Etzooah shook his head vigorously. “His canoe was loaded heavy.”
Etzooah accompanied them to the point where the current began to increase its pace preparatory to the first rapid.
“This the end my hunting-ground,” he said. “Too much work to come back up the rapids.” He saluted them courteously, and caused the little boy to do likewise. His parting remark was: “Tell the White Medicine Man Etzooah never forget he call him friend.”
“Well, we’ve found one gentleman among the Kakisas,” Stonor said to Clare, as they paddled on.
The first rapid was no great affair. There was plenty of water, and they were carried racing smoothly down between low rocky banks. Stonor named the place the Grumbler from the deep throaty sound it gave forth.
In quiet water below they discussed what they had heard.
“It gets thicker and thicker,” said Stonor. “It seems to me that Imbrie’s having been at the Horse Track lately must have had something to do with the chilly reception we received.”
“Why should it?” said Clare. “He has nothing to fear from the coming of anybody.”
“Then why did they say nothing about his visit?”
She shook her head. “You know I cannot fathom these people.”