"Feel better?" inquired Potts, tenderly.
"Now, Mac, you shall have a fair field," said the Colonel, "and if the Boy opens his trap again—"
"I'll punch 'im," promised O'Flynn, replenishing the disturber's cup.
But Mac wouldn't be drawn. Besides, he was feeding Kaviak. So the Colonel filled in the breach with "My old Kentucky Home," which he sang with much feeling, if not great art.
This performance restored harmony and a gentle reflectiveness.
Father Wills told about his journey up here ten years before and of a further expedition he'd once made far north to the Koyukuk.
"But Nicholas knows more about the native life and legends than anyone I ever met, except, of course, Yagorsha."
"Who's Yag——?" began the Boy.
"Oh, that's the Village Story-teller." He was about to speak of something else, but, lifting his eyes, he caught Mac's sudden glance of grudging attention. The priest looked away, and went on: "There's a story-teller in every settlement. He has always been a great figure in the native life, I believe, but now more than ever."
"Why's that?"