To CARIBOO AND BACK }-

at stake, and for the raft to lose another day
would bring them that much nearer to starva-
tion and that much nearer to the snow and ice
they all dreaded. Yet he promised to send a
canoe back at sundown if by then Jim had not

overtaken them. It was the most he would
agree to.

“There’s nothing else to do, Mother,” Jim
gently took the little woman by the arm to lead
her to the raft. “I found her when she was
lost once before, and I’ll bring her back safe
this time.”

Suddenly Arthur spoke up. His face was
white and set and his eyes had a determined
look not often seen in them.

“T’m the one to stay,” he said. “I can handle
the dugout as well as Jim can. Go with your
mother, Jim. Let me stay!”

“Not much, I won’t. You’re as good as I
am with the paddle, perhaps better, Pll admit.
But in the woods I’m a better man than you

“That means you don’t trust me to find her.
You think I’m a coward and would turn back!”
Arthur flashed in anger. “If it comes to that I

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