The Willow's back was toward the door when the factor from Lac Bainentered the cabin, and for a few startled seconds she did not turn. Herfirst thought was of Pierrot--for some reason he had returned. But evenas this thought came to her, she heard in Baree's throat a snarl thatbrought her suddenly to her feet, facing the door.
McTaggart had not entered unprepared. He had left his pack, his gun,and his heavy coat outside. He was standing with his back against thedoor; and at Nepeese--in her wonderful dress and flowing hair--he wasstaring as if stunned for a space at what he saw. Fate, or accident,was playing against the Willow now. If there had been a spark ofslumbering chivalry, of mercy, even, in Bush McTaggart's soul, it wasextinguished by what he saw. Never had Nepeese looked more beautiful,not even on that day when MacDonald the map maker had taken herpicture. The sun, flooding through the window, lighted up her marveloushair. Her flushed face was framed in its lustrous darkness like atinted cameo. He had dreamed, but he had pictured nothing like thiswoman who stood before him now, her eyes widening with fear and theflush leaving her face even as he looked at her.
It was not a long interval in which their eyes met in that terriblesilence. Words were unnecessary. At last she understood--understoodwhat her peril had been that day at the edge of the chasm and in theforest, when fearlessly she had played with the menace that wasconfronting her now.
A breath that was like a sob broke from her lips.
"M'sieu!" she tried to say. But it was only a gasp--an effort.
Plainly she heard the click of the iron bolt as it locked the door.McTaggart advanced a step.
Only a single step McTaggart advanced. On the floor Baree had remainedlike something carved out of stone. He had not moved. He had not made asound but that one warning snarl--until McTaggart took the step. Andthen, like a flash, he was up and in front of Nepeese, every hair ofhis body on end; and at the fury in his growl McTaggart lunged backagainst the barred door. A word from Nepeese in that moment, and itwould have been over. But an instant was lost--an instant before hercry came. In that moment man's hand and brain worked swifter than bruteunderstanding; and as Baree launched himself at the factor's throat,there came a flash and a deafening explosion almost in the Willow'seyes.
It was a chance shot, a shot from the hip with McTaggart's automatic.Baree fell short. He struck the floor with a thud and rolled againstthe log wall. There was not a kick or a quiver left in his body.McTaggart laughed nervously as he shoved his pistol back in itsholster. He knew that only a brain shot could have done that.
With her back against the farther wall, Nepeese was waiting. McTaggartcould hear her panting breath. He advanced halfway to her.
"Nepeese, I have come to make you my wife," he said.
She did not answer. He could see that her breath was choking her. Sheraised a hand to her throat. He took two more steps, and stopped. Hehad never seen such eyes.
"I have come to make you my wife, Nepeese. Tomorrow you will go on toNelson House with me, and then back to Lac Bain--forever." He added thelast word as an afterthought. "Forever," he repeated.
He did not mince words. His courage and his determination rose as hesaw her body droop a little against the wall. She was powerless. Therewas no escape. Pierrot was gone. Baree was dead.
He had thought that no living creature could move as swiftly as theWillow when his arms reached out for her. She made no sound as shedarted under one of his outstretched arms. He made a lunge, a savagegrab, and his fingers caught a bit of hair. He heard the snap of it asshe tore herself free and flew to the door. She had thrown back thebolt when he caught her and his arms closed about her. He dragged herback, and now she cried out--cried out in her despair for Pierrot, forBaree, for some miracle of God that might save her.
And Nepeese fought. She twisted in his arms until she was facing him.She could no longer see. She was smothered in her own hair. It coveredher face and breast and body, suffocating her, entangling her hands andarms--and still she fought. In the struggle McTaggart stumbled over thebody of Baree, and they went down. Nepeese was up fully five secondsahead of the man. She could have reached the door. But again it was herhair. She paused to fling back the thick masses of it so that she couldsee, and McTaggart was at the door ahead of her.
He did not lock it again, but stood facing her. His face was scratchedand bleeding. He was no longer a man but a devil. Nepeese was broken,panting--a low sobbing came with every breath. She bent down, andpicked up a piece of firewood. McTaggart could see that her strengthwas almost gone.
She clutched the stick as he approached her again. But McTaggart hadlost all thought of fear or caution. He sprang upon her like an animal.The stick of firewood fell. And again fate played against the girl. Inher terror and hopelessness she had caught up the first stick her handhad touched--a light one. With her last strength she hurled it atMcTaggart, and as it struck his head, he staggered back. But it did notmake him loose his hold.
Vainly she was fighting now, not to strike him or to escape, but to gether breath. She tried to cry out again, but this time no sound camefrom between her gasping lips.
Again he laughed, and as he laughed, he heard the door open. Was it thewind? He turned, still holding her in his arms.