Part 17 (1/2)

That same day Wabi began his work of digging out and resetting the traps, but it was not until the day following that Rod's eyes would allow him to a.s.sist. The task was a most difficult one; rocks and other landmarks were completely hidden, and the lost traps averaged one out of four. It was not until the end of the second day after Mukoki's departure that the young hunters finished the mountain trap-line, and when they turned their faces toward camp just at the beginning of dusk it was with the expectant hope that they would find the old Indian awaiting them. But Mukoki had not returned. The next day came and pa.s.sed, and a fourth dawned without his arrival. Hope now gave way to fear. In three days Mukoki could travel nearly a hundred miles. Was it possible that something had happened to him? Many times there recurred to Rod a thought of the Woonga in the chasm. Had the mysterious spy, or some of his people, waylaid and killed him?

Neither of the hunters had a desire to leave camp during the fourth day.

Trapping was exceptionally good now on account of the scarcity of animal food and since the big storm they had captured a wolf, two lynx, a red fox and eight mink. But as Mukoki's absence lengthened their enthusiasm grew less.

In the afternoon, as they were watching, they saw a figure climb wearily to the summit of the hill.

It was Mukoki.

With shouts of greeting both youths hurried through the snow toward him, not taking time to strap on their snow-shoes. The old Indian was at their side a couple of minutes later. He smiled in a tired good-natured way, and answered the eagerness in their eyes with a nod of his head.

”Found fall. Fift' mile down mountain.”

Once in the cabin he dropped into a chair, exhausted, and both Rod and Wabigoon joined in relieving him of his boots and outer garments. It was evident that Mukoki had been traveling hard, for only once or twice before in his life had Wabi seen him so completely fatigued. Quickly the young Indian had a huge steak broiling over the fire, and Rod put an extra handful of coffee in the pot.

”Fifty miles!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Wabi for the twentieth time. ”It was an awful jaunt, wasn't it, Muky?”

”Rough--rough like devil th'ough mountains,” replied Mukoki. ”Not like that!” He swung an arm in the direction of the chasm.

Rod stood silent, open-eyed with wonder. Was it possible that the old warrior had discovered a wilder country than that through which he had pa.s.sed in the chasm?

”She little fall,” went on Mukoki, brightening as the odor of coffee and meat filled his nostrils. ”No bigger than--that!” He pointed to the roof of the cabin.

Rod was figuring on the table. Soon he looked up.

”According to Mukoki and the map we are at least two hundred and fifty miles from the third fall,” he said.

Mukoki shrugged his shoulders and his face was crinkled in a suggestive grimace.

”Hudson Bay,” he grunted.

Wabi turned from his steak in sudden astonishment.

”Doesn't the chasm continue east?” he almost shouted.

”No. She turn--straight north.”

Rod could not understand the change that came over Wabi's face.

”Boys,” he said finally, ”if that is the case I can tell you where the gold is. If the stream in the chasm turns northward it is bound for just one place--the Albany River, and the Albany River empties into James Bay! The third waterfall, where our treasure in gold is waiting for us, is in the very heart of the wildest and most savage wilderness in North America. It is safe. No other man has ever found it. But to get it means one of the longest and most adventurous expeditions we ever planned in all our lives!”

”Hurrah!” shouted Rod. ”Hurrah--”

He had leaped to his feet, forgetful of everything but that their gold was safe, and that their search for it would lead them even to the last fastnesses of the snow-bound and romantic North.

”Next spring, Wabi!” He held out his hand and the two boys joined their pledge in a hearty grip.

”Next spring!” reiterated Wabi.

”And we go in canoe,” joined Mukoki. ”Creek grow bigger. We make birch-bark canoe at first fall.”

”That is better still,” added Wabi. ”It will be a glorious trip! We'll take a little vacation at the third fall and run up to James Bay.”