“I don’t know how I would vote on this question,” said Norman, “if we’d had proper provisions. But I don’t propose to live three more days on the ghost of salt pork. And, besides, we’ve got plenty of moose meat in camp. I’m not so keen about going to the Barren Lands as I was.”
This was why late that afternoon Colonel Howell was both surprised and glad to see his young friends trot into camp.
CHAPTER XVII
THE Gitchie Manitou WINS A RACE
Norman and Roy soon became restless and after a few days’ idleness asked Colonel Howell for permission to make their delayed visit to the Pointe aux Tremble Indian camp. The day set for this second relief expedition promised a continuation of clear dry weather. Almost duplicating their last provisions, the monoplane got away at dawn. At the last moment, Paul was substituted for Roy, and he and Norman made an uneventful flight directly up the river. This time a landing was made at the foot of the bluff on the smooth ice of the river. The provisions were distributed and then the two boys visited the cabin of the paralytic Indian.
“Chandler probably will be out running his trap line,” suggested Norman, “but he may be at home.”
Within the cabin they found only the Indian. To Norman’s surprise, the rusty traps still hung on the wall, with no sign of having been touched since he and Roy visited the cabin. Norman’s observing eye at once examined the other parts of the room.
In the bunk corner there was absolutely no change. He would have sworn that Chandler had not slept in the place since he returned. A sudden suspicion coming into Norman’s mind, he walked to the bunk corner of the room and pointed to the crevice from which they had taken the letter. The Indian grinned. Then Norman pointed to the curing boards, made motions with his hands to indicate a man of about Chandler’s build and other pantomimes of inquiry. The Indian responded with his usual grin, then shook his head. Norman’s jaw dropped.