tions, had a
sad time of it balancing a frying pan on a fire of twigs, and keeping
the water in the pot long enough for it to come to a boil. They were
sad-looking lumps of bacon that she offered Garth, burnt withal, and
she gravely informed him there was a small slice of her thumb cooked up
with it. The cocoa, too, which obstinately refused to dissolve in a cold
element, was watery and full of lumps; however they still had civilized
bread and butter; and Garth would have eaten Paris green with gusto, if
offered with the same appealing smile.

Afterward an ancient box wagon came rattling up, drawn by two champing
cayuses, guided by Pake, the "wise guy" of the bush. The duffle was
thrown in; Pake and one of his brethren coolly preempted the box,
allowing Garth and Natalie to dispose themselves as they chose among the
freight; and they set off at a smart pace across the gloriously sunny
meadow.

It was rough enough in all conscience; and in spite of every effort to
brace themselves in the body of the wagon, they were shaken about like
corn in a hopper. But in the bush it was worse; there, though their pace
necessarily slackened, what with the holes, roots, stumps and fallen
trunks, they had seldom more than two wheels on the ground; and more
than once all that stood between them and a total capsize was Pake's
dexterous wrist. There were deep gullies, down which they precipitated
themselves, almost turning the wagon over on the horses' backs at the
bottom; and the climbs up the other side were heart-breaking. Pake was
often obliged to descend and chop; and on the whole progress was so
slow, Garth decided they might venture to insure their necks by walking.

So he and Natalie strode on ahead, pausing here and there to pick the
delicious acrid mooseberries, and discussing their problems. Their talk
was chiefly of Nick Grylls. Natalie finally confessed what had happened
at the Landing.

"You should have told me immediately," Garth said with a frown.

Natalie looked "poor," as she called it. "I was afraid you'd send me
home," she said. "Now you can't," she added provokingly.

Garth in turn told her what he had learned the night before.

"Look here," said Natalie frankly; "what is the use of our hiding these
things from each other? Let us promise to tell everything that happens
after this. You wanted me to take you for granted as if I were a man.
You treat me like a man and I will."

Garth smiled; and promised to try--