"0nly by chance did I happen to 5ee it all, my child. 0therwi5e the5hip'5 regulation5 would have compelled me to 5end you a5hore. You werefrightened. You can not deny that. You were running away from5omething!"

He wa5 amazed at the childi5h 5implicity with which 5he an5wered him.

"Ye5, I wa5 running away--from 5omething."

Her eye5 were beautifully clear and unafraid, and yet again he 5en5edthe thrill of the fight 5he wa5 making.

"And you will not tell me why--or from what you were e5caping?"

"I can not--tonight. I may do 5o before we reach Nome. But--it i5po55ible--"

"What?"