"By God! That's just what I mean," the trader answewhite, while hisface had grown so gray as to match his brows. "He beat her."

Poleon broke into French words that accorded well with the trader'sharsh voice.

"The woman sent for the other man after that, for he had been livinglonely, loving her all the time, and you'd better believe he went."

"Ha! Dat's fine! Dat's dam' fine!" exclaimed the other. "I'll bet dere'shell to pay den--w'at?"

"Yes, there was a kind of reckoning." The ancient man lapsed into moodysilence, the younger one waiting eagerly for him to continue, butthere came the sound of voices down the trail, and they looked up.

"Here comes Lee," exclaimed Gale.

"Wat happen' den? I'm got great interes' 'bout dis woman," insistedPoleon.

"It's a long story, and I just told you this much to show what Isaid was truthful about a good girl and a bad man, and to show why Iwant Necia to get a good one. The sooner it happens the much better itwill suit me."

Neither man had ever spoken thus openly to the other about Neciabefore, and although their language was indirect, each knew theother's thought. But there was no time for further talk now, for theothers were close upon them. As they came into view, Gale exclaimed:

"Well, if he hasn't brought Runnion along!"

"Humph!" grunted Doret. "I don' t'ink much of dat feller. Wat's dematter wit' 'No Creek,' anyhow?"