It was here that Wabi and the old Indian guide found them five minutes later.  Hearing Rod’s first piercing yell of attack, they had raced into the forest, afterward guided by the two or three shrill screams which Minnetaki had unconsciously emitted during the struggle.  Close behind them, smelling trouble, followed two of the Post employees.

The attempted abduction of Wabi’s sister, Rod’s heroic rescue and the death of one of the captors, who was recognized as one of Woonga’s men, caused a seven-day sensation at the Post.

There was now no thought of leaving on the part of the young wolf hunters.  It was evident that Woonga was again in the neighborhood, and Wabi and Rod, together with a score of Indians and hunters, spent days in scouring the forests and swamps.  But the Woongas disappeared as suddenly as they came.  Not until Wabi had secured a promise from Minnetaki that she would no longer go into the forests unaccompanied did the Indian youth again allow himself to take up their interrupted plans.

Minnetaki had been within easy calling distance of help when the Woongas, without warning, sprang upon her, smothered her attempted cries and dragged her away, compelling her to walk alone over the soft earth where Rod had seen her footsteps, so that any person who followed might suppose she was alone and safe.  This fact stirred the dozen white families at the Post into aggressive action, and four of the most skillful Indian track-hunters in the service were detailed to devote themselves exclusively to hunting down the outlaws, their operations not to include a territory extending more than twenty miles from Wabinosh House in any direction.  With these precautions it was believed that no harm could come to Minnetaki or other young girls of the Post.

It was, therefore, on a Monday, the fourth day of November, that Rod, Wabi and Mukoki turned their faces at last to the adventures that awaited them in the great North.

CHAPTER IV

RODERICK’S FIRST TASTE OF THE HUNTER’S LIFE

By this time it was bitter cold.  The lakes and rivers were frozen deep and a light snow covered the ground.  Already two weeks behind their plans, the young wolf hunters and the old Indian made forced marches around the northern extremity of Lake Nipigon and on the sixth day found themselves on the Ombabika River, where they were compelled to stop on account of a dense snow-storm.  A temporary camp was made, and it was while constructing this camp that Mukoki discovered signs of wolves.  It was therefore decided to remain for a day or two and investigate the hunting-grounds.  On the morning of the second day Wabi shot at and wounded the old bull moose which met such a tragic end a few hours later, and that same morning the two boys made a long tour to the north in the hope of finding that they were in a good game country, which would mean also that there were plenty of wolves.