Again Rod whistled, laughing as he drew a little farther back, and again Minnetaki answered, peering in among the trees.  He saw the wondering, half-expectant glow in her eyes, and suddenly crying out her name he sprang from his concealment.  With a little cry of joy and with hands outstretched Minnetaki ran to meet him.

CHAPTER XVIII

JOHN BALL’S STORY

That same morning two big canoes set out across Lake Nipigon for Wabigoon and John Ball.  Mukoki returned with the canoes, but Rod remained at the Post, and not a moment’s rest did he have during the whole of that day from the eager questions of those whom he had so completely surprised by his unexpected return.  Few stories could have been more thrilling than his, though he told it in the simplest manner possible.  Rod’s appearance more than his words was evidence of the trials he and his companions had passed through.  His face was emaciated to startling thinness by desperate exertion and lack of sleep, and both his face and his hands were covered with scratches and bruises.  Not until late in the afternoon did he go to bed, and it was noon the following day when he awoke from his heavy slumber.

The canoes had returned, and John Ball was in the doctor’s care.  At dinner Rod and Wabi were made to go over their adventures again, and even Mukoki, who had joined them in this reunion, was not allowed to escape the endless questioning of Minnetaki, the factor’s wife, and Rod’s mother.  Rod was seated at the table between Mrs. Drew and Minnetaki.  Several times during the conversation he felt the young girl’s hand touch his arm.  Once, when the factor spoke about their return to the gold in the cavern, this mysterious signaling of Minnetaki’s took the form of a pinch that made him squirm.  Not until after dinner, and the two were alone, did he begin to comprehend.

“I’m ashamed of you, Roderick Drew!” said the girl, standing before him in mock displeasure.  “You and Wabi were the stupidest things I ever saw at dinner!  Have you all forgotten your promise to me?—­your promise that I should go with you on your next trip?  I wanted you to speak about it right there at dinner!”

“But I—­I—­couldn’t!” stammered Rod awkwardly.

“But I’m going!” said Minnetaki decisively.  “I’m going with you boys on this next trip—­if I have to run away!  It’s not fair for Wabi and Mukoki and you to leave me alone all of the time.  And, besides, I’ve been making all the arrangements while you were gone.  I’ve won over mamma and your mother, and Maballa, mamma’s Indian woman, will go with me.  There’s just one who says—­’No!’” And Minnetaki clasped her hands pathetically.

“And that’s papa,” completed Rod, laughing.

“Yes.”

“Well, if he is the only one against us we stand a good chance of winning.”

“I’m going to have mamma and Wabigoon get him by themselves to-night,” said the girl.  “Papa will do anything on earth for her, and he thinks Wabi is the best boy on earth.  Mamma says she will lock the door and won’t let him out until he has given his promise.  Oh, what a glorious time we’ll have!”