Carcajou was busy examining the mud-and-stick wall of the chimney, which stuck up three feet above the roof. "I'm sure they've made it too small," he muttered; "I'll never be able to get down. That will be too bad. By my Cunning! but I'd like to know for sure--I will!" For nothing on earth will satisfy a Wolverine's curiosity but complete investigation.
He gave a spring, grabbed the top of the chimney with his strong fore-legs, and pulled himself up. As he did so the soft mud collapsed and sank with a tremendous crash through the hole in the roof, carrying the reckless animal with it.
"Run for it!" commanded Black King, sharply; "that mischievous Devil has made a mess of the business."
"Whif! Wuf! Whiff!" grunted Bear, plunging through the thicket.
Black Fox melted silently into the Forest darkness as swiftly as a cloud-shadow crosses a sunlit plain.
Lynx gathered his sinewy legs and fairly spurned the earth in far-reaching bounds.
Beaver had been sitting curled up in the bowl of Mooswa's antlers, peeping in the window at the time of Carcajou's mishap. His quick brain took in the situation. Grasping the two strong front points, he squeaked, "Fly, Mooswa!"
"Sit tight, Little Brother!" admonished the Moose, putting his nose straight out and laying the horn-crown back over his withers, as he rushed with a peculiar side-wheel action, like a pacing-horse, from the clearing.
When the crash came François jumped to his feet in amazement. Before he could investigate the mass of mud upheaved, a small dark-brown body scuttled across the floor, clattered up the wall, and vanished through the open window.
The Breed jumped for the door, grabbing a gun as he went. Throwing it open he rushed out, but of course there was nothing in sight. Wolverine was busily engaged in working his short legs to their full capacity in an earnest endeavour to place considerable territory between himself and the treacherous Shack.