Burrell, as he left the barracks, but he must allay these fears that
were besetting him, he must see Necia at once. The low, drifting
clouds obscured what star-glow there was in the heavens, and he
stepped back to light a lantern. By its light he looked at his watch
and exclaimed, then held it to his ear. Five hours had passed since
he left Gale's house. Well, the call was urgent, and Necia would
understand his anxiety.

A few moments later he stood above the squaw, who crouched on the
trader's doorstep, wailing her death song into the night. He could
not check her; she paid no heed to him, but only rocked and moaned
and chanted that strange, weird song which somehow gave strength to
his fears.

"What's wrong; where is Necia? Where is she?" he demanded, and at
last seized her roughly, facing her to the light, but Alluna only
blinked owlishly at his lantern and shook her head.

"Gone away," she finally informed him, and began to weave again in
her despair, but he held her fiercely.

"Where has she gone? When did she go?" He shook her to quicken her
reply.

"I don' know. I don' know. Long time she's gone now." She trailed
off into Indian words he could not comprehend, so he pushed past her
into the house to see for himself, and without knocking flung
Necia's door open and stepped into her chamber. Before he had swept
the unfamiliar room with his eyes he knew that she had indeed gone,
and gone hurriedly, for the signs of disorder betrayed a reckless