DEAD) PO's) 1, 83

point below the Post where the two streams con-
verged. The mighty river that they made curved
out of sight to the eastward; from its banks the
forest sloped back endlessly to north and south.

All the nearer stretches of scrub and forest were
mottled with shadow and sun; aspens rustled along
the banks, with sunlight in their trembling leaves;
willows dipped their long green branches in the
water; the evergreens on the wedge of land stood
in sharp, still outline against the grey flowing of the
river. But the farther sweeps toned down to a
darker, heavier green, and the last visible curve of
the land was like a purple shadow at the horizon.
Clouds in shreds and streaks and wisps blew swiftly
across the unbroken arch of the sky.

* * *

The mosquitoes were very puzzled. They came
in through the doorway to escape from the cool
evening breeze, but hardly had their wings struck
the motionless air inside the shack when another
kind of unpleasantness assailed them. It floated in
mid-air, drifting upward. It was very hard on the
- breathing. The only available flying-space was be-
low the smoke-level, near the planks of the floor.

The post manager reached for some more insect-