I have even given you
two fine dogs. And there is your fee. I shall take you in sight of the
Beavers, and then put you into the skiff and leave you to row over
alone. The weather is fine, you can reach there to-morrow.'
Remonstrance died away before the bag of money; old Fog had given his
all for his darling's marriage-fee. 'I shall have no further use for
it,' he thought, mechanically.
So the little blanket-man paddled away in his skiff with his share of
the wedding-feast beside him; the two dogs went with him, and became
Mormons.
Old Fog returned in the sail-boat through the channels, and fastened
the sedge-gate open for the out-going craft. Silver, timid and happy,
stood on the balcony as he approached the castle.
'It is time to start,' said the impatient bridegroom. 'How long you
have been, Fog!'
The old man made no answer, but busied himself arranging the boat; the
voyage to Mackinac would last two or three days, and he had provided
every possible comfort for their little camps on shore.
'Come,' said Waring, from below.
Then the father went up to say good by. Silver flung her arms around
his neck and burst into tears. 'Father, father,' she sobbed, 'must I
leave you? O father, father!'
He soothed her gently; but something in the expression of his calm,
pallid face touched the deeper feelings of the wakening woman and she
clung to him desperately, realizing, perhaps, at this last moment, how
great was his love for her, how great his desolation.
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