The “Skeleton Mine,” as he had come to call it, now absorbed his thoughts beyond everything else.  He felt confident that he would discover the lost treasure ground if given time, and he was just as confident that if war was once begun between themselves and the Woongas it would mean disaster or quick flight from the country.  Even Wabi, worked up more in battle enthusiasm than by gold fever, conceded that if half of the Woongas were in this country they were much too powerful for them to cope with successfully, especially as one of them was without a rifle.

It was therefore with inward exultation that Rod saw the project of attack dropped and Mukoki and Wabigoon proceed with their short task of scalping the seven wolves.  During this operation Wolf was allowed to feast upon the carcass of the buck.

That night there was but little sleep in the old cabin.  It was two o’clock when the hunters arrived in camp and from that hour until nearly four they sat about the hot stove making plans for the day that was nearly at hand.  Rod could but contrast the excitement that had now taken possession of them with the tranquil joy with which they had first taken up their abode in this dip in the hilltop.  And how different were their plans from those of two or three days ago!  Not one of them now but realized their peril.  They were in an ideal hunting range, but it was evidently very near, if not actually in, the Woonga country.  At any moment they might be forced to fight for their lives or abandon their camp, and perhaps they would be compelled to do both.

So the gathering about the stove was in reality a small council of war.  It was decided that the old cabin should immediately be put into a condition of defense, with a loophole on each side, strong new bars at the door, and with a thick barricade near at hand that could be quickly fitted against the window in case of attack.  Until the war-clouds cleared away, if they cleared at all, the camp would be continually guarded by one of the hunters, and with this garrison would be left both of the heavy revolvers.  At dawn or a little later Mukoki would set out upon Wabi’s trap-line, both to become acquainted with it and to extend the line of traps, while later in the day the Indian youth would follow Mukoki’s line, visiting the houses already built and setting other traps.  This scheme left to Rod the first day’s watch in camp.

Mukoki aroused himself from his short sleep with the first approach of dawn but did not awaken his tired companions until breakfast was ready.  When the meal was finished he seized his gun and signified his intention of visiting the mink traps just beyond the hill before leaving on his long day’s trail.  Rod at once joined him, leaving Wabi to wash the dishes.

They were shortly within view of the trap-houses near the creek.  Instinctively the eyes of both rested upon these houses and neither gave very close attention to the country ahead or about them.  As a result both were exceedingly startled when they heard a huge snort and a great crunching in the deep snow close beside them.  From out of a small growth of alders had dashed a big bull moose, who was now tearing with the speed of a horse up the hillside toward the hidden camp, evidently seeking the quick shelter of the dip.