and shot
the fall?"

"No," said Weston resolutely, "it wouldn't have been safe."

There was silence for a minute or two, and then Ida spoke again.

"I must admit that I knew the portage would be a little difficult when
you were by yourself, but I didn't think it would give you quite as
much trouble as it has," she said. "Still, I think you should have
told me. After all"--and she seemed to have some difficulty in finding
the right words--"we have never asked you to do anything
unreasonable."

Weston understood that what she meant was that she, at least, had not
treated him as a mere camp-packer, and, as she was quick to notice,
the blood crept into his face. Her manner, which was not conciliatory,
had, also, an unsteadying effect on him.

"Well," he said, with a little laugh, "there are naturally two or
three of my duties which I don't find particularly agreeable, but
that's a very common thing, and you wouldn't expect me to point it
out. They're all in the bargain--and the others make up for them."

She noticed his swift change of expression, and did not urge him to
explain what he meant.

"Anyway, what I have to do is a good deal nicer than handling heavy
rails," he added, with a rather grim smile.

Ida fancied that this was a clumsy attempt to qualify his previous
statement, and she said nothing further until they reached the camp.
Mrs. Kinnaird kept her occupied for the next hour or two; and that
evening when she was sitting on the veranda she heard Grenfell
speaking to his comrade not far away.

"Why did you bring that canoe down?" he asked.

"Miss Stirling wanted it," said Weston.

"What did she want with it, anyway?"

It was evident from Weston's voice that he was not anxious to pursue
that subject.

"I don't know," he said. "It paddles easier than the other one."

"Well," said Grenfell, "you and I are going to have trouble taking the
blame thing up the river again. It's quite different from coming down.
I suppose you shot the fall?"

"I didn't."

Grenfell's tone suggested astonishment.

"You hauled the canoe over the portage! What made you do that, when
you have twice come down the fall?"

Ida started at this, and leaned forward eagerly to catch Weston's
answer.

"I fancied there might be a little risk in it, and I had Miss Stirling
with me."

Ida felt her face grow warm as she remembered that she had twitted him
with having less nerve than the Indians; but Grenfell apparently was
no