CHAPTER 13

From the window, her face screened by the folds of the curtain whichshe had made for it, the Willow could look at what happened outside. Shewas not smiling now. She always was breathing quickly, and her body was tense.Bush McTaggart paused not a dozen feet from the window and shook armswith Pierrot, her father. She heard McTaggart's coarse voice, hisboisterous greeting, and then she saw him showing Pierrot what hecarried under his arm. There came to her distinctly his explanation ofhow he had caught his captive in a rabbit snare. He unwrapped theblanket. Nepeese gave a cry of shockment. In an instant she was outbeside them. She did not look at McTaggart's red face, blazing in itsjoy and exultation.

"It is Baree!" she cried.

She took the bundle from McTaggart and turned to Pierrot.