d this in a
sense was encouraging, because this was a trouble from which she could
purchase him immunity.

In the meanwhile she was stirred by mournful memories as she followed the
last stages of her brother's journey and visited the lonely spot where he
had met his end. Somehow the thought of him encouraged her--George had
quietly done his duty, regardless of the cost, and even if her burden
proved heavy, which it was premature to admit, she must bear it
cheerfully.

At length they stopped one evening at a portage, and Lisle examined the
stores.

"The food's getting short," he announced. "One or two of you had better
take out your rifles the first thing to-morrow, while the rest go
fishing. I'll tackle the portage with two packers."

He began his work at sunrise the next morning and it was toward evening
when Crestwick came back exultant with a blacktail buck. Nasmyth was
fishing near the camp and Lisle was busy with a canoe near by.

"Where are the rest? How have they got on?" Lisle asked.

"I think Batley went back to the last reach with Carew's rod," Crestwick
answered. "I met Gladwyne and one of the packers on the low range back
yonder; they'd only got a blue grouse."

"I could have done with the man here," said Lisle. "Which way were they
heading?"

"Back up-river, the way we came."

Lisle made no comment, but Crestwick thought he found the information
reassuring, and thrusting out the canoe he was swept away down the
easiest part of the rapid, while Crestwick assisted Nasmyth to land a
trout. Lisle had returned to the camp when the packer who had accompanied
Clarence came in alone, bringing a couple of grouse.

"What's become of Mr. Gladwyne?" Lisle asked him.

"Hasn't he got back?" replied the other, glancing about. "I lost him on
the far slope of the bluff about noon, but as he could see the river most
anywhere from the top I went right on. There was a deer trail I was
trying to follow."

Lisle said nothing more to the packer but walked rapidly toward where the
cook was getting supper ready. Nasmyth followed him.

"Did you give Mr. Gladwyne any lunch to carry with him when he left
camp?" Lisle asked the man.

"I was busy when he came along and I told him to look around for himself.
I think he took some canned stuff and there was quite a big loaf
missing."

"Bring the box you keep the canned goods in!"

The cook produced it.

"There's two meat cans gone, anyway," he remarked. "Looks as if