"The Protector" by Harold Bindloss is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Wallace Vane and his friend Carroll as they navigate life in British Columbia, grappling with natural beauty and personal challenges. Through the journey, Vane encounters a young woman named Kitty Blake, who along with her companions, presents a turning point that tests his character and values. The opening of the book finds Vane and Carroll paddling a canoe down a picturesque inlet, discussing their recent success in locating a valuable mineral mine. Their camaraderie and rugged independence are evident, reflecting their hard-earned prosperity from years of toil in the wilderness. As they approach a settlement, Vane's encounter with Kitty, a distressed performer left behind by her troupe, marks the beginning of a transformative chapter in his life. Vane's willingness to assist Kitty and her mother, along with his introspective nature, hints at deeper themes of compassion and responsibility that will unfold in their evolving relationship as the story progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)