Why, it'll be a regular picnic party!" Minnetaki's eyes were brimming with fun.
"Do you know," she said, "that Maballa thinks Mukoki is just about the nicest Indian that ever lived?
Oh, I'd be so glad if--if--" She puckered her mouth into a round, red O, and left Rod to guess the rest.

It was not difficult for him to understand.
"So would I," he cried.

Then he added, "Muky is the best fellow on earth." "And Maballa is just as good," said the girl loyally.
The boy held out his hand.
"Let's shake on that, Minnetaki! I'll handle Mukoki, you take care of Maballa.

What a picnic this next trip will be!" "And there'll be lots and lots of adventures, won't there ?" asked the girl a little anxiously.
"Plenty of them." Rod became immediately serious.

"This will be the most important of all our trips, Minnetaki, that is, if John Ball lives.