"Chunks!" cried Rod, straightening as if some one had run a pin into
his back. "How big is it?"

"Big as a pea--a big pea!"

The words were no sooner out of the young Indian's mouth than Roderick
was upon his feet and running to his companion.

"Mica doesn't come in chunks! Where--"

He bent over Wabi's pan. In the very middle of it lay a suspiciously
yellow pebble, worn round and smooth by the water, and when Rod took
it in his fingers he gave a low whistle of mock astonishment as he
gazed down into Wabigoon's face.

"Wabi, I'm ashamed of you!" he said, trying hard to choke back the
quiver in his voice. "Mica doesn't come in round chunks like this.
Mica isn't heavy. And this is _both_!"

From the cedars beyond the old cabin came Mukoki's whooping signal
that dinner was ready.




CHAPTER XV


THE TREASURE IN THE POOL