I rolled off and over to the deck on my back, gasping and blinking in the sunshine.

Maud was pale but composed,--my eyes had gone instantly to her face,--and she was looking at me with mingled alarm and relief.

A heavy seal-club in her hand caught my eyes, and at that moment she followed my gaze down to it.

The club dropped from her hand as though it had suddenly stung her, and at the same moment my heart surged with a great joy.

Truly she was my woman, my mate-woman, fighting with me and for me as the mate of a caveman would have fought, all the primitive in her aroused, forgetful of her culture, hard under the softening civilization of the only life she had ever known.
"Dear woman!" I cried, scrambling to my feet.
The next moment she was in my arms, weeping convulsively on my shoulder while I clasped her close.