o lend a helping hand at any time you think you deserve another, but
beyond that please count me out!"

For an hour after the self-punishment of the young gold hunters the
three gathered fuel for the night and balsam boughs for their beds. It
was dark by the time they sat down to their supper, which they ate in
the light of a huge fire of dry poplar.

"This is better than paddling all night, even if we did have a close
shave," said Rod, after they had finished and settled themselves
comfortably.

Wabi gave a grimace and shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you know how close your call was?" he asked. "It was so close that
just by one chance in ten thousand you were saved. I had pulled myself
upon the ice by catching hold of the bow of the canoe and when Muky
saw that I was safe he watched for you. But you didn't show up. We
had given you up for dead when a few bubbles came to the surface, and
quicker than a wink Mukoki thrust down his arm. He got you by the hair
as you were sinking for the last time. Think of that, Rod, and dream
of it to-night. It'll do you good."

"Ugh!" shuddered the white youth. "Let's talk of something more
cheerful. What a glorious fire that poplar makes!"

"Mak' light more as twent' t'ous'nd candles!" agreed Mukoki. "Heem
bright!"

"Once upon a time, many ages ago, there was a great chief in this
country," began Wabigoon, "and he had seven beautiful daughters. So
beautiful were they that the Great Spirit himself fell in love with
them, and for the first time in countless moons he appeared upon
earth, and told the chief that if he would give him his seven
daughters he, in turn, would grant the father seven great desires. And
the chief, surrendering his daughters, asked that he might be given a
day without night, and a night without day, and his wish was granted;
and his third and fourth and fifth desires were that the land might
always be filled with fish and game, the forests remain for ever
green, and fire be given to his people. His sixth desire was that a
fuel be given to him which would burn even in water, and the Great
Spirit gave him birch; and his seventh desire was that he might
possess another fuel, which would throw off no smoke, and might bring
comfort and joy to his wigwams--and the poplar sprang up in the
forests. And because of that chief, and his seven beautiful daughters,
all of these things are true even to this day. Isn't it so, Mukoki?"

The old warrior nodded.

"And what b