She had tried to brace herself for the shock, expecting next moment to be thrown into the water, but Thirlwell with a sweep of the paddle ran the canoe past.

So far, he had never failed in an emergency, and she felt that she could not have chosen a better guide and companion.

He was resourceful and overcame difficulties; he seemed to know when she would sooner be quiet and when she liked to talk.

They had talked much beside the camp-fires, and although he was not clever, she remembered what he said.
But she had something else to think about that gave her a sense of loss and a poignant melancholy.

Indeed, she had forced her mind to dwell upon the other matters in order to find relief, and she was glad when Thirlwell broke the silence.
"We ought to make the Shadow by to-morrow noon, and the mine in the evening." "I think we go down the Grand Rapid before we reach the mine ?" Thirlwell made a sign of agreement, and after a moment's hesitation she gave him a quick glance.
"I wonder if you know what day to-morrow is?
I mean the associations it has for me ?" "Yes," he said in a sympathetic voice.