her. It seems to me that this love wasn't given to us,
only to have us die in a few days--from this awful wound and you from
hunger. We're only three days' journey--and there must be some way
out."

"God knows I wish you could find one. But I can't see--and you don't
know the way--and we have no food."

"But listen--this wound isn't very bad. I know I can't walk--it
will start bleeding if I do--but if I can get any attention at all
soon, I know it won't be serious. Bill, have you found out--you can
trust me, in a pinch?"

Remembering that instant when the match had flared and her pistol had
shot so remorselessly and so true, he didn't hesitate over his answer.
"Sweetheart, I'd trust you to the last second."

"Then trust me now. Listen to every word I say and do what I tell you.
I think I know the way--at least a fighting chance--to life and
safety."

XXXIII

Whispering eagerly, Virginia told Bill the plan that would give them
their fighting chance. His mind, working clear and true, absorbed every
detail. "It depends first," she said, "whether or not you can crawl
through the little window of the cabin."

Bill remembered his experience in the smoke-filled hut and he kissed
her, smiling. "I've got into smaller places than that, in my time," he
told her. "I can take the little window right out. I put it in
myself."

They were not so awed by their dilemma that they couldn't have gay
words. "You got into my heart, too, Bill--a great dealer smaller place
than the window," she whispered. "The next thing--are Harold's
snowshoes in this room?"

"So it depends on Harold, does it? I believe his snowshoes are here.
Harold left rather hurriedly--and I don't think he took them."

"What everything depends on--is getting out. Getting out quickly.
The longer we stay here, without food, the more certain death is. I
know I can't walk and you can't see. We have no food--except enough
for one meal, perhaps--but we've got to take a chance on that. Bill,
Harold is waiting, right now--probably in the little cabin where he
sleeps--for a chance to get those shoes. He's helpless without them.
When he gets them, he can go to the Yuga--enlist more of his breed
friends--and wait in ambush for us, just as he said. He's hoping
we've forgotten about them. I am sure he didn't take the shoes. They
were behind the stove last night."

To make sure, Bill groped his way across the cabin and found not only
Harold's sh