Twenty miles
they made that day and twenty-five the next, for now they were on
good roads, and their packs were lighter. More than once they
found kind farmer folk who gave them a meal. But many times
Skookum made trouble for them. The farmers did not like the way
he behaved among their hens. Skookum never could be made to
grasp the fine zoological distinction between partridges which
are large birds and fair game, and hens which are large birds,
but not fair game. Such hair splitting was obviously unworthy of
study, much less of acceptance.
Soon it was clearly better for Rolf, approaching a house, to go
alone, while Quonab held Skookum. The dogs seemed less excited
by Rolf's smell, and remembering his own attitude when tramps
came to one or another of his ancient homes, he always asked if
they would let him work for a meal, and soon remarked that his
success was better when he sought first the women of the house,
and then, smiling to show his very white teeth, spoke in clear
and un-Indian English, which had the more effect coming from an
evident Indian.
"Since I am to be an Indian, Quonab, you must give me an Indian
name," he said after one of these episodes.
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