up on her couch, and Garth sitting on a stool, smoking by
especial request--it was as snug as Heaven, Natalie said. The nights had
been growing dreadfully keen of late; and poor Natalie wrapped in all
the blankets they possessed had nevertheless more than once lain awake
with the cold. But now, within thick walls--what matter if they were out
of the perpendicular?--and under a tight roof, with the flames leaping
briskly up the chimney, no king in his palace ever experienced such a
sense of opulent and all-sufficing luxury as Garth and Natalie the first
night in their miserable shack.

This was the fourteenth day after Natalie's accident. Every day after
the first week had shown a slight improvement in her condition; and
every day had therefore lessened the hold Rina had over them; until now
Garth felt, should it be necessary, he could bring the patient safely
back to health unaided. Rina knew this too; and became daily more morose
and sullen in her demeanour. To separate her longer from Mabyn would be,
Garth felt, simply to promote an explosion. Besides, sufficiently housed
now, well armed, and with the food safely stored, he felt strong enough
to be merciful. On the night they moved into the shack he pointed out
the canoe to Rina, telling her that henceforth she was free to use it as
she would. He would go to the island no more, he added; but Rina might
come every day for rations for both--as long as Mabyn remained where he
was.

He hoped by this to incite the energetic Rina into planning Mabyn's
escape from the island. They could catch a couple of horses and ride to
their friends at the distant Settlement, or where they would. He felt he
could trust Rina, if she ever got Mabyn among her own people, to keep
him from coming back. Thus he would at the same stroke be rid of them,
and conserve his rapidly diminishing stores. It was no great matter if
they drove off all the horses, for he still had old Cy under his eye for
Natalie to ride; and their own journey back would have to be undertaken
at a walking pace, anyway. He had learned enough of Rina's mixed
character to be sure that this would have a greater chance of coming
about if he let her think of it for herself, so he said nothing to her.

He was disappointed. Mabyn, too timid to undertake so long a journey
without ample supplies, or perhaps too obstinate to go, they remained on
the island; and Rina came every day for food. If she was grateful for
being allowed to