Why had Umisk and his little mates run away from him?
What had he done that they didn't want to make friends with him?
A great loneliness swept over him--a loneliness greater even than that of his first night away from his mother.

The last of the sun faded out of the sky as he stood there.

Darker shadows crept over the pond.
He looked into the forest, where night was gathering--and with another whining cry he slunk back into it.

He had not found friendship.

He had not found comradeship.