fear which he could not have named.

Mukoki was beside the charred remains of the fire. He had buried his
hand deep among them, and when he rose be made a sign toward Rod's
watch.

"Eight o'clock, Mukoki."

"Woonga here las' night," declared the old Indian slowly. "Leave camp
four hour ago!"

What did it mean?

Had Minnetaki been hurt, so dangerously hurt that her captors had not
dared to move her?

Rod asked himself no more questions. But he was trembling. And Mukoki
and Wabigoon went on with strange, unnatural faces and breathed not
the whisper of a word between them. The mystery was beyond them all.
But one thing they realized, whatever had happened they were close
upon the heels of the savages. And each step brought them nearer,
for with every mile the freshness of the trail increased. Then came
another great surprise.

The trail divided!

At the edge of a small opening the Indians had separated themselves
into two parties. The trail of one sledge led into the northeast, that
of the other into the northwest!