n we get thawed out, I want you to kick me," he pleaded. "I
want you to kick me good and hard, and then I'll take great pleasure
in kicking you. And ever after this, when we do a thing that Mukoki
tells us not to do, we'll kick some more!"

"Who pulled us out?" asked Rod.

"Mukoki, of course. Will you kick me?"

"Shake!"

And the two dripping, half-frozen young adventurers shook hands,
while Mukoki chuckled and grunted and gurgled until he set the others
bursting into laughter.

CHAPTER VIII

THE YELLOW BULLET

Before a rousing fire of logs Rod and Wabigoon began to see the
cheerful side of life again, and as soon as Mukoki had built them a
balsam shelter they stripped off their clothes and wrapped themselves
in blankets, while the old Indian dried their outfits. It was two
hours before they were dressed. No sooner were they out than Wabi
went into the bush and returned a few minutes later brandishing a
good-sized birch in his hand. There was no sign of humor in his face
as he eyed Rod.

"Do you see that log?" he said, pointing to the big trunk of a fallen
tree near the fire "That will just fit your stomach, Rod. It will be
better than kicking. Double yourself over that, face down, pantaloons
up. I'm going to lick you first because I want you to know just how
much to give me. I want it twice as hard, for I was more to blame than
you."

In some astonishment Rod doubled himself over the log.

"Great Scott!" he ejaculated, peering up in dismay. "Not too hard,
Wabi!"

Swish! fell the birch, and a yell of pain burst from the white youth's
lips.

Swish!--Swish!--Swish!

"Ouch! Great Caesar--Let up!"

"Don't move!" shouted Wabi. "Take it like a man--you deserve it!"

Again and again the birch fell. Rod groaned as he rose to his feet
after Wabi had stopped. "Oh, please--please give me that whip!"

"Not too hard, you know," warned Wabi, as he fitted himself over the
log.

"You chose your own poison," reminded Rod, rolling up his sleeve.
"Just twice as hard, no more!"

And the birch began to fall.

When it was over Rod's arm ached, and Wabi, despite his Indian
stoicism, let out a long howl at the last blow.

During the entire scene of chastisement Mukoki stood like one struck
dumb.

"We'll never be bad any more, Muky," promised Wabigoon, rubbing
himself gently. "That is, if we are, we'll whip ourselves again, eh,
Rod?"

"Not so long as I can run!" assured Rod with emphasis. "I'm willing
t