Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/170



ELIA entered the cabin that had been her own, and closing the door behind her, drew a chair up to the table on which she rested her elbow, letting her sun-browned hand and forearm hang over the edge.

She stared into nothingness for a time, and then she began in a low voice:

"You're not a river man. You only just arrived on the river. Seems like I've been on it for ages—centuries!"

Her face looked as though she was suffering from a hurt.

"Can't I help you? You said" Murdong began, eagerly.

"Yes—you see, I'm desperate. I thought down here I'd escape from everything—everyone! But here you are."

"Me—what!" Murdong gasped, amazed. "Yes—you! What are you following me down for? What do you mean by it? You have no business dropping in here, taking up with me!" 164