“Mukoki—­the gold was found between those mountains!”

CHAPTER IX

WOLF TAKES VENGEANCE UPON HIS PEOPLE

From that hour was born in Roderick Drew’s breast a strange, imperishable desire.  Willingly at this moment would he have given up the winter trapping to have pursued that golden ignis fatuus of all ages—­the lure of gold.  To him the story of the old cabin, the skeletons and the treasure of the buckskin bag was complete.  Those skeletons had once been men.  They had found a mine—­a place where they had picked up nuggets with their fingers.  And that treasure ground was somewhere near.  No longer was he puzzled by the fact that they had discovered no more gold in the old log cabin.  In a flash he had solved that mystery.  The men had just begun to gather their treasure when they had fought.  What was more logical than that?  One day, two, three—­and they had quarreled over division, over rights.  That was the time when they were most likely to quarrel.  Perhaps one had discovered the gold and had therefore claimed a larger share.  Anyway, the contents of the buckskin bag represented but a few days’ labor.  Rod was sure of that.

Mukoki had grinned and shrugged his shoulders with an air of stupendous doubt when Rod had told him that the gold lay between the mountains, so now the youth kept his thoughts to himself.  It was a silent trail home.  Rod’s mind was too active in its new channel, and he was too deeply absorbed in impressing upon his memory certain landmarks which they passed to ask questions; and Mukoki, with the natural taciturnity of his race, seldom found occasion to break into conversation unless spoken to first.  Although his eyes were constantly on the alert, Rod could see no way in which a descent could be made into the chasm from the ridge they were on.  This was a little disappointing, for he had made up his mind to explore the gloomy, sunless gulch at his first opportunity.  He had no doubt that Wabi would join in the adventure.  Or he might take his own time, and explore it alone.  He was reasonably sure that from somewhere on the opposite ridge a descent could be made into it.

Wabi was in camp when they arrived.  He had set eighteen traps and had shot two spruce partridges.  The birds were already cleaned for their early supper, and a thick slice of venison steak was added to the menu.  During the preparation of the meal Rod described their discovery of the chasm and revealed some of his thoughts concerning it, but Wabi betrayed only passing flashes of interest.  At times he seemed strangely preoccupied and would stand in an idle, contemplative mood, his hands buried deep in his pockets, while Rod or Mukoki proceeded with the little duties about the table or the stove.  Finally, after arousing himself from one of these momentary spells, he pulled a brass shell from his pocket and held it out to the old Indian.