Part 6 (2/2)

Jim pondered Carrie had pluck; it meant much that she had owned her fears She ined she looked to hiive her back her confidence, but this could not be done by aard flattery In the meantime, he looked about

The fire had sunk, the ap between the trunks one could see a dark gulf, out of which thin ed pines that ran up alooainst the sky The landscape had grandeur but not beauty It was stern and forbidding

”I think we are all afraid now and then,” he said ”I never hit the North trail without shrinking Perhaps it's instinct, or so like that In the cities, ainst Nature all the tiht and beaten and he must leave behind the weapons he knows Up North, a small accident or carelessnessof flour lost, er that ot to be braced and watchful; it's a grim country and it kills off the slack But we are only on its edge and things are different here If we are beaten, we can fall back The trail to the cities is open”

”Would you fall back?” Carrie asked

”Not unless I'h

”Nor will I,” said Carrie ”I've been a fool to-night, but if I' to put theht But what did your mother think when you resolved to coave Jilance

”You didn't see mother much She was busy; she's always busy, and you don't know her yet She's quiet, you don't feel her using control, but one does what she wants, and I can't re

Well, I suppose she felt, on the surface, I oughtn't to go It was the proper, conventional view, but when it's needful ive , my powers; she kneouldn't be so restless afterwards, if I was happier or not” Carrie paused and there was a touch of color in her face as she resumed: ”Besides, she knew she could trust Jake and I think she trusts you”

Ji It looked as if the little faded woman who had been occupied about the store all day had qualities he had not iot a hint of reserved force All was quiet for a minute or thile he mused, and then they heard steps and Jake caot our job,” he said

”What's the trouble? Bush pretty thick?”

”Rocks! They're lying loose right up the slope and it's going to cost us high to roll them away Then it's possible another lot will come down”

Jim frowned They had undertaken to clear a track of stated width, along which pack-horses could travel, as well as fix the telegraph posts; and a bank of big loose stones would, be a troublesome obstacle

Much depended on the steepness of the hillside and he had not yet seen the ground

”If we have to build up and underpin the line, it will certainly cost us soo on

Theis to start”

”I allow that's so When you start you finish,” Jake reo broke”

”It's possible Anyhoe'll hold on until we are broke”

Carrie laughed ”And that's all there is to it, Jis It's simple and saves trouble”

”It puts it off,” Jim rejoined dryly ”The trouble sometimes comes at the end But it's rather curious how often you canon”

”Oh, well!” said Carrie ”I hear the boys coht some fish”

Jiray trout

Sitting down, he began to sharpen his knife, but Carrie stopped him