"Ye didn't give me a chance," said Flip, raising her eyes for the first
time. With an impatient imprecation, Fairley darted by her and rushed
into the wood. In an instant she had shut the door and bolted it. In
the same instant the squaw arose, dashed the long hair not only from her
eyes, but from her head, tore away her shawl and blanket, and revealed
the square shoulders of Lance Harriott! Flip remained leaning against
the door; but the young man in rising dropped the bandaged papoose,
which rolled from his lap into the fire. Flip, with a cry, sprang toward
it; but Lance caught her by the waist with one arm, as with the other he
dragged the bundle from the flames.

"Don't be alarmed," he said, gayly, "it's only--"

"What?" said Flip, trying to disengage herself.

"My coat and trousers."

Flip laughed, which encouraged Lance to another attempt to kiss her. She
evaded it by diving her head into his waistcoat, and saying, "There's
father."

"But he's gone to clear away that tree?" suggested Lance.

One of Flip's significant silences followed.

"Oh, I see," he laughed. "That was a plan to get him away! Ah!" She had
released herself.

"Why did you come like that?" she said, pointing to his wig and blanket.