"That's all right," agreed the woodsman, his eyes narrowing; "but how about the girl, then?"
But Dick exhibited no uneasiness. He merely grinned broadly.
"Well, what about the girl? That's what I've been telling you. Strikes me that's one of your troubles."
Half-satisfied, the veteran fell silent. Shortly after he made an opportunity to speak to May-may-gwán.
"All is well, Little Sister?" he inquired.
"All is well," she replied; "we have finished the parkas, the sledges, the snow-shoes, the blankets, and we have made much food."
"And Jibiwánisi?"
"His foot is nearly healed. Yesterday he walked to the Big Pool and back. To-day, even this afternoon, Little Father, the Black Spirit left him so that he has been gay."
Convinced that the restored good feeling was the result rather of Dick's volatile nature than of too good an understanding, the old man left the subject.
"Little Sister," he went on, "soon we are going to take the winter trail. It may be that we will have to travel rapidly. It may be that food will be scarce. I think it best that you do not go with us."