WONGO and Kaw found Cho-gay, the Indian boy, in front of his cave, cutting raw-hide into long strips—to make traps, he told them. He was plainly very glad to see them. Cho-gay had lived in Timbertangle since most of the animals could remember, though how he came there was a mystery to all but Kaw, who seemed to know everything. The little Indian boy was at home and on friendly terms with all animals and birds who attended to their own proper business, but it was well known that when a law of the woods or desert was broken, Cho-gay did all he could to hunt down and punish the wrong-doer, so he had some enemies, but many friends, in Timbertangle. When the two visitors had made themselves comfortable on the rock in front of his cave, Cho-gay brought out a handful of seeds for the crow and for the bear some ripe berries from a little patch he had managed to keep green in spite of the terrible drouth.
After the manner of Indians, the animals were[154] silent for some time, and did not immediately come to the reason for their visit, but finally Kaw spoke:
“Chu-ta-win, the eagle, is a friend of yours, isn’t he, Cho-gay?”
“Yes,” answered Cho-gay, “the eagle and I are good friends. He really owes his life to me.”
“As I thought,” said Kaw. “Would he do big things for you?”
“I think he would do anything I’d ask,” answered the Indian boy. “Why?”
“Umm-m,” said Kaw, without answering the question. “Do you know where he is?”
“I can whistle for him. We have a signal. If he doesn’t hear, there are those who carry the message to him.”
“Suppose you whistle now,” said Kaw. “No—on second thought don’t! Chu-ta-win and I are not exactly on friendly terms; he had better not see me, just yet. I have a scheme on foot and it would be best for no one to know just what it is but myself. I’ll tell you this much—I’m after water—much water—and I want to know if you two are willing to trust me and ask no questions.”
“Yes!” answered Cho-gay and Wongo at the same moment, and this ready answer plainly pleased the old crow very much. He gave a sigh of relief.
[155]“Well, that’s settled. Now for business. You, Wongo, must go up to the top of Skull-top mountain and on the bald spot that you know of there, make the biggest, thickest bed of leaves you ever made in your life.”
Wongo sat back on his haunches and his jaw dropped open.
“What on earth—” he began, and stopped short, for Kaw cocked his head on one side and snapped out:
“What did I say—
Now there you go—
Just right away,
’Twas ever so.
Instead of going to your task,
You simply sit and gape, and ask!”
“Well,” answered Wongo, a trifle sheepishly, “you didn’t want me to rush right off now, did you?”
“Yes,” Kaw remarked dryly. “It will take you quite a while to get up the mountain and longer to gather the leaves. Make the pile big and deep, mind you.”
“But can’t I hear what Cho-gay is going to do, first?”
“No,” said Kaw, “you’ll hear all about that[156] later. Run along now, for your job’s very important.”
Wongo left them, going very slowly, it is true, and with many a backward glance at the two. Kaw chuckled to himself:
“A good, kindly friend, my little bear,
Always good natured and merry;
Anything doing, he’s sure to be there;
But curious—? Very—Oh, VERY!”
He chuckled again and turned to Cho-gay:
“I want Chu-ta-win, the eagle, to take you to the Up-above Country. Have you ever been?” pointing to the clouds.
“No, I haven’t,” said Cho-gay. “Why in the world do you want me to go up there, and what would I do after I got there? You’re asking much, friend Kaw.”
“You promised to do as I said and not ask questions. Are you going back on your word?”
“No,” answered Cho-gay slowly. “Go on.”
[157]
 
Wongo left them, going very slowly
 
[158]“I’ll tell you what we are going for on the way up,” went on Kaw, “and as for what you will do, well, I’ll be there too, you see, and I’ll tell you that at the time. Tell Chu-ta-win to take you up, as you have important business in the Cloud Country. Suppose you call him now. There[159] is no time to lose, as we are, if we succeed, about to do a service for Timbertangle that will never be forgotten.”
“If it’s a real adventure,” said Cho-gay, “I’m for it,” and he gave a clear, shrill whistle which was repeated some distance away and then again far off in the forest.
“I’ll just step inside your cave while you talk with Chu-ta-win,” said Kaw, and suiting the action to the word he hopped into the cave-mouth.
After a short interval, there came a rush of wind, and Kaw knew that the great eagle had arrived.
“You called for me, little brother,” said a voice, and Cho-gay answered:
“Yes, Chu-ta-win, I have a great favor to ask.”
“You have only to name it, little brother. My bones would have been drying on Skull-top mountain, if it had not been for you, and my heart is grateful. What is it that I can do for you?”
“I have some imp............