Evening star., 1933-12-03
CHAPTER XVII.
NJTT on THE Foo

1.-TWO mornings later, at her camp
40 miles up river, Sonya awoke
at daybreak, parted the tent
i flap and looked out. Ralph and
the two guides we're still rolled
I'D in their sleeping bags.
Through the gray smoke mist rising
from the cold waters of the Lilluar,
pairs of nesting teal and ducks tipped
overhead. their swift wings whistling
long after the birds were swallowed up
in the mist. Overhead, in the tall pines,
little vireos and flame -colored warblers,
fitting through the branches and dart
ing out into the air, were already busy
with the fledgling problem.
Stepping down to the water edge. she
propped her mirror against a stone.
bathed her face and hands and braided
her hair. Back at the campfire, she
raked some Goals out Of the ashes, got
a fire going, and cooked bacon. trout,
scones and coffee. Ralph and the two
guides still showed no signs OF waking
so she took small bucket and started
up q mountain torrent to thicket OF
red raspberries.
Not long after she reached the patch
she happened to glance back at camp,
and was startled to see canoe nosing
out OF the river fog-a canoe with two
men in it. They glided ashore, beached
the craft and walked up to her fire,
with their rifles in the crook OF their
arms. And then she recognized them
as Curt Ralston and his young partner!
They were a welcome surprise, out
of the fog. For several reasons she
was never more glad TO see people than
those two. But what were they doing
up the Lilluar? They hadn't men
toned that they intended to come north
from Russian Lake.
Through a screen of boughs she
watched them minute. They did not
wake Ralph or the guides. Curt pointed
at her breakfast, keeping warm in the
| ashes, and looked around for her, evi-
| IDENTIFY knowing she was up.
She stepped out to the timber edge.
Curt saw her then, and came up along
| the torrent.
You're awake early" he greeted,
with his likable smile.
He was casual enough, as though Just
meeting some chance acquaintance, but
Sonya saw the mans tribute to her in
his eyes and noticed how his glance
chung to her face and hair. She felt
sure he had not come upon her camp
by accident, but with some definite
purpose.
Il COUNT sleep with a morning like
your breakfast looked so good that
Paul and 1 almost grabbed it and broke
| for the woods
You will stay and have breakfast
with us, won't you?"
IF you'll let me give you q hand
with that berry-picking.
'All right"
He took up her bucket, and they went
back along the torrent to the patch.
Il didn't know Paul and you were
intending to come up this way" she
remarked. bending down a tall briar.
He answered her unspoken question.
Were prospecting up the Lilluar."
Sonya did not know whether to be-
lieve him or rot. Ever since meeting
him she had been trying to figure him
prospector. He was miles above the
type.
Except for her father. she had never
| met a man whose quiet. efficient power
| impressed her as much as his. She
| hated to think that he was just a
| drifter, leading a carefree existence.
That was all right for the men at Rus
sian Lake, but he had better stuff in
him.
Paul and are going up as far as
| the pass" he volunteered presently.
And then he came out with the pur-
pose of his visit. IF there's no objec-
! ton on the east side of the fence, our
parties could scrt of be neighbors. In
this country people usually throw in
| together that way"
His offer, as fine as it was unex-
pected, nearly took Sonya's breath
She wanted to snap it up instantly, be-
fore he could change his mind. Two
days of river travel had showed hel
how little she and Ralph knew about
the Strong Woods and how worthless
those lazy guides were. With Curt lead
ing the party she could feel safe, and
If anybody could get on good terms
with the Klosohees. he was the man to
do it.