Meanwhile he set to work with an air of unconcern he was far from feeling--there were a hundred ways this plan of his might miscarry, and only one way it could succeed! He tied old Cy to his stake again; and carefully gathered up what remained of the herbs Rina had cast on the ground. He unloaded the seized supplies and made a temporary cache under a piece of sail-cloth.
By and by, while he was so engaged, he became aware that Rina was hovering about among the trees. He went on with his task, carefully avoiding any notice of her. She approached by devious stages, like a child drawn against its will. When it became impossible longer to conceal herself, she came into the open with her old, wistful, sullen, inscrutable face. Garth went about his work, displaying no anxiety to treat. He made her speak first.
"What you want say to me?" she asked at last, feigning supreme indifference.
She dropped obediently on the grass; and averted her head. She did not squat like the other red people; but reclined, supporting herself on one hand, much as Natalie might have done.
Garth lit his pipe, considering what simple, figurative form of words would best appeal to her understanding.
"I do not wish Mabyn harm," he began mildly. "He is nothing to me. My heart knows only one wish--to make her well, and to take her back safely to her friends outside. To accomplish that, I will let nothing stop me!"
He paused to let it sink in. Rina gave no sign of having even heard.
"That is your wish, too," he continued. "You want her away from here. She and I are nothing to you. You were happy before we came!"
She darted a startled look at the man who could so well read her feelings.
"Mabyn is mad because she will not have him!" Garth went on. "He is always crazy for what he cannot have."
She turned her head again with the look that said so plainly, "How did you know that?"
"When we get her away, he will soon forget. All will be as it was before!"
"Do I not speak true words?" Garth challenged.
She evaded the question. "If you go out, you send the police after him," she muttered.
He saw Mabyn's hand here. "I will not," he said quickly. "I give you my word on that!"
She looked at him incredulously. She did not understand the pledge.