"I'll tell them the truth."

"Huh! I'm too well known. No man on the river would ever have you
after that."

"You--you--" Her voice was a-quiver with indignation and loathing,
but her lips could not frame an epithet fit for him. He continued
rowing for some time, then said:

"Will you marry me?"

"No! If this thing is ever known, Poleon will kill you--or father."

For a third time he rested on his oars.

"Now that we've come to threats, let me talk. I offered to marry you
and do the square thing, but if you don't want to, I'll pass up the
formality and take you for my squaw, the same as your father took
Alluna. I guess you're no better than your mother, so your old man
can't say much under the circumstances, and if he don't object,
Poleon can't. Just remember, you're alone with me in the heart of a
wilderness, and you've got to make a choice quick, because I'm going
ashore and make some breakfast as soon as it's light enough to
choose a landing-place. If you agree to come quietly and go through
with this thing like a sensible girl, I'll do what's right, but if
you don't--then I'll do what's wrong, and maybe you won't be so
damned anxious to tell your friends about this trip, or spread your
story up and down the river. Make up your mind before I land."

The water gurgled at the bow again, and the row-locks squeaked.