At the end of an hour, Chloe removed her rackets and dropped wearily onto the snow beside the fire-wood which she had piled conveniently close to the blaze.  Never in her life had she been so utterly weary, but she realized that for her that night there could be no sleep.  And no sooner had the realization forced itself upon her than she fell sound asleep with her head upon the pile of fire-wood.

She awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright, staring in bewilderment at her fire—­and beyond the fire where, only a few feet distant, a hooded shape stood dimly outlined against the snow.  Chloe’s garments, dampened by the exertion of the earlier hours, had chilled her through while she slept, and as she stared wide-eyed at the apparition beyond the fire, the figure drew closer and the chill of the dampened garments seemed to clutch with icy fingers at her heart.  She nerved herself for a supreme effort and arose stiffly to her knees, and then suddenly the figure resolved itself into the form of a girl—­an Indian girl—­but a girl as different from the Indians of her school as day is different from night.

As the girl advanced she smiled, and Chloe noted that her teeth were strong and even and white, and that dark eyes glowed softly from a face as light almost as her own.

“Do not ’fraid,” said the girl in a low, rich voice.  “I’m not hurt you.  I’m see you fire, I’m com’ ‘cross to fin’.  Den, ver’ queek you com’ ‘wake, an’ I’m see you de one I’m want.”

“The one you want!” cried Chloe, edging closer to the fire.  “What do you mean?  Who are you?  And why should you want me?”

“Me—­I’m Mary.  I’m com’ ver’ far.  I’m com’ from de people of my modder.  De Louchoux on de lower Mackenzie.  I’m com’ to fin’ de school.  I’m hear about dat school.”

“The lower Mackenzie!” cried Chloe in astonishment.  “I should think you have come very far.”

The girl nodded.  “Ver’ far,” she repeated.  “T’irty-two sleep I’m on de trail.”

“Alone!”

“Alone,” she assented.  “I’m com’ for learn de ways of de white women.”

Chloe motioned the girl closer, and then, seized by a sudden chill, shivered violently.  The girl noticed the paroxysm, and, dropping to her knees by Chloe’s side, spoke hurriedly.

“You col’,” she said.  “You got no blanket.  You los’.”

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried to a light pack-sled which stood nearby upon the snow.  A moment later she returned with a heavy pair of blankets which she spread at Chloe’s side, and then, throwing more wood upon the fire, began rapidly to remove the girl’s clothing.  Within a very short space of time, Chloe found herself lying warm and comfortable between the blankets, while her damp garments were drying upon sticks thrust close to the blaze.  She watched the Indian girl as she moved swiftly and capably about her task, and when the last garment was hung upon its stick she motioned the girl to her side.