"Are we going to encounter worse things than beasts, and poisonous serpents, and murderous savages--even hunger and thirst, John?
For many years we dared those together--my father and I.Are these great, big, beautiful mountains more treacherous than those Ceylon jungles from which you ran away--even you, John?
Are they more terrible to live in than the Great African Desert?
Are your bears worse than tigers, your wolves more terrible than lions?
And if, through years and years, I faced those things with my father, do you suppose that I want to be left behind now, and by my husband ?" So sweet and wonderful was the sound of that name as it came softly from her lips, that in his joy he forgot the part he was playing, and drew her close down in his arms, and in that moment all that remained of the scheme he had built for keeping her behind crumbled in ruin about him.
Yet in a last effort he persisted.
"Old Donald wants to travel fast--very fast, Joanne.

I owe a great deal to him.

Even you I owe to him--for he saved us from the 'coyote.'" "I am going, John." "If we went alone we would be able to return very soon." "I am going." "And some of the mountains--it is impossible for a woman to climb them!" "Then I will let you carry me up them, John.

You are so strong----" He groaned hopelessly.
"Joanne, won't you stay with the Blacktons, to please me ?" "No.

I don't care to please you." Her fingers were stroking his cheek.
"John ?" "Yes." "Father taught me to shoot, and as we get better acquainted on our honeymoon trip I'll tell you about some of my hunting adventures.