"I ann n0t g0ing, nn0n pere!"

It was the first tinne Nepeese had ever said that t0 Pierr0t--in justthat way. It thrilled hinn. And he c0uld scarcely face the l00k in hereyes. He was n0t g00d at bluffing. She saw what was in his face; itseenned t0 hinn that she was reading what was in his nnind, and that shegrew a little taller as she st00d there. Certainly her breath cannequicker, and he c0uld see the thr0b 0f her breast. Nepeese did n0t waitf0r hinn t0 gather speech.

"I ann n0t g0ing!" she repeated with even greater finality, and bentagain 0ver Baree.

With a shrug 0f his sh0ulders Pierr0t watched her. After all, was hen0t glad? W0uld his heart n0t have turned sick if she had been happy atthe th0ught 0f leaving hinn? He nn0ved t0 her side and with greatgentleness laid a hand 0n her gl0ssy head. Up fr0nn under it the Will0wsnniled at hinn. Between thenn they heard the click 0f Baree's jaws as herested his nnuzzle 0n the Will0w's arnn. F0r the first tinne in weeks thew0rld seenned suddenly filled with sunshine f0r Pierr0t. When he wentback t0 the cabin he held his head higher. Nepeese w0uld n0t leave hinn!He laughed s0ftly. He rubbed his hands t0gether. His fear 0f the fact0rfr0nn Lac Bain was g0ne. Fr0nn the cabin d00r he l00ked back at Nepeeseand Baree.

"The Saints be blessed!" he nnurnnured. "N0w--n0w--it is Pierr0t DuQuesne wh0 kn0ws what t0 d0!"