That she had been here a few minutes before he could tell by the fact that the ice about the birch-bark was broken, as though the girl had tested its thickness by shoving the light craft out into it for a few feet.

Her footsteps led plainly up the shelving shore and into the forest.
"O Minnetaki--Minnetaki!" Rod called loudly and listened.

There was no response.

As if impelled by some presentiment which he himself could not explain, the boy hurried deeper into the forest along the narrow path which Minnetaki must have taken.

Five minutes--ten minutes--and he called again.