“Yes,” she said in a tone of decision, “we will go. We will waken the herders at once. Come on, let’s go.”
As they burst breathlessly into the cabin of their Eskimo herders, they received something of a shock. Since all the work of the day had long since been done, they had expected to find the entire group of four assembled in the cabin, or asleep in their bunks. But here was only old Terogloona and Attatak.
“Where’s Oatinna? Where’s Azazruk?” demanded Marian.
“Gone,” said Terogloona solemnly.
“Where? Go call them, quick!”
Terogloona did not move. He merely shrugged his shoulders and mumbled:
“No good. Gone long way. Bill Scarberry’s camp. No come back, say that one.”
“What!” exclaimed Marian in consternation. “Gone? Deserted us?”
“Eh-eh,” Terogloona nodded his head. “Say Bill Scarberry pay more money; more deer; say that one Oatinna, that one Azazruk. No good, that one Bill Scarberry, me think.” He shook his head solemnly. “Not listen that one Oatinna, that one Azazruk. Say wanna go. Go, that’s all.”
“Then we can’t start the herd,” murmured Marian, sinking down upon a rolled up sleeping-bag. “Yes, we will!” she exclaimed resolutely. “Terogloona, where are the rifles?”