Rod noticed that each time they were caught near one of these some unseen power seemed sucking them down, and that at those times the canoe would settle several inches deeper than when they were in calm water.  The discovery thrilled him, and he wondered what one of the big eruptions out in mid-stream would do to them if they were caught in it.  Other perils were constantly near them.  Floating logs and masses of brush and other debris swept down with the flood, and Wabi’s warning cries of “right,” “left,” and “back” came with such frequency that Rod’s arms ached with the mighty efforts which he made with his paddle in response to them.  Again the stream would boil with such fury ahead of them that Mukoki would put in to shore, and a portage would be made beyond the danger point.  Five times during the day were the canoe and its contents carried in this manner, so that including all time lost an average of not more than two miles an hour was made.  When camp was struck late that afternoon, however, Mukoki figured that they had covered half the distance up the Ombabika.

The following day’s progress was even slower.  With every mile the stream became narrower and swifter.  The treacherous upheavals caused by undercurrents no longer harassed the gold seekers, but logs and debris swept down with greater velocity.  Several times the frail canoe was saved from destruction only by the quick and united action of the three.  They worked now like a well-regulated machine, engineered by Wabigoon, whose sharp eyes were always on the alert for danger ahead.  This second day was one of thrills and tense anxiety for Rod, and he was glad when it came to an end.  It was early, and the sun was still two hours high, when they stopped to camp.

Mukoki had chosen an open space, backed by a poplar-covered rocky ridge, and scarce had the bow of the canoe touched shore when Wabi gave an excited exclamation, caught up his rifle, and fired three rapid shots in the direction of a small clump of spruce near the foot of the mountain.

“Missed, by all that’s good and great!” he yelled.  “Quick, Mukoki, shove her in!  There’s the biggest bear I’ve seen in all my life!”

“Where?” demanded Rod.  “Where is he?”

He dropped his paddle and snatched his own rifle, while Mukoki, keeping his self-possession, brought the canoe so that Wabi could leap ashore.  Rod followed like a flash, and the two excited youths sped in the direction of the bear, leaving their companion to care for himself and the heavily-laden birch.  A short, swift run brought them to the edge of the spruce, and with hearts beating wildly the two scanned the barren side of the mountain ahead of them.  There was no sign of the bear.

“He turned down-stream!” cried Wabi, “We must cut—­”

“There he is,” whispered Rod sharply.

Just beginning the ascent of the mountain, four or five hundred yards below them, was the bear.  Even at that distance Rod was amazed at the size of the beast.