es, and sank
almost below the surface with the weight of the wood fastened crosswise
on top. But the whole floated dry with its cargo, and crossed clumsily
on the quick-wrinkled current. Then it brought the wagon; and the six
horses swam. The force of the river had landed them below the cabin,
and when they had repacked there was too little left of day to go on.
Clallam suggested it was a good time to take Moon's leavings over to
the Okanagon, but Wild-Goose Jake said at once that their load was heavy
enough; and about this they could not change his mind. He made a journey
to the cabin by himself, and returned saying that he had managed to lock
the door.

"Father," said Mart, as they were harnessing next day, "I've been up
there. I went awful early. There's no lock to the door, and the cabin's
empty."

"I guessed that might be."

"There has been a lock pried off pretty lately. There was a lot of
broken bottles around everywheres, inside and out."

"What do you make out of it?" said Mart.

"Nothing yet. He wants to get us away, and I'm with him there. I want to
get up the Okanagon as soon as we can."

"Well, I'm takin' yu' the soonest way," said Wild-Goose Jake, behind
them. From his casual smile there was no telling what he had heard.
"I'll put your stuff acrosst the Okanagon to-morrow mornin'. But
to-night yourselves'll all be over, and the ladies kin sleep in my
room."

The wagon made good time. The trail crossed easy valleys and over
the yellow grass of the hills, while now and then their guide took
a short-cut. He wished to get home, he said, since there could be no
estimating what Leander might be doing. While the sun was still well up
in the sky they came over a round knob and saw the Okanagon, blue in the
bright afternoon, and the cabin on its further bank. This was a roomier
building to see than common, and a hay-field was by it, and a bit
of green pasture, fenced in. Saddle-horses were tied in front, heads
hanging and feet knuckled askew with long waiting, and from inside an
uneven, riotous din whiffled lightly across the river and intervening
meadow to the hill.

"If you'll excuse me," said Jake, "I'll jest git along ahead, and see
what game them folks is puttin' up on Andy. Likely as not he's weighin'
'em out flour at two cents, with it costin' me two and a half on
freightin' alone. I'll hev supper ready time you ketch up."

He was gone at once, getting away at a sharp pace, till presently they
c