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missing!" Then Inger bellowed again for her calf. Gopher did not answer and she was nowhere to be seen. "The swamps. Gopher is lost in the swamps," cried Jody. Running in the direction of the soggy, wet land the boys searched frantically. But the calf was not to be found. Returning later, hungry and exhausted, they found their lunch pails and ate the sandwiches. As their stomaches were filled their courage returned. "That squaw must have the calf and we must get her," Peter decided. Finding a large limb and shaping it like a club the boys entered the chicket. Then they heard her voice. "Go away!" she said in plain English, with the same tone she had used on her Indian companions. "But we must have our calf!" explained Peter. "Go away. Go away." repeated the voice, This time the voice was a strong command. Now the boys moved away. They must decide upon a course of action. At last the decision was made. Jody was to climb a tree and watch the squaw, and watch for the calf, while Peter drove the cows home and found help. For Jody, perched in the tree, the minutes dragged into hours. The sun left the sky, birds became quiet, a pale moon appeared and owls flapped their wings as they landed on their prey. A coyote howled, but never a sound was heard in the willow thicket. At last Jody saw a light in the distance. Peter was coming down the trail with his lantern. Jody knew that Peter had been to the store for fuel for the latern. He heard voices, others were with him. "Jody, Jody," called Peter as they approached his perch. "Over here," answered Jody as he scampered down the tree. In his haste he almost fell upon the group. With Peter was tlans and father. Jody, now hungry and weary, felt like throw-ins himself into father's strong arms, but to be demonstrative - 31 - |
