"Ain't you the sore-head, now?" Laughing Bill murmured. "You got a hundred-per-cent. grouch, but if the old medicine-man says he'll put you in right, you bet your string of beads he'll do it. He's got a gift for helpin' down-and-outers. You got class, Kid; you certainly rhinestone this whole bunch of red men. Why, you belong in French heels and a boodwar cap; that's how I dope you." "There must be a chance for a girl like you in Nome," Thomas continued, thoughtfully. "You'd make a good hand with children. Suppose I try to find you a place as governess?" "_Would_ you?" Ponatah's face was suddenly eager. "Children? Oh yes! I'd work my fingers to the bone. I--I'd do _anything_--" "Then I'll do what I can." For some time longer the three of them talked, and gradually into the native girl's eyes there came a light, for these men were not like the others she had met, and she saw the world begin to unfold before her. When at last they left she laid a hand upon the doctor's arm and said, imploringly: "You won't forget. You--promise?" "I promise," he told her. "He don't forget nothing," Bill assured her, "and if he does I'll see that he don't." After they had gone Ponatah stood motionless for a long time, then she whispered, breathlessly: "Children! Little white children! I'll be very good to them." "She's a classy quilt," Laughing Bill said, on the way back to the road-house. "She's as pretty as a picture, and little more than a child," the doctor admitted. "You made a hit. She'd do 'most anything for you." The doctor muttered, absent-mindedly. "She's stood off Petersen and these red-necks, but she'd fall for you." Mr. Hyde was insinuating. Thomas halted; he stared at his partner curiously, coldly. "Say! Do you think that's why I offered to help her?" he inquired. "Come clean!" The invalid winked meaningly. "You're a long ways from home, and I've knew fellers to do a lot worse. You can grab her, easy. And if you do--" Thomas grunted angrily. "I've put up with a lot from you," he said, then he strode on. "And if you do," the other resumed, falling into step with him, "I'll bust you right where you're thickest." "Eh?" "I'll bust you wide open. Oh, me 'n' that gal in the leather frame had a long talk while I was sick in St. Mikes, and she asked me to keep you in the middle of the trail. Well, I'm the little guy that can do it." "Bill!" Evan Thomas's eyes were twinkling. "I believe I'm going to cure you, after all," said he. Late that afternoon Mr. Hyde disappeared; he did not show up until after dark. "I been to see Lo, the poor squaw," he readily confessed. "She ain't the pure domestic leaf, she's a blend--part Rooshian, or something. Seems there was a gang of Rooshians or Swedes or Dagoes of some sort used to run this country. She says they horned into some of the best Injun families, and she's one of the 'overs.'" "They were Russians."