Part 30 (2/2)

THE NEXT DAY

Sam was awakened by the rising sun. He arose sore in spirit and unrefreshed. It promised to be a brilliant day, with a gentle breeze from the west. Such a wind would blow him to the foot of the lake, the nearest sh.o.r.e, and, observing it, he immediately started to drag the logs he had collected down to the water's edge, careless now if Bela discovered what he was about. Let her try to stop him if she dared!

Building a raft promised to be no easy task. He was without hammer and nails, and he had not been long enough in the country to learn how it might be done without. His only tool was a pocket knife.

After several fruitless experiments, he hit upon the scheme of las.h.i.+ng the logs together with withes of willow. It promised to be an all-day job, and a clumsy one at the best. Still, if the wind held fair and light, it might serve. Raising a mast presented another problem. He deferred consideration of that until he got the raft built.

After a while Bela appeared around the sh.o.r.e, bringing his breakfast.

Sam essayed taking a leaf out of her book by making believe to be oblivious of her. She put the plate down and watched him for a while.

Sam, under her gaze, became horribly conscious of the crudeness of his handiwork, but he worked ahead, whistling.

Finally she said scornfully: ”You can't get to sh.o.r.e on that.”

No answer from Sam.

”When you sit down, her bend in the middle. Water come over you. Raft got be hard lak a floor.”

Another silence.

”W'en wind blow she all bus' up.”

No answer being forthcoming, Bela shrugged and sat down in the sand as if she meant to spend the morning there. She gazed across the lake.

Sam scowled and fidgeted. Something told him that when it came to holding one's tongue, Bela could beat him hollow. He worked doggedly on, careful never to look in her direction.

After a while the astonis.h.i.+ng girl rose and said calmly: ”I tak you to sh.o.r.e in my canoe now.”

Sam dropped his willow strips and stared. ”Eh?”

”I say I ready tak you to sh.o.r.e now,” she repeated.

”What does this mean?” Sam demanded.

She shrugged slightly. ”Ask no question. Come, if you want.”

”To what sh.o.r.e?” he demanded suspiciously.

”Anywhere. Better go to little river, I guess. Wind blow us there to-day. Maybe blow hard after.”

”What are you up to now?” he muttered.

She had already turned up the beach. ”I go get ready,” she said over her shoulder. ”Better come quick.”

She disappeared around the sh.o.r.e, leaving him much perturbed in mind.

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