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His eyes were blazing, his whole attitude was one of tense emotion. "There's the cabin," he cried, "the cabin built by John Ball and the two Frenchmen! See, over there among those cedars, almost hidden in that black shadow of the mountain! Great Scott, Muky Rod can't you see? Can't you see?" Slowly out of that mysterious gloom there grew a shape before Rod's eyes.
"You're right, Muky," cried Wabi, jumping to his feet with forced enthusiasm. "If I sit down for five minutes I'll fall asleep. Rod, you build a fire. Muky and I will make the shelter." In less than half an hour the balsam bough shelter was complete, and in front of it roared a fire that sent its light and heat for twenty paces round.
"If he doesn't discover our presence to-night we will get out of his way to-morrow," continued Rod. "No fire no talking. We must be as still as death!" For some time after their outfit was concealed among the rocks Wabigoon sat with his mouth close to the old pathfinder's ear. Then he returned to Rod. "Muky understands. He has never seen or heard of a madman, and it is hard for him to comprehend.
I had pulled myself upon the ice by catching hold of the bow of the canoe and when Muky saw that I was safe he watched for you. But you didn't show up. We had given you up for dead when a few bubbles came to the surface, and quicker than a wink Mukoki thrust down his arm. He got you by the hair as you were sinking for the last time. Think of that, Rod, and dream of it to-night. It'll do you good."
"While he's unconscious we can tie the rope about him and hoist him into the upper chasm," quickly added Wabigoon. "Muky, get to work. We move this minute!" It was still two hours before dusk, and now that they had determined on returning to Wabinosh House the adventurers lost no time in getting under way.
Rod clambered to his feet. "You mean we'll kill 'em, Muky," he broke in. "I can follow you again. Set the pace!" There came the click of the safety on Mukoki's rifle, and Rod, following suit, cocked his own. "Much quiet," whispered the Indian when they had come to the farther side of the dip. "No noise come up still shoot!"
We were now in the water a foot deep most of the time, the dogs picking their way along over the narrowest water lanes, Ituk and Koki shouting to them to gee and haw, and with Eskimo calls and whip-snapping, urging them on continually. Soon we left the smaller sled behind; Mollie, Muky and Punni making the air ring with laughter and Eskimo songs.
Then there came to him a single incautious reply from one of the shadows. "All right!" Surely that was not the English of a Woonga! It sounded like In a flash Wabi had called softly. "Ho, Muky Muky Rod!"
A weakness in that thong, a slip of the collar, and Wolf would have bounded joyously into the forests to seek for ever the packs of his fathers. Now the babeesh rope was taut, Wolf's muzzle was turned half to the sky, his ears were alert, half-sounding notes rattled in his throat. "There is something near our camp!" announced the Indian boy, drawing himself back quickly. "Muky "
"What shall we do to-morrow?" he asked. "Get out!" replied Wabi with emphasis. "That is, if you are able to travel. From what Mukoki tells me, and from what you and I already know, Woonga's people must be in the forests beyond the lake. We'll cut a trail up the Ombabika for two or three days before we strike camp. You and Muky can start out as soon as it is light enough." "And you " began Rod.
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