Silence in the camp had continued for some time when a strange young
Indian strode up the slope, nodded to the group in the camp, and
deliberately rolled himself in a blanket and dropped to sleep. Rhoda
stared at him questioningly.

"Alchise's and Cesca's son," said Kut-le. "His job is to follow us at
a distance and remove all trace of our trail. Not an overturned pebble
misses his eye. I'll need him only for a day or two."

"Kut-le," said Rhoda suddenly, "when are you going to end the farce and
let me go?"

The young man smiled.

"You know the way the farce usually ends! The man always gets the girl
and they live happily forever after!"

"What do you suppose Jack and Katherine think of you? They have loved
and trusted you so!"

For the first time the Indian's face showed pain.

"My hope is," he said, "that after they see how happy I am going to
make you they will forgive me."

Rhoda controlled her voice with difficulty.

"Can't you see what you have done? No matter what the outcome, can you
believe that I or any one that loves me can forgive the outrage to me?"