elf after
this fashion:

"Steady, old man! You're heading in the wrong direction. You've got to
get a toehold yourself before you can look at a girl. She's a sight
too good-looking. You can't think about it straight. Forget it!
Anyhow, a girl like that, she'd naturally pick a man like Big Jack or
Shand. No use storing up trouble for yourself. Put it out of mind.
Look the other way. Harden yourself."

* * * * *

Young Joe swung his heavy shoulders around the shack. Seeing Bela
alone, he could scarcely credit his good fortune. He approached her,
grinning and fawning in his extreme desire to please.

"Hello! You're an early bird," he said.

Bela looked at him in her most inscrutable way.

"How!" she said, offering him her hand according to the etiquette of
the country.

Joe fondled it clumsily. "Say, the sight of you is good for sore
eyes!" he cried, leering into her face. "Hanged if you ain't better
looking than the sun-rise!"

Bela determinedly freed her hand. "Foolish talk!" she said loftily.
"Wake the ot'er men and let us eat."

"Aw, don't be in such a rush," pleaded Joe. "I want to talk to you. I
won't likely get another chance."

"What you want say?" she asked. "More foolishness, I think."

"Aw, give a fellow a chance," begged Joe. "Be decent to me."

"Well, say it," she commanded.

Joe's feeling was genuine enough. The conqueror of the sex found
himself at a loss for words.

"The--the sight of you kind of ties a man's tongue," he stammered. "I
can't say it right. You're certainly a wonder! I never thought there
was anything like you up here. I could stop here all day just taking
you in!"

"I couldn't," said Bela coolly. "I too 'ongry. Wake the ot'er men and
go wash."

Joe stared at her, scowling, trying to discover if he was being made
game of.

"Ah," he growled, "you might give me a chance to make good."

"I will cook breakfast," said Bela. "I bring some nice whitefish."

"To the deuce with breakfast!" cried Joe. "I spoke you fair. You're
only trying to put me off!"

"If you don't wake the men," said Bela coolly, "I will."

Her eyes were as clear as the lake waters. Joe's fell before them. He
went sullenly back and shouted in the door of the shack.

CHAPTER VII

THE SUITORS

The day started well, with Big Jack, Shand, and Joe all on their good
behaviour. But it was too good to last. Watching Bela's graceful
movements before the fire, and eatin