on to lie leapt into his mind.

"You know, there was to be the big fight between HIS dog and mine at
Post Fort O' God at the New Year carnival," he went on, shuffling his
heavy feet. "For that, Jacques--your husband--was training the wild
dog. And when I saw that OOCHUN--that wolf devil--tearing at the bars
of the cage I knew he would kill my dog as a fox kills a rabbit. So we
struck a bargain, and for the two cross foxes and the ten red which I
have outside I bought him." (The VRAISEMBLANCE of his lie gave him
courage. It sounded like truth, and Jacques, the dead man, was not
there to repudiate his claim.) "So he is mine," he finished a little
exultantly, "and I will take him to the Post, and will fight him
against any dog or wolf in all the North. Shall I bring in the skins,
MADAME?"

"He is not for sale," said Nanette, the glow in her eyes deepening. "He
is my dog--mine and the baby's. Do you understand, Henri Durant? HE IS
NOT FOR SALE!"

"OUI," gasped Durant, amazed.

"And when you reach Post Fort O' God, m'sieu, you will tell LE FACTEUR
that Jacques is dead, and how he died, and say that some one must be
sent for the baby and me. We will stay here until then."

"OUI," said Durant again, backing to the door.

He had never seen her like that. He wondered how Jacques Le Beau could
swear at her, and strike her. For himself, he was afraid. Standing
there with those wonderful eyes and white face, with the baby in her
arms, and her shining hair over her breasts, she made him think of a
picture he had once seen of the Blessed Lady.

He went out through the door and back to the sapling cage where Miki
lay. Softly he spoke through the bars.

"OW, BETE" he called; "she will not sell you. She keeps you because you
fought for her, and killed MON AMI, Jacques Le Beau. And so I must take
you my own way. In a little while the moon will be up, and then I will
slip a noose over your head at the end of a pole, and will choke you so
quickly she will not hear a sound. And who will know where you are
gone, if the cage door is left open? And you will fight for me at Post
Fort 0' God. MON DIEU! how you will fight! I swear it will do the ghost
of Jacques Le Beau good to see what happens there."

He went away, to where he had left his light sledge and two dogs in the
edge of the timber, and waited for the moon to rise.

Still Miki did not move, A light had appeared in the window of the
cabin, and his eyes were fixed on it yearn