trophy. It was a burden of no mean weight. And
Keeko's recognition of the fact only added to her fears.

"How--?" she began. But her question remained unasked.

"It's a cinch," Marcel cried. "Don't worry a thing. See those?" He
pointed at two thongs of plaited rawhide, each secured to one of the
horns. "Guess I'll tie them into a sling about the old trunk, and move
the poor feller's head up as I get out, leaving it hanging below. Then,
when I get to the end, I'll just haul it up, and fix it in its place.
I've got it all figured."

Keeko nodded.

"I can help you fix the slings," she said eagerly.

"Sure."

The approval had its effect. Keeko set her teeth, and beat down her
panic.

The minutes stretched out into the better part of half an hour before
the sling was successfully adjusted about the tree-trunk. But at last
Marcel stood up from his task and regarded the moose head swinging just
beyond the face of the cliff. Then he followed Keeko's gaze, which was
in the direction of the upstanding roots of the tree where they had been
partially torn from their hold in the ground. It was only for a moment,
however. He had no misgivings. Forthwith he divested himself of his
pea-jacket and stood ready for the final task.

"What--what can I do now?"

Keeko's voice refused that steadiness which was its wont, and Marcel
laughed.

"Do? Why just sit around and act audience while I do the balancing act.
Guess that old moose is yearning for his place out there. He didn't
figure on the honour, but--he's earned it."

And, despite her fears Keeko smiled at the boyishness of it all.

In a moment her breath was drawn sharply. Marcel was out on the log. He
had passed from the cliff edge and was sitting astride of the trunk with
his feet and calves gripping tight about it like a horseman on a bucking
broncho. His progress was rapid. He lifted the sling and set it out at
the full reach of his powerful arms, and then drew himself out after it.

Keeko watched. She watched with wide, apprehensive eyes. It was a fear
quite new to her. A vivid imagination possessed her. She saw the great
body of this man lying crushed and broken upon the rocks below, and the
terror of it left her with nerves and muscles straining. She did not
pause to consider the reason of her fears. She knew it, and acknowledged
it to herself. In the battle of life which she had been forced to fight
a champion had suddenly appeared. A champion such as she had som