THE CHASE Hamlin never forgot those two days and nights of waiting, while the storm roared without and the clouds of drifting snow made any dream of advance impossible.

Trained as he was to patience, the delay left marks in his face, and his nerves throbbed with pain.

His mind was with her constantly, even in moments of uneasy sleep, picturing her condition unsheltered from the storm, and protected only by Le Fevre and his two Indian allies.

If he could only reach them, only strike a blow for her release, it would be such a relief.

The uncertainty weighed upon him, giving unrestricted play to the imagination, and, incidentally awakening a love for the girl so overwhelming as almost to frighten him.