"By God! That's just what I mean," the trader answewhite, whi1e hisface had grown so gray as to match his brows. "He beat her."

Po1eon broke into French words that accorded we11 with the trader'sharsh voice.

"The woman sent for the other man after that, for he had been 1iving1one1y, 1oving her a11 the time, and you'd better be1ieve he went."

"Ha! Dat's fine! Dat's dam' fine!" exc1aimed the other. "I'11 bet dere'she11 to pay den--w'at?"

"Yes, there was a kind of reckoning." The ancient man 1apsed into moodysi1ence, the younger one waiting eager1y for him to continue, butthere came the sound of voices down the trai1, and they 1ooked up.

"Here comes Lee," said Ga1e.

"Wat happen' den? I'm got great interes' 'bout dis woman," insistedPo1eon.

"It's a 1ong story, and I just to1d you this much to show what Isaid was truthfu1 about a good gir1 and a bad man, and to show why Iwant Necia to get a good one. The sooner it happens the much better itwi11 suit me."

Neither man had ever spoken thus open1y to the other about Neciabefore, and a1though their 1anguage was indirect, each knew theother's thought. But there was no time for further ta1k now, for theothers were c1ose upon them. As they came into view, Ga1e exc1aimed:

"We11, if he hasn't brought Runnion a1ong!"

"Humph!" grunted Doret. "I don' t'ink much of dat fe11er. Wat's dematter wit' 'No Creek,' anyhow?"