ons of the
ancient Egyptians? or of Thackeray, had he novelized the life of the
Babylonians? It is an ancient blindness, with an ancient wall to bruise
one's head. It is only those who seek ointment of the consecrated clay
that gives back sight, who see the shining way at their feet, who beat
their face against no wall, who safely climb the heights. Henry van
Cortlandt was a man of rare parts, of every advantage, but still he had
been taught steadfastly to live in the past. His eyes were yet to be
opened. The living present was not his--but yet to be.

The young lawyer had been assembling his outfit at Vandam's warehouse,
for, in spite of scoffing friends, he knew that Rolf was coming back to
him.

When Rolf saw the pile of stuff that was gathered for that outfit, he
stared at it aghast, then looked at Vandam, and together they roared.
There was everything for light housekeeping and heavy doctoring, even
chairs, a wash stand, a mirror, a mortar, and a pestle. Six canoes could
scarcely have carried the lot.

"'Tain't so much the young man as his mother," explained Big Pete; "at
first I tried to make 'em understand, but it was no use; so I says, 'All
right, go ahead, as long as there's room in the warehouse.' I reckon
I'll set on the fence and have some fun seein' Rolf ontangle the
affair."

"Phew, pheeeww--ph-e-e-e-e-w," was all Rolf could say in answer. But
at last, "Wall, there's always a way. I sized him up as pretty level
headed. We'll see."

There was a way and it was easy, for, in a secret session, Rolf, Pete,
and Van Cortlandt together sorted out the things needed. A small tent,
blankets, extra clothes, guns, ammunition, delicate food for three
months, a few medicines and toilet articles--a pretty good load for one
canoe, but a trifle compared with the mountain of stuff piled up on the
floor.

"Now, Mr. van Cortlandt," said Rolf, "will you explain to your mother
that we are going on with this so as to travel quickly, and will send
back for the rest as we need it?"

A quiet chuckle was now heard from Big Pete. "Good! I wondered how he'd
settle it."

The governor and his lady saw them off; therefore, there was a crowd.
The mother never before had noted what a frail and dangerous thing a
canoe is. She cautioned her son never to venture out alone, and to be
sure that he rubbed his chest with the pectoral balm she had made from
such and such a famous receipt, the one that saved the life but not
the limb of