ths, which were but two ways of showing similar emotions.
Then the former stepped up and laid a big hand upon Poleon's shoulder.

"That saves us quite a trip," he said, but "No Creek" Lee continued to
swear softly.

It seemed that Poleon's wish was to be gratified, for no news of the
missing man came through in the days that followed. Only at a fishing
village far down the river, where a few native families had staked
their nets and weirs for salmon, a hunter told a strange tale to his
brothers--a tale of the white man's idiosyncrasies. In sooth, they were
a strange people, he observed, surpassing wise in many things, yet
ignorant and childish in all others, else why should a half-naked man
go wandering idly through the thickets holding a knotted rag behind his
back, and that when the glades were dense and the moss-chinks filled
with the singing people who lived for blood? The elders of the village
nodded their heads sagely, and commended the hunter for holding aloof
from the inert body, for the foolishness of this man was past belief,
and--well, his people were swift and cruel in their vengeance, and
sometimes doubted an Indian's word, wherefore it were best to pay no
heed to their ways and say nothing. But they continued to wonder why.

Father Barnum found the three still talking in the store when he had
finished an hour's counsel with Necia, so came straight to the point.
It was work that delighted his soul, for he loved the girl, and had
formed a strong admiration for Burrell. Two of them took his
announcement quietly, the other cried out strenuous objections. It was
the one-eyed miner.

"Right away! Not on your life! It's too onexpected. You've got to hold
'em apart for an hour, anyhow, till I get dressed." He slid down from
his seat upon the counter. "What do you reckon I got all them clothes
for?"

"Come as you are," urged the Father, but Lee fought his point
desperately.

"I'll bust it up if you don't gimme time. What's an hour or two when
they've got a life sentence comin' to 'em. Dammit, you jest ought to
see them clothes!" And by very force of his vociferations he succeeded
in exacting the promise of a brief stay in the proceedings before he
bolted out, the rags of his yellow mackinaw flapping excitedly.

The priest returned to Necia, leaving the trader and Poleon alone.

"I s'pose it's best," said the former.

"Yes!"

"Beats the deuce, though, how things work out, don't it?"

"I'm glad for see