nd is still going! Picture Luna
Park dropped down on the island out there!"

They laughed at the incongruous picture.

"Where would we dine the first night?" asked Natalie.

"Martin's," said Garth. "Fancy us in the balcony looking down on the
giddy crowd; and the orchestra sawing off the sextet from _Lucia_ for
dear life!"

"Lobster a la Newburg and a _peche Melba_!" cried Natalie in an ecstasy.

"Not on your life!" said Garth. "Just like a girl's bill-of-fare.
Something sensible for yours when you go out with me! How about a filet
_dernier cri_?"

"Don't know it," said Natalie. "Besides, I refuse to be sensible in my
imagination," she added.

Garth described the delicacy. "And a cheese sauce on top all browned,
with strips of red pepper laid criss-cross; and it comes steaming hot
under a little glass cover!"

Natalie groaned. "Oh, talk about something else!" she said faintly.

"What will you wear?" asked Garth with a grin.

Natalie drew a long breath and plunged forthwith into elaborate, excited
descriptions.

* * * * *

Their respite was very short--only to the middle of the following
morning. They were still dwelling on the subject of home. Garth had
carefully lifted Natalie into the saddle; and was leading the horse up
and down the strip of grass to see how she bore it. Suddenly she bent
her head, and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Horses!" she said.

Garth sharply pulled up old Cy. "The Indian cayuses, perhaps," he said.

Natalie shook her head. "Heavier animals than that," she said. "And more
like the steady trot of ridden horses!"

They listened with strained attention; and presently the pound of hoofs
was clearly audible returning on the same trail through the woods of the
lake shore. The approach of strangers is charged with a tremendous
significance to those immured in a wilderness. They bated their breaths
to hear better.

Garth scowled. "If they come back they can starve!" he said shortly.
"They'll not get another stiver's worth from our store!"

Natalie's ears were very sharp. "There are more than two!" she said
suddenly. "Four--six--more than that!"

Garth's face cleared. "Friends, undoubtedly," he said. "Mabyn could
never enlist anybody, not even breeds, against us!"

But this was only for Natalie's benefit. Even while he spoke another
thought struck a chill to his heart. Lifting Natalie off the horse, he
sent her into the house; and taking his gun,