Impelled by the wild alarm of the Willow's terrible cries and the sight of Pierrot dashing madly toward him from the dead body of Wakayoo, Baree did not stop running until it seemed as though his lungs could not draw another breath.

When he stopped, he was well out of the canyon and headed for the beaver pond.

For almost a week Baree had not been near the pond.

He had not forgotten Beaver Tooth and Umisk and the other little beavers, but Wakayoo and his daily catch of fresh fish had been too big a temptation for him.

Now Wakayoo was gone.