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Updated: June 3, 2025
"I'm going with you boys on this next trip if I have to run away! It's not fair for Wabi and Mukoki and you to leave me alone all of the time. And, besides, I've been making all the arrangements while you were gone. I've won over mamma and your mother, and Maballa, mamma's Indian woman, will go with me. There's just one who says 'No!" And Minnetaki clasped her hands pathetically.
"How do you know?" asked Rod, whose hunger was ravenous. "Fine thick spruce, all in shelter of dip," explained the Indian. "Birds winter here." Wabi had unpacked the furs, and the larger of these, including six lynx and three especially fine wolf skins, he divided into three piles. "They'll make mighty comfortable beds if you keep close enough to the fire," he explained.
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.
With a chuckle of pleasure Mukoki jumped to his feet and ran out to where the ribs of the doe were slowly broiling over the fire. They were already done to a rich brown and their dripping juice filled the nostrils with an appetizing odor. By the time Wabi had applied Mukoki's prescription to his comrade's wounds, and had done them up in bandages, the tempting feast was spread before them.
The Indian's dusky face was raised until the two were looking into each other's eyes, with a gaze of love, and trust. Only a moment thus, and instinctively their glance turned toward the lake. The wolf-pack was in plain view. It was the biggest pack that Wabi, in all his life in the wilderness, had ever seen, and he mentally figured that there were at least half a hundred animals in it.
Standing on the edge of the pool Rod pointed into the falling torrent. "He dived straight under," he said. "The opening to the cavern is directly behind the shoot of falling water." Wabi placed his hat and coat upon a rock. "I'll try it first. Wait until I come back," he said. Without another word he plunged into the pool. Minute after minute passed, and he did not reappear.
"'Ello 'ello 'ello!" It sounded like a distant human greeting, but Rod knew that it was the awakening night cry of what Wabi called the "man owl." It was weirdly human-like; and the echoes came softly, and more softly, until ghostly voices seemed to be whispering in the blackness about him. "'Ello 'ello 'ello!" The boy shivered and laid his rifle across his knees.
The old warrior stood leaning on his rifle, speechless and motionless, his eyes regarding the process of rekindling the fire with mute disapprobation. Wabi, poised on one knee, looked at him questioningly. "No make more fire," said the old Indian, shaking his head. "No dare stay here. Go on beyond mountain!" Mukoki straightened himself and stretched a long arm toward the north.
Much fine sunshine to-day. Find wolves on mountain plenty wolves!" The boys tumbled from their blankets and began dressing. "What time did you get in?" asked Wabi. "Now," replied Mukoki, pointing to the hot stove and the peeled potatoes. "Just make fire good." Wabi gave Rod a suggestive look as the old Indian bent over the stove. "What were you doing last night?" he questioned.
"I'm ashamed of you, Roderick Drew!" said the girl, standing before him in mock displeasure. "You and Wabi were the stupidest things I ever saw at dinner! Have you all forgotten your promise to me? your promise that I should go with you on your next trip? I wanted you to speak about it right there at dinner!" "But I I couldn't!" stammered Rod awkwardly. "But I'm going!" said Minnetaki decisively.
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