Prev | Current Page 272 | Next

Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946

"Rolf in the Woods"

It came again: " Ye-hoo-o." No mistake now, and Rolf sent
the ringing answer back:
"Ye-hoo-o, ye-hoo-o."
In ten minutes there was a sharp " yap, yap," and Skookum bounded
out of the woods to leap and bark around Rolf, as though he knew
all about it; while a few minutes later, came Quonab striding.
"Ho, boy," he said, with a quiet smile, and took Rolf's hand.
"Ugh! That was good," and he nodded to the smoke fire. "I knew
you were in trouble."
"Yes," and Rolf pointed to the swollen ankle.
The Indian picked up the lad in his arms and carried him back to
the little camp. Then, from his light pack, he took bread and tea
and made a meal for both. And, as they ate, each heard the
other's tale.
"I was troubled when you did not come back last night, for you
had no food or blanket. I did not sleep. At dawn I went to the
hill, where I pray, and looked away southeast where you went in
the canoe. I saw nothing. Then I went to a higher hill, where I
could see the northeast, and even while I watched, I saw the two
smokes, so I knew my son was alive."
"You mean to tell me I am northeast of camp? "
"About four miles.


Pages:
260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284