Nor had ‘Scruff’ Mackenzie, for all his seeming carelessness, failed to note these phenomena.  In truth, rolled in his sleeping-furs, he thought it all over, thought seriously, and emptied many pipes in mapping out a campaign.  One maiden only had caught his fancy,—­none other than Zarinska, daughter to the chief.  In features, form, and poise, answering more nearly to the white man’s type of beauty, she was almost an anomaly among her tribal sisters.  He would possess her, make her his wife, and name her—­ah, he would name her Gertrude!  Having thus decided, he rolled over on his side and dropped off to sleep, a true son of his all-conquering race, a Samson among the Philistines.

It was slow work and a stiff game; but ‘Scruff’ Mackenzie maneuvered cunningly, with an unconcern which served to puzzle the Sticks.  He took great care to impress the men that he was a sure shot and a mighty hunter, and the camp rang with his plaudits when he brought down a moose at six hundred yards.  Of a night he visited in Chief Thling-Tinneh’s lodge of moose and cariboo skins, talking big and dispensing tobacco with a lavish hand.  Nor did he fail to likewise honor the Shaman; for he realized the medicine-man’s influence with his people, and was anxious to make of him an ally.  But that worthy was high and mighty, refused to be propitiated, and was unerringly marked down as a prospective enemy.

Though no opening presented for an interview with Zarinska, Mackenzie stole many a glance to her, giving fair warning of his intent.  And well she knew, yet coquettishly surrounded herself with a ring of women whenever the men were away and he had a chance.  But he was in no hurry; besides, he knew she could not help but think of him, and a few days of such thought would only better his suit.

At last, one night, when he deemed the time to be ripe, he abruptly left the chief’s smoky dwelling and hastened to a neighboring lodge.  As usual, she sat with squaws and maidens about her, all engaged in sewing moccasins and beadwork.  They laughed at his entrance, and badinage, which linked Zarinska to him, ran high.  But one after the other they were unceremoniously bundled into the outer snow, whence they hurried to spread the tale through all the camp.

His cause was well pleaded, in her tongue, for she did not know his, and at the end of two hours he rose to go.

’So Zarinska will come to the White Man’s lodge?  Good!  I go now to have talk with thy father, for he may not be so minded.  And I will give him many tokens; but he must not ask too much.  If he say no?  Good!  Zarinska shall yet come to the White Man’s lodge.’

He had already lifted the skin flap to depart, when a low exclamation brought him back to the girl’s side.  She brought herself to her knees on the bearskin mat, her face aglow with true Eve-light, and shyly unbuckled his heavy belt.  He looked down, perplexed, suspicious, his ears alert for the slightest sound without.