn't seem
interesting any more."

"Did you--really enjoy it then? If you did, I'll split my store with
you. You've got as much right to it as I." The man spoke rather
heavily.

"I didn't think I did enjoy it. I did it--I suppose because it seemed
sporting. It never made me feel peaceful--only nervous. I don't
believe tobacco is a temperamental need with women as it is with some
men--otherwise it wouldn't have taken so many centuries to establish
the custom. It would only--seem silly, up here."

He had an impression that she was speaking very softly. The quality of
absolute and omnipresent silence had passed from the wilderness. There
was a low stir, a faint murmur that at first was so far off and v