“Yes—­but you.  How—­”

“Oh, I’ll swim!” said Wabi in rank bravado.  “I don’t mind a little whirlpool like that at all!”

Mukoki chuckled in high humor, and Roderick asked no more questions, but at Wabi’s command dug in his paddle and kept at it until the birch bark safely made the point of land beyond the rock.  When he looked back Wabi had tied the rope around his body and was already waist deep in the water.  At a signal from Mukoki the young Indian plunged fearlessly into the edge of the whirlpool and like a great floundering fish he was quickly pulled across to safety.  Most of his clothes had been brought over in the canoe, and after Wabigoon had exchanged his wet garments for these the adventurers were ready to continue their journey down the chasm.  A short portage brought them to the main channel of the stream, where they once more launched their birch bark.

“If the whole trip is as exciting as this we’ll never reach our gold,” said Wabi, as they slipped out into the swift current.  “A madman, a whirlpool and a prison, all in one night, is almost more than we can stand.”

“There’s a good deal of truth in the old saying that it never rains but it pours,” replied Rod.  “Maybe we’ll have smooth sailing from now on.”

“Mebby!” grunted the old pathfinder from behind.

Rod’s optimism was vindicated for that day, at least.  Until noon the canoe sped swiftly down the chasm without mishap.  The stream, to which each mile added its contribution of flood water from the mountain tops, increased constantly in width and depth, but only now and then was there a rock to threaten their progress, and no driftwood at all.  When the gold seekers landed for dinner they were confident of two things:  that they had passed far beyond the mad hunter’s reach, and were very near to the first waterfall.  Memory of the thrilling experiences through which they had so recently run the gauntlet was replaced by the most exciting anticipation of the sound and sight of that first waterfall, which was so vitally associated with their search for the lost treasure.  This time a hearty dinner was cooked, and it took more than an hour to prepare and eat it.

When the journey was resumed Mukoki placed himself in the bow, his sharp eyes scanning the rocks and mountain walls ahead of him.  Two hours after the start he gave an exultant exclamation, and raised a warning hand above his head.  The three listened.  Faintly above the rush of the swift current there came to their ears the distant rumble of falling water!

Forgetful now of the madman back in the chasm, oblivious of everything but the fact that they had at last reached the first of the three falls which were to lead them to the gold, Wabi gave a whoop that echoed and reechoed between the mountain walls, and Rod joined him with all the power of his lungs.  Mukoki grinned, chuckled in his curious way, and a few moments later signaled Wabi to guide the canoe ashore.