ill replied. "They're God Almighty's. And I made it
just as comfortable for you as I can."

"I think you could have provided folding cots, anyway. I've a great
mind to turn back." He looked into the snow-filled sky. "By George, I
will turn back. There's no sense in going any farther in this wild
goose chase. It's a death trip, that's all it is--going out in this
snow. Tell Miss Tremont that we're starting back."

Bill stood straight and tall. "I've already talked that over with Miss
Tremont," he answered quietly. "She has given the order to go on."

The fleshy sacks under Lounsbury's eyes swelled with wrath. "She has,
has she? I think she's already told you that I'm financing this trip,
not her, and I've told you so too. I'm doing the hiring and giving the
orders."

"In that case, it's your privilege to order me to turn back, and of
course I will obey. You will owe me, however, for the full thirty
days."

For a moment a spectator would have eyed Lounsbury with apprehension; to
all appearances he had swollen past the danger mark and was about to
explode. "You'd hold me up, would you--you--you--I'd like to see
you get it."

Bill eyed him long and grimly. There was a miniature flake of fire in
each of his dark eyes and a curious little quiver, vaguely ominous, in
his muscles. There was also a grim determination in the set of his
features. "I'd get it all right," he assured him. Then his voice
changed, friendly and soft again. "But you'd better talk it over with
Miss Tremont, Mr. Lounsbury. The snow is likely only temporary. I'll
see that you turn back before it gets too deep for safety."

They folded the tent and packed the horses, and shortly after eight Bill
led the way deeper into the forest. The snow-swept trees, the white
glades between, the long line of pack horses following in the wake of
the impassive form of Bill made a picture that Virginia could never
forget. And ever the snow sifted down upon them, ever heavier on the
branches, ever deeper on the trail.

If the record of the wild things had been clear in yesterday's mud it
was an open book to-day. Everywhere the trail was criss-crossed with
tracks. In that first mile she saw signs of almost every kind of living
creature that dwelt in this northern realm. Besides those of the larger
mammals, such as bear and moose and caribou, she saw the tracks of those
two savage hunters, the wolverine and lynx. The latter is nothing more