The Gold Hunters | Page 7

the first

thing to be done?" "We must strike for the Woonga trail without a
moment of unnecessary delay," declared Wabi. "Minutes are priceless,
an hour lost or gained may mean everything!"
"But the dogs--"
"You can take mine," interrupted the courier. "There are six of them, all
good heavy fellows and not overly bushed. You can add a few of your
own and I'll take what's left to drive on the mail. I would advise you to
rest for an hour or so and give them and yourselves a good feed. It'll
count in the long run."
Mukoki grunted his approval of the driver's words and Rod at once
began gathering more fuel for the fire. The temporary camp was soon a
scene of the liveliest activity. While the courier unpacked his
provisions, Mukoki and Wabigoon assembled the teams and proceeded
to select three of the best of their own animals to put in harness with
those of the Hudson Bay mail. The dogs from Wabinosh House were
wildly famished and at the sight and odor of the great piece of meat
which the courier began cutting up for them they set up a snarling and
snapping of jaws, and began fighting indiscriminately among
themselves until the voices of their human companions were almost
drowned in the tumult. A full pound of the meat was given to each dog,
and other pieces of it were suspended over beds of coals drawn out
from the big fire. Meanwhile Rod was chopping through the thick ice
of the lake in search of water.
After a little Wabi came down to join him.
"Our sledge is ready," he said, as Rod stopped to rest for a moment.
"We're a little short on grub for nine dogs and three people, but we've
got plenty of ammunition. We ought to find something on the trail."
"Rabbits, anyway," suggested Rod, resuming his chopping. A few more
strokes, and water gushed through. Filling two pails the boys returned
to camp.
The shadows from the sharp pointed cedars of the forest were falling

far out upon the frozen lake when the meal was finished, and the sun,
sinking early to its rest beyond the homeless solitudes, infused but little
warmth as the three hunters prepared to leave. It was only three o'clock,
but a penetrating chill was growing in the air. Half an hour more and
only a reddish glow would be where the northern sun still shone feebly.
In the far North winter night falls with the swiftness of wings; it
enshrouds one like a palpable, moving thing, a curtain of gloom that
can almost be touched and felt, and so it came now, as the dogs were
hitched to their sledge and Rod, Mukoki and Wabigoon bade good-by
to the driver of the Hudson Bay mail.
"You'll make the other side in four hours," he called, as Mukoki's cries
sent the dogs trotting out upon the lake. "And then--I'd camp!"
Running on ahead Mukoki set the pace and marked the trail. Wabi took
the first turn on the sledge, and Rod, who was fresher than either of his
comrades, followed close behind. After a little he drew up beside the
young Indian and placed a hand on his shoulder as he ran.
"We will reach our old camp--in the plain--to-morrow?" he questioned,
between breaths.
"To-morrow," affirmed Wabi. "Mukoki will show us the shortest cut to
it. After that, after we reach the camp, everything will depend upon
you."
Rod fell behind in the path made by the sledge, and saved his breath.
His mind was working as never before in his life. When they reached
the camp in which the wounded Mukoki had lain after their escape
from the Woongas, could he find the old trail where he had seen
Minnetaki's footprints? He was quite sure of himself, and yet he was
conscious of an indefinable something growing in him as he noticed
more and more what the sun had done that day. Was it nervousness, or
fear? Surely he could find the trail, even though it was almost
obliterated! But he wished that it had been Mukoki or Wabigoon who
had discovered it, either of whom, with the woodcraft instinct born in
them, would have gone to it as easily as a fox to the end of a strong trail
hidden in autumn leaves. If he did fail--He shuddered, even as he ran,

as he thought of the fate that awaited Minnetaki. A few hours before he
had been one of the happiest youths in the world. Wabi's lovely little
sister, he had believed, was safe at Kenegami House; he had bade adieu
to his friends at the Post; every minute after that had taken him nearer
to that far city in the South, to his mother,