Natalie shot an odd glance at him. "I will not let you," she said
quickly.

"But why?"

"The risk of the humiliation of a refusal is too great," she said. "I
do not doubt she is a good woman; I'm sure she rises splendidly to all
the demands of her position up here. But she _has_ a position to maintain,
you see; no doubt she is bringing up girls. And me!"--Natalie turned
away her head--"consider how extraordinary the story sounds! Only one
woman in a thousand would believe."

Garth turned a distressed face to her. "I have not taken care of you
properly," he cried remorsefully.

Natalie veiled her eyes; and her hand stole to her breast. "Let us not
talk about _that_!" she murmured unevenly.

Garth was perplexed and silent.

Natalie recovered herself presently; and looked at him with a misty
shine in her eyes. "Why do you worry?" she asked. "We're a thousand
times better off than we were yesterday; for you have laid our enemy
by the heels! Why mayn't I go on with you just the same as before?
I cannot trust any one but you!"

How was Garth to resist such an appeal? Besides, there was nothing else
to do.

Garth might have lodged a complaint against Nick Grylls at the barracks;
but any investigation would have seriously delayed their journey; and a
greater reason against it was his care for Natalie's good name. It was
intolerable to him that the dear circumstances of their journey together
should be made the subject of the common gossip of the North. It was
better to let those who saw Natalie on the trail speculate as they
chose, rather than give them an opportunity to put their own coarse
construction upon the truth. He was well assured Nick Grylls would
say nothing.

For the same reason, he decided to avoid the Settlement altogether.
The two of them remained close in camp; and Charley was dispatched to
purchase ponies and saddles, and what was needful to replenish their
stores. He returned with all they required; and during the afternoon
instructed Garth how to pack the ponies and "throw" the immovable
diamond hitch. Natalie in the meantime, constructed a divided skirt
for herself, since side-saddles are unknown in the North.

Their route now lay over the ninety-mile portage to Spirit River
Crossing. The road, Garth learned, was straight, and, for the
North, well-travelled. There were no forks or cross-trails, hence no
possibility of their missing the way. They set off before daybreak next
morning. The par