"Say, Van," said Rolf, (Van Cortlandt had suggested this
abbreviation) "you'll never stand right with Quonab till you kill
a deer."

"I've done some trying."

"Well, now, we'll go out to-morrow evening and try once more.
What do you think of the weather, Quonab? "

"Storm begin noon and last three days," was the brief answer, as
the red man walked away.

"That settles it," said Rolf; "we wait."

Van was surprised, and all the more so when in an hour the sky
grew black and heavy rain set in, with squalls.

"How in the name of Belshazzar's weather bugler does he tell?"

"I guess you better not ask him, if you want to know. I'll find
out and tell you later."

Rolf learned, not easily or at single talk:

"Yesterday the chipmunks worked hard; to-day there are none to be
seen.

"Yesterday the loons were wailing; now they are still, and no
small birds are about.