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munched at the hay that had been thrown to them。 The smoke of many fires
curled upward； and near the blaze hovered ruddy…faced women who stirred the
contents of steaming kettles。 One man swung an axe with a vigorous sweep； and
the clean； sharp strokes rang on the air； another hammered stakes into the
ground on which to hang a kettle。 Before a large cabin a fur…trader was
exhibiting his wares to three Indians。 A second redskin was carrying a pack of
pelts from a canoe drawn up on the river bank。 A small group of persons stood
near； some were indifferent； and others gazed curiously at the savages。 Two
children peeped from behind their mother's skirts as if half…curious；
half…frightened。
From this scene； the significance of which had just dawned on him； Joe turned
his eyes again to his companion。 It was a sweet face he saw； one that was
sedate； but had a promise of innumerable smiles。 The blue eyes could not long
hide flashes of merriment。 The girl turned； and；the two young people looked at
each other。 Her eyes softened with a woman's gentleness as they rested upon
him； for； broad of shoulder； and lithe and strong as a deer stalker； he was
good to look at。
〃Listen；〃 she said。 〃We have known each other only three weeks。 Since you
joined our wagon…train； and have been so kind to me and so helpful to make
that long； rough ride endurable； you have won my regard。 II cannot say more；
even if I would。 You told me you ran away from your Virginian home to seek
adventure on the frontier； and that you knew no one in all this wild country。
You even said you could not； or would not； work at farming。 Perhaps my sister
and I are as unfitted as you for this life； but we must cling to our uncle
because he is the only relative we have。 He has come out here to join the
Moravians； and to preach the gospel to these Indians。 We shall share his
life； and help him all we can。 You have been telling me youyou cared for me；
and now that we are about to part II don't know what to say to youunless
it is： Give up this intention of yours to seek adventure； and come with us。 It
seems to me you need not hunt for excitement here； it will come unsought。〃
〃I wish I were Jim；〃 said he； suddenly。
〃Who is Jim？〃
〃My brother。〃
〃Tell me of him。〃
〃There's nothing much to tell。 He and I are all that are left of our people；
as are you and Kate of yours。 Jim's a preacher； and the best fellowoh！ I
cared a lot for Jim。〃
〃Then； why did you leave him？〃
〃I was tired of WilliamsburgI quarreled with a fellow； and hurt him。
Besides； I wanted to see the West； I'd like to hunt deer and bear and fight
Indians。 Oh； I'm not much good。〃
〃Was Jim the only one you cared for？〃 asked Nell； smiling。 She was surprised
to find him grave。
〃Yes； except my horse and dog； and I had to leave them behind；〃 answered Joe；
bowing his head a little。
〃You'd like to be Jim because he's a preacher； and could help uncle convert
the Indians？〃
〃Yes； partly that； but mostly becausesomehowsomething you've said or done
has made me care for you in a different way； and I'd like to be worthy of
you。〃
〃I don't think I can believe it； when you say you are 'no good；'〃 she replied。
〃Nell；〃 he cried； and suddenly grasped her hand。
She wrenched herself free； and leaped away from him。 Her face was bright now；
and the promise of smiles was made good。
〃Behave yourself； sir。〃 She tossed her head with a familiar backward motion to
throw the chestnut hair from her face； and looked at him with eyes veiled
slightly under their lashes。 〃You will go with Kate and me？〃
Before he could answer； a cry from some one on the plain below attracted their
attention。 They turned and saw another wagon…train pulling into the
settlement。 The children were shooting and running alongside the weary oxen；
men and women went forward expectantly。
〃That must be the train uncle expected。 Let us go down；〃 said Nell。
Joe did not answer； but followed her down the path。 When they gained a clump
of willows near the cabins he bent forward and took her hand。 She saw the
reckless gleam in his eyes。
〃Don't。 They'll see；〃 she whispered。
〃If that's the only reason you have； I reckon I don't care；〃 said Joe。
〃What do you mean？ I didn't sayI didn't telloh！ let me go！〃 implored Nell。
She tried to release the hand Joe had grasped in his broad palm； but in vain；
the more she struggled the firmer was his hold。 A frown wrinkled her brow and
her eyes。 sparkled with spirit。 She saw the fur…tader's wife looking out of
the window； and remembered laughing and telling the good woman she did not
like this young man； it was； perhaps； because she feared those sharp eyes that
she resented his audacity。 She opened her mouth to rebuke him； but no words
came。 Joe had bent his head and softly closed her lips with his own。
For the single instant during which Nell stood transfixed； as if with
surprise； and looking up at Joe； she was dumb。 Usually the girl was ready with
sharp or saucy words and impulsive in her movements； but now the bewilderment
of being kissed； particularly within view of the trader's wife； confused her。
Then she heard voices； and as Joe turned away with a smile on his face； the
unusual warmth in her heart was followed by an angry throbbing。
Joe's tall figure stood out distinctly as he leisurely strolled toward the
incoming wagon…train without looking backward。 Flashing after him a glance
that boded wordy trouble in the future； she ran into the cabin。
As she entered the door it seemed certain the grizzled frontiersman sitting on
the bench outside had grinned knowingly at her； and winked as if to say he
would keep her secret。 Mrs。 Wentz； the fur…trader's wife； was seated by the
open window which faced the fort； she was a large woman； strong of feature；
and with that calm placidity of expression common to people who have lived
long in sparsely populated districts。 Nell glanced furtively at her and
thought she detected the shadow of a smile in the gray eyes。
〃I saw you and your sweetheart makin' love behind the willow；〃 Mrs。 Wentz said
in a matter…of…fact voice。 〃I don't see why you need hide to do it。 We folks
out here like to see the young people sparkin'。 Your young man is a
fine…appearin' chap。 I felt certain you was sweethearts； for all you allowed
you'd known him only a few days。 Lize Davis said she saw he was sweet on you。
I like his face。 Jake； my man； says as how he'll make a good husband for you；
and he'll take to the frontier like a duck does to water。 I'm sorry you'll not
tarry here awhile。 We don't see many lasses； especially any as pretty as you；
and you'll find it more quiet and lonesome the farther West you get。 Jake
knows all about Fort Henry； and Jeff Lynn； the hunter outside； he knows Eb and
Jack Zane； and Wetzel； and all those Fort Henry men。 You'll be gettin' married
out there； won't you？〃
〃You arequite wrong；〃 said Nell； who all the