ead. Come. The supper's waited this long
time."

With a smile that disarmed offense Margot caught the woman's shoulder
and lightly swung her aside out of the way.

"Eat then, hungry one! I, too, am hungry, but---- Hark!"

The cry came again, prolonged, entreating, not to be confounded with
that of any forest wilding.

"It's from the north end of our own island!"

The master's ear was not less keen than the girl's, and both had the
acuteness of an Indian's, but his judgment was better.

"From the mainland, across the narrows."

Neither delayed, as a mutual impulse sent them toward the shore, but
again Angelique interposed.

"Thoughtless child, have you no sense? With the master just out of a
faint that was nigh death itself! With nothin' in his poor stomach
since the mornin' and your own as empty. Wait. Eat. Then chase loons,
if you will."

Mr. Dutton laughed, though he also frowned and cast a swift, anxious
glance toward Margot. But she was intent upon nothing save answering
that far-off cry.

"Which canoe, uncle?"

"Mine."

The devoted servant made a last protest, and caught the girl's arm as
it pushed the light craft downward into the water.

"My child, he is not fit. Believe me. Best leave others to their fate
than he should over-tax himself again, so soon."

Margot was astonished. In all her life she had never before associated
thought of physical weakness with her stalwart guardian, and a sharp
fear of some unknown trouble shot through her heart.

"What do you mean?"

The master had reached them and now laid his own hand upon Angelique's
detaining one.

"There, woman, that's enough. The storm has shaken your nerves. If
you're afraid to stay alone, Margot shall stop with you. But let's
have no more nonsense."

Mother Ricord stepped back, away. She had done her best. Let come what
might, her conscience was clear.

A few seconds later the canoe pushed off over the now darkening water
and its inmates made all speed toward that point from which the cry
had been heard, but was heard no more. However, the steersman followed
a perfectly direct course and, if he were still weak from his seizure,
his movement showed no signs of it, so that Margot's fear for him was
lost in the interest of their present adventure. She rhymed her own
stroke to her uncle's and when he rested her paddle instantly stopped.

"Halloo! Hal-l-oo!" he shouted, but as no answer came, said:
"Now--both together!"

The girl's