"Where?"
A dozen paces away was the balsam shelter they had built. But that was all. Not a track was left in the snow. The warm sun had obliterated every sign of their presence of a short time before!
If their own trail was gone what could he hope to find of Minnetaki's dainty foot-prints?
Deep down in his heart Rod prayed for guidance in this moment of terrible doubt.
CHAPTER IV
ROD FOLLOWS THE MAN-FOOTED BEAR
"I must wait until it is lighter," he said. He tried to control himself, to fortify himself with the assurance which he no longer felt.
"We will have breakfast," suggested Wabi. "We have cold meat and there will be no need of a fire."
Finishing before the others, Rod grasped his rifle and walked out from among the trees. Wabi made a movement as if to follow, but Mukoki held him back. There was a shrewd light in his eyes.
"He do better—alone," he warned.