IX
At sight of the approaching Muskman, Kutnar shouted a glad “Hi-yo!” and ran forward to meet him.
“You are too young to be traveling about alone,” said Gonch when the pair came together.
The boy pouted. “Do not worry. I can take care of myself.” He now bore an ax in addition to the sling and stone-pouch which he always carried. “I have not been alone long,” he added. “Wulli was with me. He strayed off somewhere, and I was just looking for him.”
“Wulli?”
“Yes, the Woolly Rhinoceros. That is the name we know him by. The Mammoth is Hairi.”
“They both passed me some time ago,” said the Muskman. “They were strolling side by side up the valley.” For obvious reasons he made no mention of the slough and what had occurred there. The part he had played had best be known to nobody but himself.
“Good,” said the boy, much relieved. “I heard squeals and thought that one of them might be in trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Gonch assured him. “They seemed quite happy and contented as they went away together. Strange why they should choose each other for companions. Are the two such good friends?”