. . ."

He drew the last knot tight and dropped her foot. "Damn St. Vincent,
anyway! Come on!"

"So would I, were I you," she laughed, taking up her end of the canoe.
"But how you have changed, Vance. You are not the same man I met on
the Dyea Trail. You hadn't learned to swear, then, among other things."

"No, I'm not the same; for which I thank God and you. Only I think I
am honester than you. I always live up to my philosophy."

"Now confess that's unfair. You ask too much under the
circumstances--"

"Only a little toe."

"Or else, I suppose, you just care for me in a kind, big-brotherly way.
In which case, if you really wish it, you may--"

"Do keep quiet," he broke in, roughly, "or I'll be making a gorgeous
fool of myself."

"Kiss all my toes," she finished.

He grunted, but did not deign a reply. The work quickly took their
breath, and they went on in silence till they descended the last steep
to where McPherson waited by the open river.

"Del hates St. Vincent," she said boldly. "Why?"

"Yes, it seems that way." He glanced back at her curiously. "And
wherever he goes, Del lugs an old Russian book, which he can't read but
which he nevertheless regards, in some sort of way, as St. Vincent's
Nemesis. And do you know, Frona, he has such faith in it that I can't
help catching a little myself. I don't know whether you'll come to me,
or whether I'll go to you, but--"

She dropped her end of the canoe and broke out in laughter. He was
annoyed, and a hurt spread of blood ruddied his face.

"If I have--" he began.

"Stupid!" she laughed. "Don't be silly! And above all don't be
dignified. It doesn't exactly become you at the present moment,--your
hair all tangled, a murderous knife in your belt, and naked to the
waist like a pirate stripped for battle. Be fierce, frown, swear,
anything, but please don't be dignified. I do wish I had my camera.
In after years I could say: 'This, my friends, is Corliss, the great
Arctic explorer, just as he looked at the conclusion of his
world-famous trip _Through Darkest Alaska_.'"

He pointed an ominous finger at her and said sternly, "Where is your
skirt?"

She involuntarily looked down. But its tatterdemalion presence
relieved her, and her face jerked up scarlet.

"You should be ashamed!"

"Please, please do not be dignified," he laughed. "Very true, it
doesn't exactly become you at the present moment. Now, if I had my
camera--"

"Do be qu