be that she prayed to the mother of the God he prayed to� . We spoke of it together, the Great Serpent, young Uncas, and I. And Uncas told us this. But the Serpent and I could make nothing of it.

“And while Guy Johnson was at Edward, only he and I and your mother ever saw or touched you� . And ever you were tracing with your baby fingers the great Ghost Bear rearing on my breast — — ”

“Ah!” I exclaimed sharply. “That is what I have struggled to remember!”

He drew a deep, unsteady breath:

“Do you better understand our blood-brotherhood now, Loskiel?”

“I understand — profoundly.”