Once more Fleda's voice called, and before he could answer they were face to face.
She stood radiant and elate, and seemed not apprehensive of disfavour or reproach.

Behind her was Tekewani and his braves.
"You have heard ?" she asked reading her father's face.
"I have heard.

Have you no heart ?" he answered.

"If the Rapids had drowned you!" She came close to him and ran her fingers through his beard tenderly.

"I was not born to be drowned," she said softly.
Now that she was a long distance from Ingolby, the fact that a man had held her in his arms left no shadow on her face.