"You had a hard time of it up that rapid," said the artist in French to
the boatmen. "Here is a five-dollar bill to divide when you get down;
and, if you bring us safely back, I shall have another ready for you."

The men were profusely grateful, as indeed they had a right to be, for
the most they expected was a dollar each as a fee.

"Ah," said the elder, "if we had gentlemen like you to take up every
day," and he gave an expressive shrug.

"You shouldn't take such a sordid view of the matter," said the artist.
"I should think you would find great pleasure in taking up parties of
handsome ladies such as I understand now and then visit the falls."

"Ah," said the boatman, "it is very nice, of course; but, except from
Miss Sommerton, we don't get much."

"Really," said the artist; "and who is Miss Sommerton, pray?"

The half-breed nodded up the path.

"Oh, indeed, that is her name. I did not know."

"Yes," said the man, "she is very generous, and she always brings us
tobacco in her pocket--good tobacco."

"Tobacco!" cried the artist. "The arrant hypocrite. She gives you
tobacco, does she? Did you understand what we were talking about coming
up here?"