ould stand. And so it happened that
it was full two months after he had made his assertion in the old
cabin before Rod was in good health again.

One day Minnetaki had a tremendous surprise in store for him. Rod had
never seen her look quite so pretty, or quite so timid, as she did on
this particular morning.

"Will you forgive me for--for--keeping something from you, Rod?" she
asked. She did not wait for the boy's reply, but went on. "When you
were so sick, and we thought you might die, I wrote to your mother and
we sent the letter down by a special sledge. And--and--oh, Rod, I just
can't keep it in any longer, no matter if you do scold me! Your mother
has come--and she is at Wabinosh House now!"

For a moment Rod stood like one struck dumb. Then he found his voice
in a series of war-whoops which quickly brought Wabi in, only to see
his friend dancing around Minnetaki like one gone crazy.

"Forgive you!" he shouted again and again. "Minnetaki, you're a
brick--you certainly are a brick!"

As soon as Wabi was made acquainted with the cause of Roderick's
excitement he also joined in the other's wild rejoicing, and their
antics startled half the house of Kenegami. Mukoki shared their joy,
and Wabi hugged and kissed his sister until her pretty face was like a
wild rose.

"Hurrah!" shouted Wabi for the twentieth time. "That means we start on
our hunt for the lost gold-mine within a fortnight!"

"It means--" began Roderick.

"It means--" interrupted Minnetaki, "it means that you're all happy
but me--and I'm glad for Rod's sake, and I want to know his mother.
But you're all going--and I'm to be left behind!"

There was no laughter in her voice, and Rod and Wabigoon became
suddenly quiet as she turned away.

"I'm sorry," said Wabi. "But--we can't help it."

Mukoki broke the tension.

"How bright the sun shine!" he exclaimed. "Snow an' ice go.
Spring--heem here!"

CHAPTER VII

ON THE TRAIL OF GOLD

And each day thereafter the sun rose earlier, and the day was longer,
and the air was warmer; and with the warmth there now came the sweet
scents of the budding earth and the myriad sounds of the deep, unseen
life of the forests, awakening from its long slumber in its bed of
snow. The moose-birds chirped their mating songs and flirted from
morning till night in bough and air, and the jays and ravens fluffed
themselves in the sun, and the snowbirds, little black and white
beauties that were wont to whisk ab