"What have we there?" cried Harry, as they neared the spot.
"Our yaks! And where do you suppose they have been?"
Close by the wagon were the yaks, as though patiently waiting for the boys. They made no resistance, nor show of fright, when the boys approached. One of them, Jack, still had the strap tied to the horns, and it was the halter which had been attached to the tree at South River.
A hasty examination was made, but if either of the boys came to any conclusion concerning it, nothing was said. Without wasting time, the team brought with them was yoked up and the broken wheel replaced by a new one. The repairs to the wagon tongue did not take long, and they were ready for the return.
"What shall we do with Jack and Jill?" Those were the names bestowed on the first team. "Let us see if they will follow us."
They had gone fully one hundred feet before the yaks made any sign, and then slowly followed, thus assuring them that no care or attention would be required in that direction. Both boys were intensely delighted at the recovery of their favorites and could not get home fast enough to give the Professor the good news.
Nearing home, the Professor, who was on the watch, came out to meet them, waving his hat at the sight of Jack and Jill. When the latter came up he went over and affectionately petted the creatures, who seemed to realize the welcome.
"I hope they are as glad as we are; I can understand why they got away; look at the end of this thong." It plainly showed the teeth of some animal which had gnawed the leather of which it was made.
"So you have been out prospecting, too?" was Harry's query, as he saw the queer-looking reeds on the table in the laboratory that evening. "What do you call that?"
"Our honey has been getting low, and I took the occasion to-day to bring in some samples of sugar."