And each step brought them nearer, for with every mile the freshness of the trail increased.

Then came another great surprise.
The trail divided! At the edge of a small opening the Indians had separated themselves into two parties.

The trail of one sledge led into the northeast, that of the other into the northwest! With which sledge was Minnetaki?
They looked at one another in bewilderment.
Mukoki pointed to the trail into the northeast.
"We must fin' sign--sign of Minnetaki.

You take that--I take this!" Rod started off at a dog trot over the easternmost trail.

At the farther side of the opening, where the sledge had plunged into a clump of hazel, he suddenly stopped, and for a second time that morning a thrilling cry escaped his lips.