"Well, if he is the only one against us we stand a good chance of winning."
"I'm going to have mamma and Wabigoon get him by themselves to-night," said the girl. "Papa will do anything on earth for her, and he thinks Wabi is the best boy on earth. Mamma says she will lock the door and won't let him out until he has given his promise. Oh, what a glorious time we'll have!"
"Perhaps he would go with us," suggested Rod.
"No, he couldn't leave the Post. If he went Wabi would have to stay."
Rod was counting on his fingers.
"That means six in our next expedition,—Wabi, Mukoki, John Ball and myself, and you and Maballa. Why, it'll be a regular picnic party!"
Minnetaki's eyes were brimming with fun.
"Do you know," she said, "that Maballa thinks Mukoki is just about the nicest Indian that ever lived? Oh, I'd be so glad if—if—"
She puckered her mouth into a round, red O, and left Rod to guess the rest. It was not difficult for him to understand.
"So would I," he cried. Then he added,