The Yale expositor., 1918-04-18

Even in her fear, born OF the night,
the circumstances, and partly of the
man, Hazel noticed that his speech was
of a different order from that TO which
she had been listening the past ten
days. His e%nunciation was perfect.
He dropped no word endings, nor
slurred his syllables. And cast in so
odd a mold Is the mind OF civilized
woman that the small matter of a little
refinement of speech put Hazel Weir
more at her ease than a volume Of
explanation or protest or his part
would have done.
81 got lost" she explained, growing
suddenly calm. 81 was out walking,
and lost my way"
easy thing to do when you don't
Know timber" Bill remarked. "And in
consequence you haven't had any sup
per; you've been scared almost to
death-and probably all of Cariboo
Meadows is out looking for YOU. Well.
you've had an adventure. That's worth
something. Better eat a bite, and
you'll feel better"
III ulhCu ONNl NlC DlCNC VI lCut OA
the Goals while he spoke. Hazel saw
that it lay on two green sticks. like a
steak on n gridlron. 1t was quite
simple. but she would never have
thought Of that. The meat exhaled
savory Odors. Also, the warmth of the
fire seemed good. But
"Td rather be home" she confessed.
"Sure! I guess you would-natu-
rally. I'll see that you get there,
though it won't be easy. It's no snap
to travel these woods in the dark. You
couldn't have been so far from the
Meadows. How did 1t come you didn't
yell once in a while?"
II didn't think it was necessary"
Hazel admitted. until it began to get
dark. And then l didn't like to-"
He dug some utensils out of his pack
layout-two plates, knife. fork and
spoons, and laid them by the fire. OPP
posite the meat a pot of water bubbled.
Roaring Bill produced a small tin
bucket, black with the smoke of many
an open fire, and a package. and make
coffee. Then he spread a canvas sheet,
and laid on that bread, butter, salt. a
jar of preserved fruit.
allow far is it to Cariboo Meadows?"
Hazel asked.
Bill looked up from his supper prep
arations.
you've got me-" he returned care
lessly. probably four or five miles.
I'm not positive; I've been running in
circles myself this afternoon"
Good heavens" Hazel exclaimed.
"But you know the wayT"
like n book-in the daytime" he
replied. But night in the timber is
another story, as you've just been find
ing out for yourself"
1T thought men accustomed to the
wilderness could always find their way
about, day or night" Hazel observed
tartly.
"They can-in Stories" Bill an
swered dryly.
She had to be satisfied with his as
surance that he would see her to Carl
boo Meadows. And, accepting the stu
alton with what philosophy she could
command, Hazel proceeded to fall to
and soon discovered herself relishing
the food more than any meal she had
eaten for q long time. Hunger Is the
king Of appetizers, and food cooked In
the open has a flavor of its W which
no aproned chef can duplicate. Roar
ing Bill put half the piece Of meat on
her plate, sliced bread for her. and set
the butter handy. Also, he poured her
a cup Of coffee. He had a small sack
Of sugar, and his pack boxes yielded
condensed milk.
"What sort of meat is thatT" Hazel
asked after a few minutes of silence.
It was fne-grained and Of a rich fla
vOr strange to her mouth. She liked
1t. but it was neither beef, pork nor
mutton, nor any meat she knew.
"Venison. Didn't you ever eat any
beforeT' he smiled.
"Never tasted It," she answered.
isn't it nice? No, I've read of hunters
cooking venison over an open fire, nut
this is my first taste. Indeed, I've
never seen a real camp fire before"
"Lord-what a lot you've missed "
There was real pity in his tone. II
kllleu JnaJ ueer lOudy. buNc SVinc
more coffee"
He refilled her tin cup, and devoted
himself to his food. Before long they
had satisfied their hunger. Bill laid
a few dry sticks on the fire. The flames
laid hold of them and shot up in bright,
wavering tongues. 1t seemed to Hazel
that she had stepped utterly out of her
world. Cariboo Meadows, the school
house, and her classes seemed remote.
She found herself wishing she were a
man, so that she could fare into the
wilds with horses and a gun in this
capable man fashion, where routine
went by the board and the unexpected
lowered always close at hand. She
looked up suddenly, to find him regard
ing her with a whimsical smile.
"In a few minutes" said he, I'll
pack up and try to deliver you as per
contract. Meantime, I'm going to
smoke"
He did not ask her permission, but