You'll be there before you know it." "You are very kind," said the girl.

"I can't thank you enough." She was clothed in her simple everyday dress, and looked again the sun-colored half-breed girl with the wide, dark eyes and the twin braids of crow-black hair.
"You didn't run into anybody, eh ?" She shook her head.

Then he led her out into the darkness, and they stumbled down to the river's-bank, descending to the gravelly water's edge, where rows of clumsy hand-sawed boats and poling-skiffs were chafing at their painters.

The up-river steamer was just clearing.
Stark's low whistle was answered a hundred yards below, and they searched out a darker blot that proved to be a man's figure.
"Is everything ready ?" he inquired, at which the shadow grunted unintelligibly.

So, holding Necia by the arm, Stark helped her back to a seat in the stern.
"This man will take you through," he said.