LOADING THE CANOES
"You are my only son," sighed Light Between Clouds, gazing lovingly upon
the stalwart form of Hawk Eye. "You are the main support of your sister
and me. I am loath to give my consent. It is a long journey to the
trading post at Mendota."
"Black Eagle, my stepfather, is willing that I should go," broke in
Raven Wing.
"And what does Bending Willow say?" inquired Light Between Clouds.
"She agrees with my stepfather," answered Raven Wing.
"Then you have my permission to go," said Light Between Clouds, turning
to Hawk Eye. "And may the Great Spirit look kindly upon your adventure."
Without further words, she turned on her heel and walked toward a
nearby lodge.
"So your mother is willing that you should go," said Raven Wing.
"Yes, she has given her consent, as you have heard," answered Hawk Eye.
"Why did she leave us so suddenly?" asked Raven Wing, doubtfully.
"She has gone for moccasins, I think," replied Hawk Eye. "My grandmother
is skilful at making them; she always keeps a supply on hand."
"You have more pelts than I have," remarked Raven Wing, lingering a
moment to watch Hawk Eye deftly pack the skins in several bundles of
convenient size.
"We will need two canoes; yours and mine," said Hawk Eye. "But should
one be damaged during the trip, we can get along with one. We must lose
no time in starting."
"I will be ready as soon as you are," answered Raven Wing. He returned
to his lodge, gathered together his pelts, which were already packed in
several bundles, and carried them down to the river. Hawk Eye, having
more experience, attended to the loading of the frail vessels.
During the loading and packing, Ohitika, Hawk Eye's favorite dog,
watched the proceedings in silence. Except for an occasional wag of his
tail, he stood still, showing no impatience.
"I would like to take Ohitika," said Hawk Eye. "He is my favorite dog,
my friend. My father found him in a deserted Chippeway village five
years ago. He was but a puppy then, his mother and the rest of the
litter had been killed by wolves, and father discovered him lying in an
old woodchuck hole. Father bundled him in his blanket and brought him
home to me. I named him Ohitika because he was so brave even as a pup.
At first he was my playmate, but he has become my hunting companion. I
hate to leave him behind. But to make room for him it will be necessary
to place one of my packs in your canoe."
[Illustration: {Bow and arrows.}]
"That can easily be done," answered Raven Wing. "I have fewer packs than
you."
"I shall take my father's gun, also," went on Hawk Eye, as he
transferred a bundle of pelts to Raven Wing's canoe. "I am glad that I
have learned to use it. It is a fine gun, as Running Deer, my father,
often said. He was not given to boast of his prowess as a hunter, but
always claimed it was due to his gun that he rarely missed the mark."
"I must have a gun," cried Raven Wing. "A fine gun, like yours. Do you
think my stock of pelts will bring me one?"
"If you are clever at trading," answered Hawk Eye with a chuckle. "And
if not," he added kindly, "you shall have some of mine to fill in."
When the last pack had been carefully loaded, Hawk Eye looked critically
at his work. "You have displayed much skill," observed Black Eagle, who
came up at that moment.
"I took pains to watch the hunters load their craft at sunup," said Hawk
Eye.
"Safe carriage depends on good loading as well as skill with the
paddles," said Black Eagle. "Be sure you re-load as well after making
portage below Lac Qui Parle. You will come to a succession of rapids
after leaving the lake behind you."
Black Eagle might have said more had not Bending Willow at that point
arrived with a bundle.
"I have brought you maple sugar," she explained, handing the package to
Raven Wing. "'Tis some that I had on hand from the sugar camp."
[Illustration: {Map of Minnesota.}]
As she finished speaking, Light Between Clouds came running toward them.
"These dried buffalo tongues will come in handy should you not find
plenty of game," she cried, giving the bundle to Hawk Eye.
Sensing that the departure was at hand, Ohitika waited no longer, but
leaped lightly into his master's craft. Stepping into their canoes, the
boys raised their paddles, then dipped them into the water and made for
the middle of the river.