They are better than mine. So get out the
clothing,--though I shall look like an eel in a bear's skin."
But I had lost my haste. Mock woman that he was, he was yet somewhat
pleasant to the eye. I had noticed more than once the picture that he
made as he came and went among the trees. Yet I thought lightly of
myself for enjoying the deceit of my eyesight. I rose.
"Wear your skirts, then, for a few days longer," I said coldly. "It is
too dark to find what I want. Come now. We must sleep early, and be
up betimes, for we shall take up our journey in the morning."
We were astir at daybreak. It was a red morning, and the birds were
singing. The air was keen, but the fire snapped cheerfully, and the
sky gave promise of a warm day. We carried the bales to the beach, and
were ready for the canoes. Then I missed the Englishman. He had been
aloof and moody during breakfast, and I searched for him with some
alarm.
I found him in the hollow where he slept at night; he would not sleep
near the rest of us, saying that we disturbed him with our snoring. He
was on his back, his gaze on the tree-tops, and he was frowning heavily.
I broke through the bushes. "You are ill!"
He jumped to his feet.
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