e grade through the cut, after which the intense stillness
returned and she lay awake, her eyes peering through darkness, her
senses all alert and her nerves a-quiver, until nearly the coming of
dawn.

But the men who had gone out, before scattering to their homes, had
reached a unanimous conclusion. It was true that excitement was rare
in Carcajou, but this was a matter of upholding the fair reputation of
the mill and four or five dozen shacks and frame houses that
constituted the village. It was decided that a committee must go over
to the Falls and investigate.

"I won't say but what Hugo Ennis he's been mostly all right, fur's we
know," acknowledged Phil Prouty of the section gang. "But then he
warn't brought up in these here parts an' he can't be allowed to flout
the morals o' this community in any sich way. If it's like we fears,
the gal'll have ter pack off an' him promise ter behave or leave the
country. Them's my sentiments. We better go to-morrow."

At this, however, there were some objections. It might be that on the
next day the young woman would return. Then their trip would be
useless. And then two days later would be Sunday, on which there would
be less interference with their occupations, especially as it was the
off day in church, where the services were held but twice a month. It
was voted to start then at an early hour. There was a strong team of
horses used to lumbering that could be trusted to manage the old
tote-road, drawing Sam Kerrigan's big sleigh.

"Hosses used ter do it," asserted the latter, "and they kin do it
again."

"Maybe Stefan'd take you up with them dogs of his, Kilrea," suggested
one of the men, grinning.

"No! And by the way, byes. Ye don't want ter let that there Swede know
nothin' of this. He's too thick with Hugo, he is, and we don't want
him around raisin' any ruction if there happens to be a bit o' loud
talk. He'd be liable to raise a rumpus, he would."

This appeared to be excellent strategy and it met with unanimous
approval. The men dispersed to their respective shacks and houses, to
discuss the matter further with their wives, in case any of them were
still awake. One or two of the sturdier ladies at once volunteered to
lend further dignity to the proceedings with their presence and could
not be dissuaded from joining the Carcajou Vigilantes.

In the meanwhile the unconscious objects of all these plans were
happily unaware of the fate in store for them. Madge, wi