batt-men will carry it down the river.”

I was silent.

“Rumour runs the woods like lightning,” he said. “She will surely hear of this disgraceful scene. She will hear of it at Easton� . Strange,” he muttered, “strange how the old truths hold!� Our sins shall find us out� . I never before believed that, Loskiel — not in a wilderness, anyway� . I had rather be here dead and scalped than have had that happen and know that she must hear of it one day.”

He lay motionless for a while, then turned heavily on his side, facing me across the heap of dead leaves.

“Somehow or other,” he said, “she heard of that miserable business — heard of it even at Otsego�