Once Minnetaki's voice came to them faintly, and they answered it with a shout.

But that was all.

After a time Rod said, "By George, this saying good-by is the toughest part of the whole business!" His words cleared away the feeling of oppression that seemed to have fallen on them.
"It's always hard for me to leave Minnetaki," replied Wabigoon.

"Some day I'm going to take her on a trip with me." "She'd be a bully fellow!" cried Rod with enthusiasm.
From the stern of the canoe came a delighted chuckle from Mukoki.
"She brave--she shoot, she hunt, she be dam' fine!" he added, and both Rod and Wabi burst out laughing.

The young Indian looked at his compass by the light of a match.
"We'll strike straight across Lake Nipigon instead of following the shore.