Part 15 (1/2)
Both Beatrice and Ben could sense the new wakening and revival in the still depths about them. The forest was hushed, tremulous, yet vibrant and ecstatic with renewed life. The old grizzly bear had left his winter lair; and good feeding was putting the fat again on his bones; the old cow moose had stolen away into the farther marshes for some mystery and miracle of her own. Everywhere young calves of caribou were breathing the air for the first time, trying to stand on wobbly legs and pus.h.i.+ng with greedy noses into overflowing udders. The rich new gra.s.s yielded milk in plenty for all these wilderness nurslings. Even the she-wolf forgot her wicked savagery to nurse and fondle her whelps in the lair; even the she-lynx, hunting with renewed fervor through the branches, knew of a marvelous secret in a hollow log that she would be torn to sc.r.a.ps of fur rather than reveal.
The she-ermine, her white hair falling out, was brooding a litter of cutthroats and murderers in a nest of gra.s.s and twigs, and each one of them was a source of pride and joy to her mother heart. Even the wolverine had some wicked-eyed little cubs that, to her, were precious beyond rubies; but which would ultimately receive all the oaths in the language for stealing bait on the trap lines out from the settlements.
Beatrice, a woods creature herself, knew the stir and thrill of spring; but there were also more personal, more deeply hidden reasons why she was happy to-day. She was certainly a very girlish-girl in most ways, with even more than the usual allowance of romance and sentiment, and the idea of an all-day picnic with this stalwart forester went straight home to her imagination. She had been tremendously impressed with him from the first, and the day's ride out from Snowy Gulch had brought him very close to her indeed. And what might not the day bring forth! What mystery and wonder might come to pa.s.s!
Her dark eyes were l.u.s.trous, and the haunting sadness they often held was quite gone. Her face was faintly flushed, her red lips wistful, every motion eager and happy as a child's. But Ben looked at her unmoved.
Coldly his eye leaped over her supple, slender form. He saw with relief that she was stoutly clad in middy and skirt of wool, wool stockings, and solid little boots. The heavy coat she had brought was not particularly noteworthy in these woods, but it would have drawn instant admiration from knowing people of a great city. It was not cut with particular style, neither was it beautifully lined, but the fabric itself was plucked otter,--the dark, well-wearing fur of many lights and of matchless l.u.s.ter and beauty.
”For goodness sake, Mr. Darby,” the girl cried. ”What have you got in this boat? Surely that isn't just the lunch--” She pointed to the pile of supplies, covered by the blankets, in the center of the craft.
”It looks like we had enough to stay a month, doesn't it?” he laughed.
”There's blankets there, of course--for table cloths and to make us comfortable--and the lunch, and a pillow or two--and some little surprises. The rest is just some stores that I'm going to take this opportunity to put across the river--to my next camp. Now, Miss Neilson--if you'll take the seat in the bow. Fenris is going to ride in the middle--”
The girl's eyes fell with some apprehension on the s.h.a.ggy wolf. ”I haven't established very friendly relations with Fenris--”
”I'd leave him at home, but he won't stand for it. Besides I'd like to teach him how to retrieve grouse. Lie down, old boy.” Ben motioned, and Fenris sprawled at his feet. ”Now come here and pet him, Miss Neilson.
His fur, at this season, is wonderful--”
Reluctant to show her fear before Ben, the girl drew near. The wolf s.h.i.+vered as the soft hand touched his side and moved slowly to his fierce head; but he gave no further sign of enmity.
”He understands,” Ben explained. ”He realizes that I've accepted you, and you're all right. Until he's given orders otherwise, he'll treat you with the greatest respect.”
She was deeply and sincerely pleased. It did not occur to her, in the least, little degree, that occasion could possibly arise whereby contradictory orders would be given. Ben started to help her into the boat.
”You've not forgotten anything?” he asked casually.
”Nothing I can think of.”
”Got plenty of extra sh.e.l.ls?”
”Part of a box. It's a small caliber automatic, you see, and a box holds fifty.”
”It is, eh?” Ben's tone indicated deep interest. ”May I see 'em a minute? I think I had a gun like it once. Not the gun--just the box of sh.e.l.ls.”
She had strapped the weapon around her waist, by now, so she didn't attempt to put it in his hands. From her pocket she procured a small box of sh.e.l.ls, and these she pa.s.sed to him. He examined them with a great show of interest, balancing their weight in the palm of his hand; then he carelessly threw the box down among the duffle in front of the stern seat. Presently he started to push off.
”You're not taking the other paddle?” the girl asked curiously.
”No. I don't believe in letting young ladies work when I take 'em on an outing. You are just to sit in the bow and enjoy yourself. Fenris, sit still and don't rock the boat!”
Just one moment more he hesitated. From his pocket he drew a piece of paper, carefully folded and sealed with tallow. This he inserted into a little crack in the blade of the second paddle--the one that was to be left at the landing.
”Just a little note for your father,” he explained, ”to tell him where we are, in case he worries about you.”
”That's very considerate of you,” the girl answered in a thoughtful voice.
She wondered at the curious glowings, lurid as red coals, that came and went in his eyes.
XIX