the adventures of the day to Mukoki--how, in the heart of the forest
several miles beyond the lake, they had come upon the Indian hunters,
had accepted of their seemingly honest hospitality, and in the midst of
their meal had suffered an attack from them. So sudden and unexpected
had been the assault that one of the Indians got away with Rod's rifle,
ammunition belt and revolver before any effort could be made to stop
him. Wabi was under the other two Indians when Rod came to his
assistance, with the result that the latter was struck two heavy blows,
either with a club or a gun-stock. So tenaciously had the Indian boy
clung to his own weapon that his assailants, after a brief struggle,
darted into the dense underbrush, evidently satisfied with the white
boy's equipment.

"They were of Woonga's people, without a doubt," finished Wabi. "It
puzzles me why they didn't kill us. They had half a dozen chances to
shoot us, but didn't seem to want to do us any great injury. Either the
measures taken at the Post are making them reform, or--"

He paused, a troubled look in his eyes. Immediately Mukoki told of his
own experience and of the mysterious haste of the three Indians who had
slain the doe.

"It is certainly curious," rejoined the young Indian. "They couldn't
have been the ones we met, but I'll wager they belong to the same gang.
I wouldn't be surprised if we had hit upon one of Woonga's retreats.
We've always thought he was in the Thunder Bay regions to the west, and
that is where father is watching for him now. We've hit the hornets'
nest, Muky, and the only thing for us to do is to get out of this
country as fast as we can!"