She examined the seal with amazement as I had done, then looked at
Singing Arrow. "The Indian brought this? It must be very important.
Ought I---- Is it right for me to see it, monsieur?"
I laughed. I looked off at the piling thundercaps and the ruffling
water, and the exhilaration of the coming storm whipped through me.
There was a pleasant tang to life.
"Read it, yes," I insisted. "You are Madame de Montlivet. No one can
have a better right. Read it after we land."
It took some moments to make a landing, for the waves were already high
and the shore rough. In spite of ourselves we tore the canoes on
hidden rocks. We unloaded the cargo and had things snug and tidy by
the time the first great drops plumped down upon us. We worked like
ants, and I did not look at the woman. I knew that she was reading the
letter, and I had no wish to spy.
But when I went to her there was no letter in sight. I did not stop to
talk, but I wrapped her in the cloak that Onanguisse had given her, and
wound her still further with blankets. "You will be cool enough in a
few minutes," I assured her, and I made a nest for her in a thicket of
young pines. She obeyed me dumbly, but with a certain gentleness, a
sort of submission.
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