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A deep sigh escaped Rod's lips. "Hey, what's wrong?" the captain cried. "Gittin' tired, and want to go home?" "Oh, no, no," was the emphatic reply. "I sighed because I am so happy." "H'm. That's it, eh? I thought people generally whistled or laughed when they are happy." "Is that what you do, Captain Josh, when you're happy?" "Me? I'm never happy."
Dr. Perry couldn't have done any better with what you had on hand. I don't know how I should get along without you, boy!" Here Ivory patted Rod's shoulder. "You're not a child any longer, Rod; you're a man and a brother, that's what you are; and to prove it I'll take the first watch and call you up at one o'clock to take the second, so that I can be ready for my school work to-morrow!
But the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his suspicion was well grounded. He watched her very carefully, and noted her special interest in Rod. Another thing which confirmed his belief was the stopping of all letters from Rod's mother as soon as Miss Royanna arrived at Hillcrest.
The mad hunter was John Ball, and with that thought burning in his brain Rod stopped beside the fish the madman's offering of peace and turned his face once more back toward the black loneliness of the pool. Unconsciously a sobbing cry of sympathy fell softly from Rod's lips, and he called John Ball's name again, louder and louder, until it echoed far down the gloomy depths of the chasm.
There had sprung up in Rod's breast a great, human, throbbing sympathy for him, and in the dim candle-glow his eyes glistened with a dampness which he made no attempt to conceal. "What does Mukoki mean by 'wolf night'?" he asked. "Muky is a wizard when it comes to hunting wolves," Wabi went on. "He has studied them and thought of them every day of his life for nearly twenty years.
The wounded Indian smiled with something like the old light in his eyes and a mighty load was lifted from Rod's heart. "You're better?" he asked. "Fine!" replied Mukoki. "No much hurt. Good fight some more. Wabi say, 'No, you stay." His face became a map of grimaces to show his disapproval of Wabi's command. Rod helped himself to the meat and coffee.
"Shoot your mouth off about me as much as you please, you miserable sneak," he grated; "but don't you dare ring in the name of any decent girl unless you are thirsting to get the worst walloping of your life!" Rod's eyes blazed and he was truly terrible.
But he soon recovered himself, and, with clenched fists, was rushing upon Bert, to pummel him fiercely, when Teter Johnston, who had just come up, sprang in between, and, catching Rod's uplifted arm, cried out, sternly: "Stop, now! none of that! This must be a fair fight, and you shan't begin until Lloyd is ready."
Floating logs and masses of brush and other debris swept down with the flood, and Wabi's warning cries of "right," "left," and "back" came with such frequency that Rod's arms ached with the mighty efforts which he made with his paddle in response to them.
Rod's joyous voice was like the touch of fire to Wabi's enthusiasm and in a moment the oppressive silence of their journey down the chasm was broken by the wild cheers which the young gold seekers sent echoing between the mountains. Grimacing and chuckling in his own curious way, Mukoki was already slipping along the edge of the rock, seeking some break by which he might reach the lower chasm.
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