The day after the feast it was still very cold, but there were signs of
spring in the air. When Menie went out to feed the dogs, he saw a flock
of ravens flying north, and Koko saw some sea-birds on the same day.
Two days after that, when the twins and Koko were all three playing
together on the Big Rock, they saw a huge iceberg float lazily by.
It had broken away from a glacier, farther north, and was drifting
slowly toward the Southern Sea. It gleamed in the sun like a great ice
palace.
One morning the air was thick with fog. When Kesshoo saw the fog he
said, "This would be a great day to hunt reindeer."
"Oh, let me go with you!" cried Menie.
Monnie knew better than to ask. She knew very well she would never be
allowed to go.
Kesshoo thought a little before he answered. Then he said, "If Koko's
father will go, too, you and Koko may both go with us. You are pretty
small to go hunting, but boys cannot begin too early to learn."
Menie was wild with joy. He rushed to Koko's house and told him and his
father what Kesshoo had said.
When he had finished, Koko's father said at once, "Tell Kesshoo we will
go."
It was not long before they were ready to start. Kesshoo had his great
bow, and arrows, and a spear. He also had his bird dart. Koko's father
had his bow and spear and dart, too. Menie had his little bow and
arrows.
Kesshoo put a harness on Tooky and tied the end of Tooky's harness
trace around Menie's waist. Koko's father had brought his best dog,
too, and Koko was fastened to the end of that dog's harness in the same
way.
Then the four hunters started on their journey--Menie and Koko driving
the dogs in front of them.
Monnie stood on the Big Rock and watched them until they were out of
sight in the fog. Nip and Tup were with her. They wanted to go as much
as Monnie did and she had hard work to keep them from following after
the hunters.