What do you say, Muky ?" he called back.
The old pathfinder was silent.

In surprise Wabi ceased paddling, and repeated his question.
"Don't you think it is safe ?" Mukoki wet his hand over the side and held it above his head.
"Wind in south," he said.

"Maybe no get stronger, but--" "If she did," added Rod dubiously, noting how heavily laden the canoe was, "we'd be in a fix, as sure as you live!" "It will take us all of to-day and half of to-morrow to follow the shore," urged Wabi, "while by cutting straight across the lake we can make the other side early this afternoon.

Let's risk it!" Mukoki grunted something that was a little less than approval, and Rod felt a peculiar sensation shoot through him as the frail birch headed out into the big lake.

Their steady strokes sent the canoe through the water at fully four miles an hour, and by the time broad day had come the forest-clad shore at Wabinosh House was only a hazy outline in the distance.