everal days, but the
men were loath to go, until now, a more severe bit of weather had
persuaded them. Even as they sat round the fire, with storm coats drawn
high up around their ears, the sleet-squalls drove against their faces
and the gale howled among the snowy trees.

Peter loved the life, the outdoor days and tented nights, but his mind
once made up to leave, his volatile spirit turned toward home.

"A couple of days more staving round in the snowdrifts and I'll be
ready," he announced, and Joshua began to pack up.

The guide growled a little at the reluctance of his party to start.

"You men wait too long, and you'll be sorry," he warned. "This wind
won't only let up for a little spell at a time,--mostly it'll blow like
somethin' let loose! And if a big snow comes,--and it's likely
to,--we'll be in a fix."

"Now, now, old man," began Shelby, "don't growl. We've been a pretty
good sort, haven't we? We're going home, aren't we? Why croak at us?"

"That's all right, sir, but meantime this Northwest wind keeps up its
force, and--well, it means business."

"All right, we'll get the better of its business deal," prophesied
Peter, and he and Blair went off for a hike.

As they started, the sun shone clear, and though the temperature was
below thirty, the two men strode along, happy with sheer physical joy of
living.

"This is the life!" said Peter, flapping his arms, and watching his
breath congeal in frosty clouds.

"Yes," Blair agreed, "to a certain point----"

"Freezing point?"

"I guess that's right! I like it all as well as you do, but it's nicest
when the sun shines. And by Jiminy, she's clouding over again!"

Clouds meant cold,--a raw, penetrating chill that seemed to strike to
the marrow, and the pair were glad to turn back toward camp.

"What do you think most about, when you think of home?" asked Blair,
idly.

"Carly Harper," replied Peter, speaking from the fullness of his heart.

"Good Lord! So do I!" exclaimed Blair, his tone that of surprise only.

Peter turned and looked at him. "Not a chance for you, old chap," he
said. "Little Carly is waiting for me. Yeo, ho, lads, ho,--Yeo, ho!"

"Oh, I say! Really?" Blair's consternation was almost comic.

"Yes, sir! Fair warning,--keep off!"

"Engaged?"

"Same as."

"Meaning she hasn't said a positive yes?"

"Meaning that, if you like."

"Then it's fair field and no favor! We're too good friends to
misunderstand, but let's call it a ca