t the cabin, came
out a little later for supplies, and brought the buckskin bag full of
gold with them. They had come as far as the cabin at the head of the
chasm when they quarreled over possession of the map and agreement,
fought, and died. From the old guns and other evidences we found near
them we know that all this happened at least fifty years ago, and
perhaps more. But--"

He paused, whistling softly.

"Where is the third waterfall?"

"I thought we settled that last winter," replied Rod, a little
irritated by his companion's doubt. "If writing goes for anything,
Ball was a man of education, and he drew the map according to some
sort of scale. The second fall is only half as far from the first fall
as the third fall is from the second, which is conclusive evidence of
this. Now Mukoki discovered the first waterfall fifty miles down the
chasm!"

"And we figured from the distances between John Ball's marks on the
birch, that the third fall was about two hundred and fifty miles from
our old camp at the head of the chasm," rejoined Wabigoon. "It looks
reasonable."

"It is reasonable," declared Rod, his face flushed with excitement.
"From the head of the chasm our trail is as plain as day. We can't
miss it!"

Mukoki had been listening in silence, and now joined in the
conversation for the first time.

"Must get to chasm first," he grunted, giving his shoulders a hunch
that suggested a great deal.

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
h