of his self-control. She approved of his restraint, because
only while it was exerted could she meet him on friendly terms; but, as
had happened on his last afternoon in England, it piqued her. She
wondered how much it cost him.

"After all," she said with a forced laugh, "it's better to keep carefully
clear of danger."

"Yes," he agreed; "but there's now and then a temptation to face the
hazard. One feels that it's worth while."

"Never mind that. I think I'd rather enjoy the wildness of this scene
than to philosophize. Tell me about the bear and deer we are likely to
come across."

He discoursed at length, and she sat listening while the light faded and
the cedars grew blacker. Then the others approached and they went back to
camp.

"Breakfast will be at seven prompt," he informed them. "The packers will
strike tents while you eat, so have everything ready. There are two
awkward portages to be tackled to-morrow."

They started in a clammy mist which clung about them until they reached
the foot of the first wild rapid, where the green and white flood came
roaring over ledges and between huge boulders, with wisps of spray
tossing over it. This was Millicent's first sight of the river in anger,
and she watched, at first almost appalled and then thrilled with strong
excitement, when Lisle and one packer took the leading canoe up the
lowest rush. They stood upright in the unloaded, unstable craft, long
pole in hand, guiding her with what seemed wonderful skill across
madly-whirling eddies and through tumbling foam, while Nasmyth and
another man, floundering deep in water, assisted them at intervals with
the tracking-line. Once Nasmyth's companion lost his footing and
disappeared, but he rose and Millicent saw that instead of clinging to
the line for safety he loosed it, and swimming down a wild white tumult,
came dripping ashore. This, she thought, was bracing work that made for
more than physical vigor; but she could not imagine Clarence indulging in
it. It was too elemental, too barbarous for him. He was fond of exertion
in the form of sport, but he required somebody to saddle and lead out his
horse and to load his second gun. There was a difference between him and
those who delighted to grapple at first hand with nature.

She was astonished to see Crestwick get a heavy flour bag upon his back
and move away with it over very rough stones, and she joined in Bella's
laugh when Carew attempted to shoulder another an