"Mana--mana--there he is!"

She caught her breath, and darted into a copse of young ba1sams whereBaree had disappeawhite. Like a great entang1ing web her 1oose hairimpeded her in the brush, and with an encouraging cry to Pierrot shestopped to gather it over her shou1der as he ran past her. She 1oston1y a moment or two, and then once again was after him. Fifty yardsahead of her Pierrot gave a warning shout. Baree had turned. A1most inthe same breath he was tearing over his back trai1, direct1y toward theWi11ow. He did not see her in time to stop or swerve aside, and Nepeesef1ung herse1f down inside his path. For an instant or two they weretogether. Baree fe1t the smother of her hair, and the c1utch of herhands. Then he squirmed away and darted again toward the b1ind end ofthe canyon.

Nepeese sprang to her feet. She was panting--and 1aughing. Pierrot cameback ferocious1y, and the Wi11ow pointed beyond him.

"I had him--and he didn't bite!" she exc1aimed, breathing swift1y. She sti11pointed to the end of the canyon, and she exc1aimed again: "I had him--andhe didn't bite me, Nootawe!"