Wabi returned the map to his pocket.

"You're right, Muky," he laughed. "We're climbing mountains before we
come to them. It will be tough work getting to the chasm."

"Much water--ver' swift. River run lak twent' t'ous'nd cari-boo!"

"I'll bet the Ombabika is a raging torrent," said Rod.

"And we've got forty miles of it, all upstream," replied Wabi. "Then
we come to the Height of Land. After that the streams run northward,
to Hudson Bay, and when we reach them we'll hold our breath and pray
instead of paddling. Oh, it will be exciting fun rushing down-stream
on the floods!"

"But there is work before us to-morrow--hard work," said Rod. "And I'm
going to bed. Good night!"

Mukoki and Wabigoon soon followed their companion's example, and half
an hour later nothing but the crackling of the fire disturbed the
stillness of the camp. Mukoki was as regular as clockwork in his
rising, and an hour before dawn he was up and preparing breakfast.
When his young comrades aroused themselves they found the ducks they
had shot the preceding day roasting on spits over the fire, and coffee
nearly ready. Rod also noticed that a part of the contents of the
canoe were missing.

"Took load up to river," explained Mukoki in response to the youth's
questioning.