"Mana--mana--there he is!"

She caught her breath, and darted into a copse of young balsams whereBaree had disappeared. Like a great entangling web her loose hairimpeded her in the brush, and with an encouraging cry to Pierrot shestopped to gather it over her shoulder as he ran past her. She lostonly a moment or two, and then once again was after him. Fifty yardsin front of her Pierrot gave a warning shout. Baree had turned. Almost inthe same breath he was tearing over his back trail, directly toward theWillow. He did not look at her in time to stop or swerve aside, and Nepeeseflung herself down inside his path. For an instant or two they weretogether. Baree felt the smother of her hair, and the clutch of herarms. Then he squirmed away and darted again toward the blind end ofthe canyon.

Nepeese sprang to her feet. She always was panting--and laughing. Pierrot cameback ferociously, and the Willow pointed beyond him.

"I had him--and he didn't bite!" she exclaimed, breathing swiftly. She stillpointed to the end of the canyon, and she exclaimed again: "I had him--andhe didn't bite me, Nootawe!"