CHAPTERI
　　ONLYAMISSIONARY
　　Highuponarock，poisedlikeabirdforflight，starknaked，hissatinskinshininglikegoldandsilverintherisingsun，stoodayouth，tall，slimofbody，notfullydevelopedbutwithmusclespromising，intheirfaultless，gentlyswellingoutline，strengthandsupplenesstoanunusualdegree。Gazingdownintothepoolformedbyaneddyoftherivertwentyfeetbelowhim，hestoodasifcalculatingthedistance，hisprofileturnedtowardthemanwhohadjustemergedfromthebushesandwasstandingonthesandystrandoftheriver，paddleinhand，lookingupathimwithanexpressionofwonderanddelightinhiseyes。
　　"Yegods，whatapicture！"saidthemantohimself。
　　Noiselessly，asiffearingtosendtheyouthoffinflight，helaidhispaddleonthesand，hurriedlyfeltinhispockets，andsworetohimselfvigorouslywhenhecouldfindnosketchbookthere。
　　"Whatapose！WhatanApollo！"hemuttered。
　　Thesunlightglisteningonthebeautifulwhiteskinlaylikepoolsofgoldinthecurvinghollowsoftheperfectlymodelledbody，andranlikesilverovertheroundedswellingsofthelimbs。Instinctwithlifeheseemed，somethinginhisposesuggestingthathehadeitheralightedfromthegolden，ambientair，orwasabouttocommithimselftoit。Themanonthesandcontinuedtogazeasifhewerebeholdingacreatureofanotherworld。
　　"Oh，Lord！Whatlines！"hebreathed。
　　Slowlytheyouthbegantomovehisarmsuptothehorizontal，thentotheperpendicular，reachingtotheutmostofhisheightuponhistoetips，breathingdeepthewhile。Smoothly，slowly，themusclesinlegsandthighs，inback，inabdomen，inchest，respondingtotheexercisemovedunderthelustrousskinasifthemselveswerelivingthings。Overandoveragaintheactionwasrepeated，themusclesandbodymovinginrhythmicharmonylikesomeperfectmechanismrunninginabathofoil。
　　"YegodsofGreece！"breathedtheman。"WhatisthisthingIsee？
　　Fleshorspirit？Manorgod？"Againhesworeathimselfforneglectingtobringhissketchbookandpencil。
　　"Hello，father！Whereareyou？"Agirl’svoicerangout，high，clear，andnearathand。
　　"GoodLord！"saidthemantohimself，glancingupatthepoisedfigure。"Imuststopher。"
　　Onestartledglancetheyouthflungdownuponhim，anotherinthedirectionofthevoice，then，likeawhite，gleamingarrowheshotdown，anddisappearedinthedarkpoolbelow。
　　Withhiseyesuponthewaterthemanawaitedhisreappearing。A
　　halfminute，afullminutehewaited，butinvain。Swiftlyherantowardtheedgeofthepool。Therewasnosignanywhereoftheyouth。
　　Ghastlypaleandpanting，themanran，asfarroundthebaseoftherockasthewaterwouldallowhim，seekingeverywheresignsoftheswimmer。
　　"Hello，father！Oh，thereyouare！"Breakingthroughthebushes，agirlrantohim。
　　"Whatisit，pater？Youareill。Whatisthematter？"
　　"Goodheavens！hewasthere！"gaspedtheman，pointingtothehighrock。"Heplungedinthere。"Hepointedtothepool。"Hehasn’tcomeup。Heisdrowned。"
　　"Who？Whatareyousaying？Wakeup，father。Whowasthere？"
　　"Aboy！Ayoungman！Hedisappeareddownthere。"
　　"Ayoungman？Washe——washe——dressed？"inquiredthegirl。
　　"Dressed？No。No。"
　　"Didhe——didhe——hearme——calling？"
　　"Ofcoursehedid。That’swhatstartledhim，Iimagine。Poorboy！
　　Ifearheisgone。"
　　"Didhefallin，ordidhedive？"
　　"Heseemedtodive，buthehasnotcomeup。Ifearheisgone。"
　　"Oh，nonsense，father，"saidthegirl。"Ibetyouhehasswumroundthebend。Justgoovertherockandsee。"
　　"Godgrantit！"saidherfather。
　　Hedroppedhispaddle，ranupovertherockanddownintothelittledellontheothersidethatrandowntothewater’sedge。
　　Therehesawatent，withalltheaccompanimentsofawellorderedcamp，andamancookingbreakfastonasmallfire。
　　"Well，I’llbecombusticated！"hesaidtohimself，weaklyholdingtoalittlepoplartree。
　　"Isay！"hecried，"whereishe？Hashecomein？Isheallright？"
　　"Who？"saidthemanatthefire。
　　"Theboyontherock。"
　　Themangazedathimastonished，thenasifsuddenlygraspinghismeaning，replied，"Yes，hecamein。He’sdressinginthetent。"
　　"Well，I’llbecondumbusticated！"saidtheman。"Say！whatthedevildoeshemeanbyscaringpeopleoutoftheirsensesinthatway！"
　　Themanatthefirestoodgazingathiminanutterlybewilderedway。
　　"Ifyouwilltellmeexactlywhatyouareafter，Imaybeabletohelpyou。"
　　Theotherdrewslowlynearthefire。Hewasstillpale，andbreathingquickly。
　　"Hello，dad，isbreakfastready？"cameacheeryvoicefromthetent。
　　"ThankGod，heisaliveapparently，"saidtheman，sinkingdownonalogbesidethefire。"Youmustpardonme，sir，"hesaid。"Yousee，Isawhimtakeaheaderintothepoolfromthathighrockoveryonder，andhenevercameupagain。Ithoughthewasdrowned。"
　　Themanatthefiresmiled。
　　"Theyoungvillaingaveyouafright，didhe？Oneofhisusualtricks。Well，ashisfather，andmoreorlessresponsibleforhim，Iofferthemosthumbleapology。Haveyouhadbreakfast？"
　　"Yes。Butwhydidhedosuchathing？"
　　"Askhim。Herehecomes。"
　　Outfromthetentcametheyouthinshorts，thewarmglowofhisbodyshowingthroughthefilmymaterial。
　　"Hello！"hecried，backingtowardthetentdoor。"Youarethemanwiththepaddle。Istherebyanychancealadywithyou，ordidI
　　hearalady’svoiceoverthere？IassureyouIgotadeuceofafright。"
　　"Yougavemethesupremefrightofmylife，youngman，Icantellyouthat。"
　　"ButIsurelyheardalady’svoice，"saidtheyouth。
　　"Youdid。Itwasmydaughter’svoice，anditwasshewhosuggestedthatyouhadswumaroundthebend。Andshesentmeoverheretoinvestigate。"
　　"Oh，yourdaughter。Excuseme，"saidtheyouth。"Ishallbeoutinafewminutes。"Heslidintothetent，anddidnotreappear。
　　Themanremainedchattingwiththeyouth’sfatherforafewminutes，thenrisingsaid，"Well，Ifeelbetter。Iconfessthisthinggavemesomethingofashock。Butcomeroundandseeusbeforewego。Weshallbeleavinginanhour。"
　　Themanatthefirepromisedtomakethevisit，andtheothertookhisdeparture。
　　Afewminuteslatertheyouthreappeared。
　　"Isbreakfastready？"hecried。"My，butI’mhungry！Butwhoishe，dad？"
　　"Sitdown，"saidhisfather，"andgetyourbreakfastwhileitishot。"
　　"Butwhoishe，dad？"persistedtheyouth。
　　"Whoishe？"saidhisfather，dishingupthebacon。"Anoilexplorer，anartist，acapitalist，anAmericanfromPittsburgh，thefatherofonechild，agirl。Hermotherisdead。Nineteenyearsold，athletic，moderntype，collegebred，’bossoftheshow’
　　（quotation）。Theseareafewofthefactsvolunteeredwithinthelimitedspaceofhisvisit。"
　　"What’shelike，dad？"
　　"Like？LikeanAmerican。"
　　"Now，dad，don’tallowyouroldBritishprejudicestorunawaywithyourjudgment。"
　　"Onthecontrary，Iamperfectlycharmed。HeisoneofthoseAmericanswhocaptureyouatonce，educated，frank，open，withthatpeculiarcharmthatBritisherswillnotbeabletodevelopformanygenerations。AnAmerican，butnotoftheunspeakabletype。Notatall。Youwilllikehim。"
　　"IamsureIshall，"repliedtheyouth。"Ilikedhisvoiceandhisface。IliketheAmericans。Imetsuchnicechapsatcollege。Soclever，andwithsuchavocabulary。"
　　"Vocabulary？Well，I’mnottoosureastothevocabularypartofit。"
　　"Yes，suchbright，pat，expressiveslang，sofreshandinsuchvariety。SodifferentfromyourheavyBritishslang，inwhicheverythingapproachingthesuperlativemustbeoneofthreethings，’ripping，’withverydistinctarticulationonthedoublep，or’tophole，’or’awfullyjolly。’Morerecently，Ibelieve，afourthvariationisallowedin’priceless。’
　　"Ah，myboy，youhaveunconsciouslyutteredamostsearchingcriticismonyourAmericanfriends。Don’tyouknowthatavocabularyrichinslangispovertystrickeninforcefulandwellchosenEnglish？Thewealthoftheoneisthepovertyoftheother。"
　　"Whereishegoing？"enquiredtheboy。
　　"OutbywayofEdmonton，Calgary，MooseJaw，Minneapolis，soontoPittsburgh。Partnerwithhim，younglawyer，expertinmines，unmarried。Heiscomingbackinacoupleofmonthsorsoforabighunt。Wantsustojoinhim。Reallyextraordinary，whenyoucometothinkofit，howmuchinformationhewasabletoconveyinsuchashortspaceoftime。Marvellousgiftofexpression！"
　　"Whatdidyousay，dad？"
　　"Say？Oh，astohisinvitation！Why，IbelieveIaccepted，myboy。ItseemedasifIcoulddonothingelse。It’sawayhehas。"
　　"Is——isthedaughtertobealong？"
　　"Letmesee。Whatdidhesay？Really，Idon’tknow。ButIshouldjudgethatitwouldbeentirelyasshewished。Sheis——"
　　"Bossoftheshow，eh？"
　　"Exactly。Mostvividphrase，eh？"
　　"Very。Andnodoubtaptlydescriptiveofthefact。"
　　Inhalfanhourthebreakfastwasfinished，andtheeldermangothispipea—going。
　　"Now，dad，youhadbettergoalongandmakeyourcall，whileIgetthingstogetherhere。"
　　"What！Younotgoing！No，no，thatwon’tdo，myboy。Itwasaboutyoutheywereconcerned。Youweretheoccasionoftheacquaintanceship。Besides，meetinginthewildernessthiswaywecan’tdothatsortofthing，youknow。"
　　"Well，dad，frankly，Iamquiteterrifiedoftheyounglady。
　　Supposesheshouldstartbossingus。Weshouldbothbequitehelpless。"
　　"Oh，nonsense，boy！Comealong。Getyourhat。"
　　"Allright，I’llcome。Onyourheadbetheconsequences，dad。No。
　　Idon’tneedahat。FortunatelyIputonacleanshirt。WillI
　　do，dad？YouknowI’m’scairtstiff，’asHarryHobbswouldsay。"
　　Hisfatherlookedhimover，buttherewasnothingcriticalinhisglance。Prideandlovefilledhiseyesastheyranoverhisson’sfaceandfigure。Andsmallwonder！Theyouthwasgoodtolookupon。Ashadeundersixfeethestood，straightandslim，strengthandsupplegraceineverymoveofhisbody。Hisfacewasbeautifulwiththebeautyoffeatures，cleancutandstrong，butmorewiththebeautyofaclear，candidsoul。Heseemedtoradiateanatmosphereofcheerygoodnatureandunspoiledsimplicity。Hewastwoyearspasthismajority，yethecarriedtheairofayouthofeighteen，inwhichshynessandfearlessnesslookedoutfromhisdeepblueeyes。Itwaswellthatheworenohattohidethemassofrichbrownhairthatwavedbackfromhisforehead。
　　"You’lldo，boy，"saidhisfather，inavoicewhoserigidevennessoftonerevealedtheemotionitsoughttoconceal。"You’lltakealltheshinefromme，youyoungbeggar，"headdedinatoneofgruffbanter，"buttherewasatime——"
　　"WASatime，dad？IS，anddon’ttellmeyoudon’tknowit。I
　　alwaysfeellikeaschoolkidinanycompanywhenyou’reabout。
　　’WhenthesuncomesoutAllthelittlestarsrunin，’"
　　hesangfromalatemusichalleffusion。"Why，justcomehereandlookatyourself，"andtheboy’seyesdweltwithaffectionateprideuponhisfather。
　　Itwaseasytoseewheretheboygothisperfectform。Notsotallashisson，hewasmorefirmlyknit，andwithakindofdaintyneatnessinhisappearancewhichsuggestedthebeauinearlierdays。Buttherewasnothingofweaknessabouttheerect，trimfigure。Asecondglancediscoveredadepthofchest，athicknessofshoulderandofthigh，andageneraldevelopmentofmusclesuchasaringchampionmightshow；and，indeed，itwashisachievementsintheringratherthanintheclassliststhatwonforDickDunbarinhiscollegedayshishighestfame。Andthoughhisfiftyyearshadslowedsomewhatthespeedoffootandhand，theeyewasassureasever，andbutlittleofthenaturalforcewasabatedwhichoncehadmadehimthegloryoftheCambridgesportingyouth，andwhichevenyetcouldtesthisson’smettleinafastbout。
　　Onthesandyshoreoftheriverbelowtheeddy，theyfoundtheAmericanandhispartygathered，withtheirstuffrangedaboutthemreadyforthecanoes。
　　"Ah，hereyouare，sir，"saidtheAmerican，advancinghatinhand。
　　"Andthisisyourson，theyoungrascalwhocamemightyneargivingmeheartfailurethismorning。Bytheway，Ihaven’tthepleasureofknowingyourname。"
　　"MynameisRichardDunbar，andthisismysonBarry。"
　　"MynameisOsborneHowland，ofPittsburgh，andthisismydaughterPaula。Inbloomers，asyousee，butneverthelessmydaughter。
　　Meetalsomyfriendandpartner，Mr。CornwallBrand。"
　　Thepartyexchangedgreetings，andspentsomemomentsgivingutterancetothoseplatitudeswhicharesousefulinsuchcircumstances，asortofmentalmarkingtimepreparatorytofurthermutualacquaintance。
　　Thegirlpossessedthatstriking，dashingkindofbrunettebeautythatgoeswithgoodhealth，goodliving，andabundanceofoutdoorexercise。Shecarriedherselfwiththatairofassuredself—
　　confidencethatcomesastheresultofasomewhatwideexperienceofmen，womenandthings。Shequiteevidentlyscornedtheconventions，ashergarb，beingquitemasculine，herspeechbeingoutspokenanddecoratedwiththenewestandmostingeniousslang，herwholemannerbeingfranklyimpulsive，loudlyproclaimed。
　　ButBarrylikedheratonce，andmadenopretenceofconcealinghisliking。Toherfather，also，hewasimmediatelydrawn。AstoCornwallBrand，betweenwhomandthegirlthereseemedtoexistasortofunderstanding，hewasnotsosure。
　　Forhalfanhourorsotheystoodbytheriverexchangingtheirexperiencesinthesenorthernwilds，andtheirviewsuponlifeinthewildernessanduponthingsingeneral。Byalittleskilfulmanagingthegirlgottheyoungmanawayfromtheothers，andthenproceededtodissectandclassifyhim。
　　Throughtheopenwoodsalongtheriverbanktheywandered，pausinghereandtheretoadmiretheview，untiltheycametoanoverhangingbankattheentrancetoasomewhatdeepgorge，throughwhichtheriverfoamedtotheboilingrapidsbelow。Itwasindeedabeautifulscene。Thebanksoftheriverwerecoveredwitheveryvarietyofshrubandtree，exceptwheretheblackrocksbrokethrough；betweenthebanksthedarkriverragedandfretteditselfintoafoamagainstitsrockybarriers；overthemarchedthesky，aperfectblue。
　　"Whatalovelyview！"exclaimedthegirl，seatingherselfupontheedgeofthebank。"Now，"shesaid，"tellmeaboutyourself。Yougavemypaterafearfulfrightthismorning。HewasquiteparalysedwhenIcameonhim。"
　　"Iamverysorry，"saidtheyouth，"butIhadnointention——"
　　"Iknow。Itoldhimnottoworry，"repliedthegirl。"Iknewyouwouldbeallright。"
　　"Andhow，pray？"saidtheyoungman，blushingatthememoryofhisstartlingappearanceuponthatrock。
　　"Iknewthatanyfellowwhocouldtakethatdivewouldn’tlikelylethimselfdrown。Iguessed，too，thatifyouheardmehoot——"
　　"Idid，"saidtheyouth。
　　"Yousurewouldgetslippyrightaway。"
　　"Idid。"
　　"Iguessyouwereprettywellstartledyourself，weren’tyou？"saidthegirl，pursuingthesubjectwithcoolpersistence。
　　"Rather，"saidtheyoungman，blushingmoreviolently，andwishingshewouldchangethesubject。"Youaregoingout？"heenquired。
　　"Yes。"
　　"To—day？"
　　"Now——rightaway。"
　　"Toobad，"hesaid，hisdisappointmentevidentinhistone。
　　"Whenareyougoingout？Butwhoareyou，anyway？"askedthegirl。
　　"Youhavetotellmethat。"
　　"Mylifestory，sotospeak？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"It’sveryshortandsimple，liketheannalsofthepoor，"hereplied。"FromEnglandininfancy，onaranchinnorthernAlbertafortenyears，apunylittlewretchIwas，terriblybotheredwithasthma，then"——theboyhesitatedamoment——"mymotherdied，fathermovedtoEdmonton，livedthereforfiveyears，thencetoWapiti，awaynorthwestofEdmonton，ourpresenthome，preparedforcollegebymyfather，universitycourseinWinnipeg，graduatedintheologyayearago，nowthemissionaryinchargeofWapitiandthesurroundingdistrict。"
　　"Apreacher！"saidthegirl，herfaceandhertoneshowingherdisappointmentonlytooplainly。
　　"Notmuchofapreacher，Ifear，"saidtheyoungmanwithasmile。
　　"Amissionary，rather。That’smystory。"
　　Shenoticedwithsomechagrinthathedidnotaskforhers。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"sheenquired。
　　Hehesitatedamomentortwo。
　　"DadandIalwaystakeatripintothewildseverysummer。"Thenheaddedafterafewmoments’pause，"Butofcoursewehaveotherbusinessonhanduphere。"
　　"Business？Uphere？"
　　"Yes。Dadhassome。"Hemadeasiftocontinue，butchangedhismindandfellintosilence，leavingherpiquedbyhisreserveandbyhisapparentindifferencetothethingsconcerningherself。Shedidnotknowthathewaseagerlyhopingthatshewouldsupplythisinformation。
　　Atlengthheventured，"Mustyougoawayto—day？"
　　"Idon’tsupposethere’sany’must’aboutit。"
　　"Whynotstay？"
　　"WhyshouldI？"
　　"Oh，itwouldbejolly，"hecried。"Yousee，wecould——exploreabouthere——and，"——heendedratherlamely，——"it’salovelycountry。"
　　"We’veseenalotofit。ItISlovely，"shesaid，hereyesuponhisfaceasifappraisinghim。"Ishouldliketoknowyoubetter，"
　　sheadded，withsuddenandcharacteristicfrankness，"soIthinkwewillstay。Butyouwillhavetobeawfullygoodtome。"
　　"Why，ofcourse，"hecried。"That’ssplendid！Perfectlyjolly！"
　　"Thenwehadbetterfindfatherandtellhim。Comealong，"sheordered，andledthewaybacktothecamp。
　　Theyoungmanfollowedher，wonderingather，andgivingslightheedtothechattersheflungoverhershoulderathimasshestrodealongthroughthebushes。
　　"What’sthematterwithyou？"shecried，facingrounduponhim。
　　"Youwerethinkingaboutme，Iknow。Confess，now。"
　　"Iwas，"heacknowledged，smilingather。
　　"Whatwereyouthinking？Tellme，"sheinsisted。
　　"Iwasthinking——"Hepaused。
　　"Goon！"shecried。
　　"Iwasthinkingofwhatyourfathersaidaboutyou。"
　　"Myfather？Aboutme？Whatdidhesay？Toyou？"
　　"No。Todad。"
　　"Whatwasit？Tellme。Imustknow。"Shewasveryimperiousinhermanner。Theyouthonlysmiledather。
　　"Goon！"shesaidimpatiently。
　　"Ithinkpossiblyyourfatherwasright，"hereplied，"whenhesaidyou’bosstheshow。’"
　　"Oh，that’swhathesaid，eh？Well，Iguesshe’saboutright。"
　　"Butyoudon’treally？"
　　"Don’twhat？’Bosstheshow’？Well，Ibossmyownshow，atanyrate。Don’tyou？"
　　"Don’tIwhat，exactly？Bosstheshow？Well，Idon’tthinkwehaveany’show，’andIdon’tbelievewehaveany’boss。’DadandI
　　justtalkthingsover，yousee。"
　　"But，"sheinsisted，"someoneinthelastanalysismustdecide。
　　Yourmenage，nomatterhowsimple，musthaveahead。Itisalawoftheuniverseitself，anditisthelawofmankind。Yousee，I
　　havedonesomepoliticaleconomy。"
　　"Andyet，"saidtheyoungman，"yousayyourunyourownshow？"
　　"Exactly。Everysocialorganismmusthaveahead，buteveryindividualintheorganismmustliveitsownfreelife。Thatistruedemocracy。Butofcourseyoudon’tunderstanddemocracy，youCanadians。"
　　"Aha！Thereyouare！YouAmericansarethemostinsularofallthegreatpeoplesoftheworld。Youknownothingofotherpeople。
　　Youknowonlyyourownhistoryandnoteventhatcorrectly，yourowngeography，andyourownpoliticalscience。YouknownothingofCanada。Youdon’tknow，forinstance，thatthepurestformofdemocracyonthisAmericancontinentliesoutsidetheboundsoftheU。S。A。"
　　"InCanada？"sheaskedscornfully。"Bytheway，howmanyCanadiansarethere？"
　　"Yes，Iknow。Weareasmallpeople，"hesaidquietly，"butnomorerealdemocracyexistsanywhereintheworldthaninthiscountryofmine。Weareasmallpeople，but，"hesaid，withasweepofhishandtowardthewestandthenorth，"thefutureiswithus。Thedayiscomingwhenalongthiswaterwaygreatcitiesshallbe，withfactoriesandhummingindustries。Theseplains，theseflowinghillswillbethehomeofmillionsofmen，andinmylifetime，too。"
　　Hiseyesbegantoglow，hisfacetoshinewitharareandfascinatingbeauty。
　　"Doyouknowthestatisticsofyourcountry？DoyouknowthatduringthelasttwentyyearstherateofCanada’sgrowthwasthreetimesgreaterthaneverinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates？Youareagreatcommercialnation，butdoyouknowthatthepercapitarateofCanada’stradeto—dayismanytimesthatoftheUnitedStates？Youareagreatagriculturalpeople，butdoyouknowthatthree—quartersofthewheatlandonthiscontinentisCanadian，andthatbeforemanyyearsyouwillbecomingtoCanadaforyourwheat，yes，andforyourflour？Doyouseethatriver？DoyouknowthatCanadaistherichestcountryintheworldinwaterpower？Andmorethanthat，inthethingsessentialtonationalgreatness，——notthesethingsthatyoucansee，thesematerialthings，"hesaid，sweepinghishandcontemptuouslytowardthehorizon，"butinsuchthingsaseducationalstandards，inadministrationofjustice，inthecustomsofalibertylovingpeople，inreligiousprivileges，ineverythingthatgoestomakecharacterandmorale，Canadahasalreadylaidthefoundationsofagreatnation。"
　　Hestoppedshort，abashed，theglowfadingfromhisface，thelightfromhiseyes。
　　"Forgiveme，"hesaid，withalittlelaugh。"Iamafirstclassass。IfearIwasblowinglikeafoghorn。ButwhenyoutouchCanadayoureleasesomethinginme。"
　　Whilehewasspeakinghereyesneverlefthisface。"Goon！"shesaid，inavoiceofsuppressedemotion，"goon。Ilovetohearyou。"
　　Herwontedpoisewasgone；shewasobviouslystirredwithdeepemotion。
　　"Goon！"shecommanded，layingherhanduponhisarm。"Don’tstop。
　　Tellmemoreabout——aboutCanada，aboutanything，"sheaddedimpatiently。
　　Awarm，eagerlightfilledhereyes。Shewasbitingherlipstostilltheirtremor。