.. Oh!--Oh!--Oh!" Then she fell to moaning in
inarticulate fashion.
Slingerland and King came out and looked down at the girl.
"Wal, the life's strong in her," said the trapper. "I reckon I know
when life is strong in any critter. She'll git over thet. All we can
do now is to watch her an' keep her from doin' herself harm. Take
her in an' lay her down."
For two days and nights Neale watched over her, except for the hours
she slept, when he divided his vigil with King. She had periods of
consciousness, in which she knew Neale, but most of the time she
raved or tossed or moaned or lay like one dead. On the third day,
however. Neale felt encouraged. She awoke weak and somber, but quiet
and rational. Neale talked earnestly to her, in as sensible a way as
he knew how, speaking briefly of the tragic fate that had been hers,
bidding her force it out of her mind by taking interest in her new
surroundings. She listened to him, but did not seem impressed. It
was a difficult matter to get her to eat. She did not want to move.
At length Neale told her that he must go back to the camp of the
engineers, where he had work to do; he promised that he would return
to see her soon and often. She did not speak or raise her eyes when
he left her.
Outside, when Red brought up the horses, Slingerland said to Neale:
"See hyar, son, I reckon you needn't worry.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73