“Now let me get this straight,” said Bobby quickly, speaking in a low tone. “You mean that if we boys can manage to get hold of a boat, provision her, and get clear of the ship at eleven o’clock to-morrow night, by keeping the bow headed steadily northeast we can reach land?” The old Eskimo nodded eagerly.
“Yes, yes,” he whispered. “It is not dangerous, except in a storm.”
“Never mind the danger,” answered Bobby. “You spoke of a treasure. After we reach shore—if we do—what do we do then?”
“Find the natives—ask them for Mooloo—they will know—will take you to him—” Again Takyak stopped short, his hand pressed hard against his side.
“You shouldn’t talk,” Bobby protested pityingly. “Rest now.”
But Takyak again shook his head, his brows knitting as though in anger.
“I have no time to rest—yet,” he gasped. “Mooloo is a guide. He knows me—is faithful to me. If you tell him— Wait, I will give you this.” Then Bobby noticed for the first time that this strange old man wore a thin gold chain about his neck. From the end of this he now detached a peculiar looking object resembling a tooth, which, as it proved, was exactly what it was—the tooth of an animal, peculiarly marked.
Takyak’s trembling hand sought Bobby’s, dropping the token in the palm of it.
“Walrus tooth,” he explained haltingly. “Mooloo will know it—will know you are friend of mine—will lead you to the wreck.”
“Yes?” cried Bobby, unable longer to restrain his eagerness. “The wreck where the treasure was hidden?”