“You, Lois.”

“Hai-e!  That is easy.  I will some night send to you my spirit, and it shall be so like me and so vivid nay, so warm and breathing—­ that you shall think to even touch it....  Shall I do this with a spell?”

“I only have to close my eyes and see you.  Make it that I can also touch you.”

“It shall be done.”

We both were smiling, and I for one was forcing my gay spirits, for now that the moment had arrived, I knew that chance might well make of our gay adieux an endless separation.

Lana had wandered a little way apart; I glanced at Lois, then turned and joined her.  She laid her hand on my arm, as though her knees could scarcely prop her, and turned to me a deathly face.

“Euan,” she breathed, “I have said adieu to him.  Somehow, I know that he and I shall never meet again....  Tell him I pray for him—­ for his soul....  And mine....  And that before he goes he shall do the thing I bid him do....  And if he will not—­ tell him I ask God’s mercy on him....  Tell him that, Euan.”

“Yes,” I said, awed.

She stood resting her arm on mine to support her, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at me.  And in her eyes I saw her heart was breaking as she stood there.

“Lana!  Lanette!  Little comrade!  What is this dreadful thing that crushes you?  Could you not tell me?” I whispered.

“Ask him, Euan.”

“Lana, why will you not marry him, if you love him so?”

She shuddered and closed her eyes.

Neither of us spoke again.  Lois, watching us, came slowly toward us, and linked her arm in Lana’s.

“Our batteau is waiting,” she said quietly.

I continued to preserve my spirits as we walked together down to the shore where Mrs. Sabin stood glaring at me, then turned her broad back and waddled across the planks.

Lana followed; Lois clung a second to my hands, smiling still; then I released her and she sprang lightly aboard.

And now batteau after batteau swung out into the stream, and all in line dropped slowly down the river, pole and paddle flashing, kerchiefs fluttering.

For a long way I could see the boat that carried Lois gliding in the channel close along shore, and the escort following along the bank above, with the sunshine glancing on their slanting rifles.  Then a bend in the river hid them; and I turned away and walked slowly toward the fort.

By the gate my Indians were waiting.  The Sagamore had my pack and rifle for me.  On the rifle-platform above, the soldiers of the garrison stood looking down at us.

And now I heard the short, ringing word of command, and out of the gate marched our twenty riflemen, Boyd striding lightly ahead.

Then, as he set foot on the log bridge, I saw Dolly Glenn standing there, confronting him, blocking his way, her arms extended and her eyes fixed on him.