habitation they encountered. The two men disappeared again, and her
fears had begun to prey on her a second time when she beheld the big
Canadian returning. He was hurrying a bit, apparently to be rid of
the mosquitoes that swarmed about him; and she marked that, in
addition to whipping himself with a handful of blueberry bushes, he
wore Runnion's coat to protect his shoulders.

"Woof! Dose skeeter bug is hongry," he cried. "Let's we pass on de
river queeck."

"You didn't touch him again?"

"No, no. I'm t'rough wit' 'im."

She was only too eager to be away from the spot, and an instant
later they were afloat in the Peterborough.

"Dis nice batteau," Poleon remarked, critically. "I mak' it go
fas'," and began to row swiftly, seeking the breeze of the open
river in which to shake off the horde of stinging pests that had
risen with the sun. "I come 'way queeck wit'out t'inkin' 'bout gun
or skeeter net or not'in'. Runnion she's len' me dis coat, so mebbe
I don' look so worse lak' I do jus' now, eh?"

"How did you leave him? Is he badly injured?"

"No, I bus' it up on de face an' de rib, but she's feelin' good now.
Yes. I'm leave 'im nice place for stop an' wait on de steamboat--
plaintee spruce bough for set on."