“And even as he was destroying himself, God’s hand was guiding my Margaret to me,” explained the Missioner.  “All those years she had been seeking for me, and at last she learned at Nelson House about Father Roland, whose real name no man knew.  And at almost that same time, at Le Pas, there came to her the photograph you found on the train, with a letter saying our little girl was alive at this place you call the Nest.  Hauck’s wife sent the letter and picture to the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, and it was sent from inspector to inspector, until it found her at Le Pas.  She came to the Chateau.  We were gone—­with you.  She followed, and we met as Metoosin and I were returning.  We did not go back to the Chateau.  We turned about and followed your trail, to seek our daughter.  And now....”

Out of the shadow of the trees there broke upon them suddenly the anxious voice of the woman.

“Napao! where are you?”

“Dear God, it is the old, sweet name she called me so many years ago,” whispered Michael O’Doone.  “She is awake.  Come!”

David held him back a moment.

“I will go to Marge,” he said quickly.  “I will wake her.  And you—­bring her mother.  Understand, dear Father?  Bring her up there, where Marge is sleeping....”

The voice came again: 

“Napao—­Napao!”

“I am coming; I am coming!” cried the Missioner.

He turned to David.

“Yes—­I will bring her—­up there—­to your camp.”

And as David hurried away, he heard the sweet voice saying: 

“You must not leave me alone, Napao—­never, never, never, so long as we live....”

* * * * *

On his knees, beside the Girl, David waited many minutes while he gained his breath.  With his two hands he crumpled her hair; and then, after a little, he kissed her mouth, and then her eyes; and she moved, and he caught the sleepy whisper of his name.

“Wake,” he cried softly.  “Wake, little comrade!”

Her arms rose up out of her dream of him and encircled his neck.

“Sakewawin,” she murmured.  “Is it morning?”

He gathered her in his arms.

“Yes, a glorious day, little comrade.  Wake!”

THE END

* * * * *

BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR

THE COURAGE OF CAPTAIN PLUM
THE HONOR OF THE BIG SNOWS
THE GOLD HUNTERS
THE WOLF HUNTERS
THE DANGER TRAIL
PHILIP STEELE
THE GREAT LAKES
FLOWER OF THE NORTH
ISOBEL
KAZAN
GOD’S COUNTRY—­AND THE WOMAN
THE HUNTED WOMAN
THE GRIZZLY KING
BAREE, SON OF KAZAN

* * * * *

Transcriber’s note:  Punctuation normalized.

Page 254, “spood” changed to “stood” (he stood without moving).

Page 287, “thus” changed to “this” (bullets this early in the game).