"Well, well," exclaimed Black Fox, "in the Year of Starvation there is no preserve. We hunt where we find, and eat where we catch; and only the Kit-law and the Cub-law, and the Seventh Year Law of the Wapoos is binding."
Blue Wolf disappeared for three days; and for three days Umisk cut wood for The Boy, and Carcajou dropped it down the chimney. Mooswa went every day and rubbed his horns against the door. The coming of his Moose friend was also a part of the angel care the wounded boy had dreamed into his life. His eager joy at even this companionship was pitiable; but it was something to look forward to--something to pull him back out of the deeper levels of delirium-world.
Nekik, the Otter, caught a fish, at Mooswa's request, and Carcajou dropped it down the chimney.
"It will burn," objected Umisk, who was cutting wood.
"Then The Boy will find it with his nose," answered Carcajou.
After that Roderick asked the angels to bring him fish--it was better than bacon. They were queer angels, Nekik and Carcajou, but the sick lad got a fish every day.
On the third day Blue Wolf returned. "I found one of the Men-kind down the river," he announced to Mooswa and Black Fox; "he is trapping alone, I think."
"Well," queried Black King, "what of that?" for he did not quite understand.
"If we could get him to The Boy I thought it might be well," answered Blue Wolf.
"Ah! I see," cried the King. "That's why the Pack hunted for three days in the far Boundaries."